Theatre Aspen Hosts Annual Costume Gala

Theatre Aspen announced that its annual costume fundraiser last Saturday, March 8th, was the organization's most successful to date, raising more than $350,000 in support of the theatre's productions and educational initiatives. The gala was a sellout for the second consecutive year, featuring the theme HOT! HOT! HOT! and entertaining over 250 guests at the Hotel Jerome, with dinner, DJ, silent and live auctions, entertainment and dancing. Guest auctioneer Robbie Gordy, of New York-based Christie's, led the most successful live auction in the history of the organization, and singer Nikki Boxer brought down the house with songs from the upcoming production of CABARET.

Executive Artistic Director Paige Price officially announced the 2015 season, which opens June 26th at the Hurst Theatre. The Tony Award-winning musical CABARET will play in repertory along with Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities, as well as the family-friendly romp, Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice. Younger audiences will be treated to Junie B. Jones The Musical, based on the Barbara Park book series, which will be presented on weekend mornings. Price also announced the new Aspen Theatre Festival, which will support emerging and established creative teams developing new work for the American theatre canon, through readings, workshops and productions. This year's Festival will run August 23 through 28, 2015 as the finale of an extended main stage season.

Longtime board member Betty Gates was honored at the gala for her dedication and support to Theatre Aspen and many arts organizations in Aspen, including Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Les Dames d'Aspen.

Gala Chair and Board Vice-President Kimberly Schlosser led all efforts to make the evening a success, as well as a memorable event for everyone in attendance. "At this year's gala, we celebrated everything HOT! about Theatre Aspen. As always, it was an unforgettable evening full of excitement, brilliant costumes, passionate Theatre Aspen supporters and lots of money raised for a deserving organization," said Schlosser.

Theatre Aspen's winter gala is the not-for-profit's most important fundraising event, raising money for extensive year-round theatre education and award-winning summer repertory theatre, as well as the new Aspen Theatre Festival. Season passes will go on sale April 1st.

Sponsors of the gala included Melanie Sturm and Mark Zachary, ANB Bank, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Christie's and Aspen Magazine, with additional support by Mountain Flowers.

For more information call 970-925-9313 or visit www.theatreaspen.org.

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