June 5, 2002
Black and White colorful benefit for TC playhouse
Old Town Playhouse gala raises $45,000 for theater renovations
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Saturday evening, the place to be was the Black & White Gala, where food and fun, fashion and fellowship were given an upscale twist.
More than 200 attendees attended the glittering event at the Frog Pond Village in Interlochen, which featured champagne, gourmet food and cabaret-style entertainment. A silent auction during the cocktail hour included items ranging from trips, artwork and symphony tickets to jewelry, furniture and household tools.
The Black & White Gala raised $45,000 for the playhouse, which will be used in part to replace the seating for the main stage.
"This will be just a huge boost in the arm to move that project forward," said Mary Gillett, executive director of the Old Town Playhouse. "We're very, very happy with everything from the gala, the show was marvelous and the decorations were wonderful."
"We're always just honored and thrilled with the support from the community for this event," she noted.
Besides an appearance by the mime Toma, also known as Tom Johnson, the evening's entertainment featured a brass ensemble and a stage show coordinated for the second year by Larry Avery.
The musician and former owner of Dill's, Avery brought his trademark nightclub style to the Black & White Gala for the second year. Drawing on his years of experience with the Golden Garters Revue, Avery pulled together a who's who of local talent: Kelly Curtis, Brian Dungjen, Brett Nichols, Miriam Pico and Diana Morgan to name a few.
"It's a blast, a creative challenge because the quality of people who come and audition are generally regulars at the playhouse," Avery said of the 11 entertainers and three-piece band. "The show is no more than a showcase of their talent in a format that is hopefully going to be light, fun, funny emotional and entertaining."
Avery recalled that before last year's show he was not sure how his style would be received. Knowing he had a seasoned audience filled with Broadway lovers, he was not sure how his nightclub background would fit.
"I just did what I thought would be fun and entertaining, upbeat music that would stir people's memories," he said.
With two shows under his belt now, both Avery and the performers are happy with their efforts and the audience reaction.
"For all the time and effort they put into it, it was a very warm feeling from the audience," Avery said. "They gave the group a standing ovation after the show and it was really an outpouring."
The Black & White Gala featured show tunes, some well known and some more obscure. This year, Avery deliberately chose some lesser-known tunes to highlight some of his performer's talents.
Kelly Curtis is one of the performers who appreciated this.
"I enjoy the cabaret because it gives you a chance to do songs from musicals that probably won't happen in Traverse City, like one of the songs from Ragtime," said Curtis, who has been involved with the Old Town Playhouse for 19 years. "It was a very comic theme this year and the audience ate it up."
Avery and his entertainers pulled the show together in two weeks, staging an high-octane schedule of rehearsals to get ready.
"It was a very intense two weeks and really keeps you on your toes," Curtis said. "It is a little bit more nerve-wracking because you don't have the prep time and you only have one shot at it. There's no second night to say, 'I'll do better tomorrow,' so you have to give it your all right now."