Sizzling raffle prizes, including several exotic trips, helped raise more than $500,000 for the Goodman Theatre at its annual dinner Saturday night at the Fairmont Hotel.
More than 600 people attended the black-tie soiree, called “Moonlight Becomes You.” A cocktail hour launched the evening, which was conceived by co-chairs Susan Wislow and Susan Underwood and sponsored by the theater’s Women’s Board.
The theme was romance, which was delivered in spades by Mary Cleere Haran, who sang love themes from the movies of the ’30, ’40s and ’50s (and who especially wowed the crowd with her rendition of the theme from the Cary Grant tearjerker “An Affair to Remember”). She was accompanied by musical director Richard Rodney Bennett.
The dining room was softly lit, with tables decorated with white roses and tulips. After dining on guinea fowl and swaying through the night to the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, guests departed with Haran’s compact disc and chocolate truffles. Money raised will go toward the theater’s educational programs.
– The first floor of the State Street side of Marshall Field’s was transformed into an elegant dining room for about 460 guests Friday night. The annual “Flowering Field’s Gala” charity benefit is held in conjunction with the department store’s flower show; this year the store raised money for Urban Gateways: The Center for Arts in Education.
As the black-tie crowd sat among the cosmetics and perfume counters, a chicken Wellington dinner was served while a harpist entertained. Makeshift bars were situated on the countertops.
The festivities began with a cocktail reception in the Walnut Room, where Ann Barzel was honored with the Jesse Woods Award for her career as a dance teacher, critic and historian. Guests nibbled on ostrich chili and watched as models presented fashions by designers such as Missoni until Barzel’s award was presented by Libby Chiu.
Making the scene were socialite Sugar Rautbord and Marshall Field’s Dan Skoda and his wife, Roberta. A raffle and the $250-per-person ticket price raised about $150,000.
– Coming up: The Apple Tree Theatre celebrates its 15th anniversary with a gala dinner May 3 at the Drake Hotel. The benefit will include a silent auction and entertainment from artists who have performed at the Apple Tree in the past, including Ross Lehman of Broadway’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and Jessica Boevers, who is currently performing in “Rent.”
Carol Sigesmund chairs this year’s event. Tickets are $125 per person. Call 847-432-5433.
———-
Please submit items in writing three weeks in advance to the Chicago Tribune, Amanda Barrett Hamel, Places, Parties, People, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL. 60611.
