(Photo By Alicia Donelan)
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS
Serves Up Sardi's Sensation
AT ITS 11TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
An Evening of Dinner, Live Music and Entertainment at the Kravis Center
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4th ANNUAL SHELLY AWARD GIVEN TO MARK PERLBERG
More than 250 guests promenaded the red carpet at the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavilion on Saturday, March 19th for a superb dinner "a la Sardi's" with dazzling entertainment - in celebration and support of West Palm Beach's longest residing theater company - Palm Beach Dramaworks.
Co-chaired by Palm Beach super couple, Ralph and Calla Guild, the evening's Manhattan tone was set from the onset when during cocktails, six of Broadway's greatest hit shows had their original theatre posters on display and the legendary artist Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo was on hand to autograph the posters for their lucky new owners. Then after a musical fanfare, guests could not believe their eyes as they were magically transported into the most famous theatre restaurant in the world, the incomparable Sardi's. Over twenty show biz famous faces - all from the original Sardi's caricatures and larger than life--- circled the walls of the grand ballroom with countless others on every table--- to re-create Broadway's acclaimed restaurant. The evening continued with Producing Artistic Director William Hayes inviting Joan Gross to the stage, and both honored long-time supporter and Palm Beach Dramaworks Board President, Mark Perlberg with the fourth annual "Shelly Award"-an award in Joan's late husband's name, given to a dedicated individual who has made an extraordinary commitment to developing and supporting the theatre community in South Florida.
Live music by the popular Platinum Band had guests toe-tapping while enjoying the restaurant setting, glowing in shades of Sardi's famous iridescent red and gold light. Tables were topped with prize-winning sky high orchids (courtesy of PRA Orchids) with additional décor, courtesy of Richard Grille and The Design Studio at the Breakers,) --- a perfect setting for the evening of surprises. Sponsors and underwriters were graciously acknowledged and gala chairman Ralph Guild further welcomed the guests and thanked his gala committee including: Patricia Bradshaw, Pat Cook, Peter Cromarty, Esther Dinerstein, Rita and Gus Hauser, Sally Ann Howes, Rhoda Kleid, Dorothy Lappin, Carlton Moody, Elizabeth Neuhoff, Jo Ann Pflug, Faith Schulstrom, Linda & Donald Silpe and Chet Tart. He then introduced noted musical entertainer Wayne Hosford, who wowed the crowd with his soaring voice, piano musicianship and witty banter. A sumptuous dinner followed (catered by Special Impressions), starring a toasted hazelnut, fig and goat cheese salad, followed by chicken napoleon encroute stuffed with wild rice and exotic mustrooms-only to be upstaged by individual New York style cheekcakes with dark and white chocolate ganache.
The event's Grand Benefactors, Susan Bloom and Sydelle Meyer along with Elfriede Grevendick and Virginia Sand, the evening's honorary chairwomen.---toasted Sardi's owner Max Klimavicius, who graciously granted permission to use the restaurants well known logo, elements of the restaurant, and their legendary caricatures as themes for the gala. The annual effort, which raised in excess of $250,000, was the Company's most successful fundraiser in their eleven year history, and it filled the Cohen Pavilion ballroom with both new-found theater lovers and devoted generous patrons including Calla & Ralph Guild, Joan Gross, Susan Bloom, Steve Caras, Bud Tamarkin, Elfriede Grevendick, Esther & Sid Dinerstein, Marilyn Meyerhoff & Sam Feldman, Miriam & Alec Flamm, Denise & Bill Meyer, Nancy & Jay Parker, Dorothy Lappin & Sy Malamed, Rita & Gus Hauser, Helen & Arnold Hoffman, Wileen Coyne, Marjorie & Norman Feinstein, Sally Ann Howes & Douglas Rae, Tarne & Barrie Ingham, Patricia Bradshaw, Rhoda & Dick Kleid, Ellen Liman & Terry Liebman, Zelda & Allan Mason, Beth & Geoff Neuhoff, Paulette Cooper & Paul Noble, Susan & William Engelman, Mayor Lois Frankel, Ann & Harland Riker, J. David Veselsky & Kenneth B. Elias, Ed Ricci, Hermine Drezner & Jan Winkler, Dr. Sidney A. Lesowitz & Peter Rogers, Diane & Mark Perlberg, Linda & Don Silpe, Selma & Joe Sitrick, Lola Goldring, Myrna Baskin, Rachel Grody, Marie Hale & Ed Sandall, Tim Harris & Michael Bakst, Ann Marie & Peter Rezzonico, Shari Santell, Pam & Brian McIver, Roe Green, Priscilla Heublin, Holly & Ed Ricci, Peter Cromarty and Scott Velozo & Stephen Mooney among many others along with Palm Beach Dramaworks Producing Artistic Director William Hayes, Managing Director Sue Ellen Beryl and Nanique Gheridian, Company Manager.
