(Re)living the history
What a season we’re having! Amazing performances, mesmerizing events,
wonderful friends—the Auditorium Theatre’s 125th Anniversary has already
surpassed its lofty expectations thus far…and it’s only half over! One of our
greatest achievements of the last six months was our tremendously well-received
gala event on December 9, “Living the History: 125 Years of the Auditorium
Theatre.”
We are pleased to say that approximately 600 people
attended the gala benefit on December 9 and helped create one of the most
memorable events in the Auditorium Theatre’s long and illustrious
history. Hosted by the incomparable John Mahoney, the spectacular entertainment
for the Auditorium Theatre’s 125th gala paid homage to our long
history of exceptional programming, and included: the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, the Lyric
Opera of Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the
Apollo Chorus of Chicago, and the All-Star Chicago Rock Band composed of legendary Chicago musicians. In a scheduling coup of pure symmetry, one of
the headliners, the world-renowned and Tony-Award winning Broadway sensation,
Ms. Patti LuPone, happens to be the great-grandniece (and namesake) of Adelina
Patti, the opera star who performed on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage during
opening night in 1889. Her performance
was truly remarkable, and all of the artists who graced our stage on that
triumphant evening astonished the crowd with their incandescent talent and
impeccable craft.
From the exquisite performances to the post-show
reception and dinner at the Palmer House Hilton, the Auditorium’s 125th
Anniversary Gala Celebration was a magical evening that ultimately raised over
$500,000 for our National Historic Landmark.
However, it was a night that never could have been possible without dear
friends like you. On behalf of the
entire Auditorium Theatre, we would like to thank our gala sponsor, the
Pasquinelli Family Foundation, and all those patrons, performers, and friends
(including our dinner co-chairs Joan Colmar, Helen Melchior, and Phil Lumpkin)
who made the event such a rousing success.
Together, we truly lived the history.
