Berkeley Repertory Theatre achieves Charity Navigator’s 4 stars! This means that your tax-deductible gift is put to work effectively to bring award-winning theatre productions and education programs to our community.
save the date for our next onstage!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Contact Margo Chilless at 510 647–2909 or mchilless@berkeleyrep.org to reserve your table today!
special thanks to our 2010 sponsors
Limelight Sponsor
Spotlight Sponsors
Chevron
The Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trusts and Jean & Michael Strunsky
Meyer Sound
Marjorie Randolph
The Roda Group
Richard A. Rubin & H. Marcia Smolens and Michael & Sue Steinberg
Felicia Woytak & Steve Rasmussen
Footlight Sponsors
Bank of America
Bank of the West
Bregante + Company LLP
CB Richard Ellis
Charles Schwab & Co.
Oz Erickson & Rina Alcalay
Bill Falik & Diana Cohen and Peter Pervere & Georgia Cassel
Scott & Sherry Haber
Julie Matlof Kennedy & Patrick Kennedy and Panoramic Interests
Pearl T. Kimura
Latham & Watkins LLP
Luminous Capital
MBV Law LLP
Mechanics Bank
Target Corporation
Union Bank
Julie M. Weinstein
In-kind Sponsors
Café Fanny
Cardstore.com
Charles de Fére
Club One Fitness
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine
Copper Leaf Productions
Five Vintners Wines
Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi
Grace Street Catering
H Julien Designs
Hartman Studios
John Murray Productions
Match Vineyards
Meyer Sound
Nick Sciabica & Sons
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Quady Winery
Raymond Vineyards
SAFEWAY
Semifreddi’s
Solstice Press
Spy Valley Wines
St. George Spirits
TCHO
highlights from the 2010 gala
What happens at Berkeley Rep stays ONSTAGE!
The Roda Theatre is no stranger to hosting sold-out performances, and the world premiere of Berkeley Rep’s new gala, ONSTAGE!—a deliciously theatrical gala to benefit Berkeley Rep—was no exception. On Saturday, April 24, the spotlight on the newly transformed Roda stage shone on 320 guests celebrating Berkeley Rep’s extraordinary year, as well as honoring Managing Director Susan Medak’s 20 seasons of leadership.
Last season, after 17 years of toasts, Founding Trustee Narsai David retired his apron as host of the annual gourmet gala, The Narsai Toast. This season, Berkeley Rep brought the new gala home in style—and on stage! Amid the surroundings of the theatre, there was no mistaking why guests were there—to support Berkeley Rep. Event designer Copper Leaf Productions created a dazzling Roda lobby and courtyard filled with images of past season productions. The lobby windows and walls were inscribed with excerpts from scripts. Guests mingled throughout, tasting exquisite wine from Charles de Fère, Five Vintners and Spy Valley, or sampling cocktails from St. George Spirits. In between sips, patrons noted six enticing raffle packages, which included trips to Paris and the wine country. Guests also had the opportunity to bid in the Theatre’s first online auction, featuring an Epiphone guitar signed by Green Day and the American Idiot cast.
A surprise greeted guests when the doors to the theatre opened, revealing the Roda stage as no one had ever seen it before. Dramatically washed in red lighting, the stage swept out over the entire orchestra, turning the space into an elaborate ballroom. Enormous white globes were suspended from the ceiling, and images of eyes (of actors who have graced our stages) surrounded the space, a clever twist on guests used to being members of the audience now taking centerstage. The sound of applause welcomed guests as they made their way into the space.
Every minute spent onstage was a reminder of the productions that had come before, and in keeping with the Theatre’s commitment to environment sustainability, the table décor featured cleverly repurposed scripts and show posters. Even the napkin rings were made out of past show bookmarks. Once inside, the true production began. Recognizing that not only great theatre happens in Berkeley, but also great food, guests dined on a sensational four-course meal prepared by chefs from the Chez Panisse family: Charlene Reis of Summer Kitchen Bake Shop, Charlie Hallowell of Pizzaiolo, Jean-Pierre Moullé of Chez Panisse and Mary Canales and Mattea Soreng of Ici Ice Cream. Match Vineyards, Quady Winery, Raymond Vineyards and Spy Valley Wines paired fine wines with each course, creating an unforgettable feast.
The highlight of the evening came when Managing Director Susan Medak was honored for her two decades of leadership at Berkeley Rep. In a video highlighting her extraordinary accomplishments she enjoyed some good-hearted ribbing by her partner in crime, Artistic Director Tony Taccone, and received praise from members of the community, including Rita Moreno, State Senator Loni Hancock and former Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.
The evening concluded with a live auction and a chance to “raise your paddle” in support of Berkeley Rep’s fellowship program. Overall, the evening left an unforgettable impression on guests. According to Felicia Woytak, the board member who chaired the gala, “This was a thrilling evening, one that exemplified Berkeley Rep’s innovative spirit and celebrated the Theatre’s place on the national stage. We’re so grateful to everyone who supported this inaugural event and joined us to toast Susie on her achievements.”
(by Sarah Nowicki, printed in the Berkeley Rep Magazine 2009–10, Issue 7)
To see more photos from the gala, visit the Berkeley Rep blog.
event photos
Below are a few pictures from the ONSTAGE! gala, held on April 24, 2010. You can use these thumbnails to scroll down the page to a specific photo.
