What: Theatre Under the Stars' "Dream Outloud Celebration" benefiting The River Performing and Visual Arts Center.
Where: The Junior League of Houston.
The 411: While blind and autistic musical savant Rex Lewis-Clack wowed the gathering of 260 with his piano talents, it was the students from The River Performance Troupe, which includes students from TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, who brought the house down with their interpretation of Alesso’s “Heroes."
In from Southern California, Lewis-Clack and his mother, Cathleen Lewis, received the annual Sammy Award for their dedication to advocating for individuals with disabilities. The award is named after Samantha Binstock, who while dealing with cystic fibrosis was inspiration for establishment of The River by her parents, Cathy and Bob Binstock. After the award presentation, Samantha, now married and a college student, spoke on the value of The River experience.
The dinner evening was chaired by Robin and Danny Klaes with Joan Cohen and Kerry Gerachis serving as honorary chairs. Sunny 99.1's Dana Tyson held the reins as emcee while Jeff Smith wielded the gavel as auctioneer.
Who: Lenjen Go and Charlie Thomas, Gracey and Mike Hall, Meredith Phillip-Tcholakian, Marsha Taylor, Cori and John Paul Stevenson, Amy Pierce, Becky and Bart McAndrews and Susan and Daryl Grieger.
Shelly Smith Hendry, left, and Amy Pierce.
