Marie Antoinette's champagne — Piper-Heidsieck —flowed. The royals (real ones) showed up. Wigs were a fashion must. Yep, Stages Repertory Theatre knows how to party and party they did in the posh Upper Kirby club Crimson in celebration of the current production of Marie Antoinette.
For starters, event chair Magan M. Hunt channeled the "Let them eat cake" queen in an opulent Versailles-inspired gown, created by costume designer Jennifer Jo Leva. To complete the fantasy, Houston Jewelry provided Hunt with a replica of the Hope Diamond (remember that curse that supposedly resulted in the lady losing her head) as well as lavish rings and pave diamond earrings.
"Enough bling to make any lady feel like a queen," Hunt noted.
Vying with Hunt for most costumed femme was host committee member Vivian Wise, who donned a 3-foot high pink wig, adorned with gilded ribbons and butterflies, created for the occasion by Ceron. Fady Armanious and Michael Pearce contributed to the party fun by wearing playful white wigs.
Topping the royalty scene was Houston grand dame Joanne King Herring, also on the host committee, who brought along a handful of titled blue bloods. In her regal posse were Archduchess of Austria Maria-Anna Galitzine and Russian Prince Piotr Galitzine and their daughter, Princess Tatiana Galitzine, and French Duchess Catherine du Gramont. No bowing necessary.
Host committee members John Thrash, David Peck and chef Philippe Schmit mixed in the gathering where Stages producing artistic director Kenn McLaughlin held court, so to speak.
Among those joining the party and supping on light bites from Brasserie 19 were Houston Jewelry's Maggie and Rex Solomon, George Lancaster, Sally and Philip Edmundson, Nixon Wheat, Vicki Rizzo, Mauri Oliver, Kate McConnico, Judy and Jim Nicklos, Matt Burrus and Elaine and Ray Messer.
Princess Tatiana Galitzine, from left, Joanne King Herring, Duchess Catherine de Gramont and John Moore Jones.
