Giant Penis Party?

Is that a giant penis? Wild art party gives the middle finger to traditional stuffy galas

Let's just say that the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art gives a playful middle finger to the traditional stuffy black-tie gala, evident from Jeff Kalina's outfit — which from afar may or may not have resembled a giant upright penis on his head.

Then there were Christopher Mendel, Don Mafrige Jr., David Haynes and William Westhoff as a hunky quartet of "hand-z men," Cali and Peter Pettigrew donning giant playing cards for their "winning hand" costume and Jamie and Patrick Stewart as mimes complete with striped tops and white gloves.

A pastry hand topping the first course and a white chocolate hand over a cake dome for dessert, which some, after more than a few top shelf cocktails, dubbed "hands on my chocolate balls" or "fondle my fondant" . . . are you seeing a theme here?

More hints: Palm massages, fingerprint analysis, handcrafted items in the silent auction, an invitation that included a fabulous archival pigment print by Wanda Alexander titled At Hand, shadow puppets courtesy of BooTown and an amazing performance by sand story artist Joe Castillo, who most would recognize as an act that was featured in Season Seven of America's Got Talent.

The 600 party goers contributed more than $600,000 to the Orange Show's kitty.

For "Celebrate the Hand" Saturday at the Heritage Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel, the Orange Show did away with the usual party chairs and instead opted for a sizable gala committee of some 38 artsy patrons, among them Marilyn Oshman, Suzi Simons, Lane Schultz, Lance Rosmarin, Mary Cullen and many others, too many to list. The symbol of the hand honored the creative impulses of the creators of the Orange Show Monument, the Beer Can House, the Houston Art Car Parade and Smither Park — four signature components of the nonprofit that believes anyone can be an artist.

So naturally guests felt the urge to express themselves in their habiliments — J. Michael Soliz as a foxy Madonna, Karen and Marty Skolnik appropriately in elaborate Día de los Muertos attire, Carlos Hernandez as a bloody nun and more than we could count with orange accouterments, including Orange Show officials sporting orange hand prints all over their white lab coats — and on the dance floor. Because no one could resist the lively beats of The Celebrity All Star Band from Atlanta.

In part thanks to art by Jesus Morales, James Surls, Angelbert Metoyer, Richard Burton, Ed Wilson and Ryan Geiger, the 600 party goers contributed more than $600,000 to the Orange Show's kitty.

Two thumbs up goes to Curry Glassell, McKay Otto, Keith Coffee, Whit Adams, Pat Adams, Claire Cusack, Fady Armanious, Vivian Wise, Marcy De Luna, Rob Rutherford, Kathryn and Michael Moore, Todd and Heather Sutherland and Joelle and Alan Vermeulen.

Patrick Renner, from left, Carlos Hernandez and Dennis McNett.

Photo by © Morris Malakoff

Patrick Renner, from left, Carlos Hernandez and Dennis McNett.

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Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Houston Grand Opera launched its 2025-26 season with a soul-stirring statement — one that blended history, harmony, and high jazzy American style — at the season-opening performance of Porgy and Bess, followed by a celebration dinner that felt more like an all-cast reunion than a buttoned-up black-tie din din.

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Under the direction of Francesca Zambello, the Gershwin classic unfolded on the Wortham Theater Center’s stage in a performance that was both nostalgic and unflinchingly honest. The lush, jazz-meets-classical score had audiences leaning in, and many found themselves marveling at how many of the opera’s melodies live rent-free in cultural memory.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated. The emotional weight of the story and the conversations it inspired lingered long after the curtain dropped.

HGO general director and CEO Khori Dastoor opened the evening by reflecting on the company’s legacy with Porgy and Bess, which stretches back to a 1976 production that earned both a Tony and a Grammy. This 2025 revival, nearly 50 years later, brought that legacy full circle, honoring the past while setting a tone for the season’s theme: The light we hold.

The production, which runs through November 15, features a powerhouse cast that includes bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Porgy and soprano Angel Blue as Bess. Soprano Latonia Moore, making her HGO mainstage debut, appears as Serena. Baritone Blake Denson takes on the role of Crown, and tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr. brings charisma to Sportin’ Life. A poignant full-circle moment came with baritone Donnie Ray Albert, who portrayed Porgy in HGO’s 1976 production, returning to the stage as Lawyer Frazier. Opening night was conducted by James Gaffigan, with Richard Bado leading later performances.

The post-performance celebration on Fish Plaza, chaired by Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, transformed the space into an elegant nod to Charleston charm. Creams and greens, soft candlelight, and natural textures made for a timeless scene, but it was the congenial vibe that truly stole the show. The mood was chatty, the energy high, and the mission clear: Reconnect, rejoice, and rally behind the power of opera.

During the dinner, Dastoor and artistic and music director Patrick Summers acknowledged the many supporters who brought this night to life. Dastoor offered a poignant nod to Summers as he begins his final season in his current role, transitioning to music director emeritus next year. She also welcomed Astley Blair as HGO’s newly elected board chair, signaling an exciting chapter ahead.

Weeks later, HGO announced Gaffigan’s appointment as the company’s fifth music director — a major milestone in its 70-year history. Gaffigan, a rising star in European opera houses and orchestras, made his American operatic debut at HGO in 2011 and returned this fall to conduct Porgy and Bess. His connection to Houston runs deep, as an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

As the night wound down, the cast and creative team received a standing ovation again. And rightly so. The event drew 450 guests and raised $690,000, the second-highest total in HGO Opening Night history.

CultureMap seen were Margaret Alkek Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Vivianna Jolie, Elizabeth and Neil Chapman, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Jane Cizik, Molly Crownover, Misook Doolittle, Marty Dudley, Elaine Finger, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Alecia Harris, Matt Healey and Denise Reyes, Chris and Morgan Hollins, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Teresa and José Ivo, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Sarah and Bryant Lee, Karen and Ramon Manning, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Terrylin Neale, Franci Neely, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Rebecca Rabinow and Matt Ringel, Jill and Allyn Risley, Cora and Judson Robinson, Kelly and David Rose, Anita Smith, Dian and Harlan Stai, Ellen Susman, Marguerite Swartz, Charlene Tombar, Nestor Topchy, Jesse, Brooks, and Sherida Tutor, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Donna Sims and Frank Wilson, Gretchen Watkins, Mary-Olga and John Warren, Yuichi and Uny Watanabe, Geraldina and Scott Wise, and Kristina and Enoch Woodhouse.

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