Shelby's Social Diary

Powerhouse revelers at Symphony Ball after-party rocked til the lights went outat The Corinthian

Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill

The Houston Symphony Ball crowd had assumed that the youthful contingent, which began arriving at The Corinthian for the after-party at 10 p.m., had come directly from their homes. But no. Chairs Stacy and John Andell, Hasti Taghi and James Gietz got the ball rolling several hours earlier at Hotel ICON. From there, the dressed-up young professionals walked en masse the block or so to the late-night bash.

By the time many of the big-ticket buyers had adjourned, the younger crowd, paying $65 each, had grown to 150 strong for dancing to the intoxicating sounds of the Marianne Bennett Orchestra of New York, for feasting on Jackson & Co.'s midnight buffet (the mac 'n' cheese and breakfast tacos a huge hit) and networking with the twentysomething/thirtysomething movers and shakers. This really was the "Rock Me Amadeus" moment.

"The party was a huge success," John Andell said, adding, "so much so that I think I'll be going into hibernation for the rest of the spring."

The partying was so intense that no one wanted to leave. Not until the lights went up at 2 a.m. did the die-hard revelers depart.

Leading the late-night charge were symphony president and CEO Mark Hanson and wife Christina and symphony ball chairs Tara and David Wuthrich.

The youthful partygoers included Kristin and Jason Kaminsky, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, James Phelan, Stephanie Von Stein with John Keeton, Lauren Levicki, Katie Chachere, Catherine and Glenn Taylor and Katie Flaherty.

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taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.