Along with her portrait by Andy Warhol and the song written for her by Elton John, Lynn Wyatt can now add a dance routine, specially choreographed for her by Houston Ballet's Stanton Welch, to her rich cache of cultural mementos.
As Beyoncé's recording of "Halo" filled the Grand Foyer of Wortham Theater Center Saturday night, Welch led a coterie of 18 male dancers in a rock-inspired tribute.
It was a Ballet Ball that will surely stand out in the annals of grand galas not only for this creative interlude but also for the decor, awash in LED lighting, the first time that such a vast array of colorful lighting defined the decorative space. Kudos to ball chairs Kelli Cohen Fein, stunning in a Carolina Herrera gown, and Martin Fein for their vision in divining the "Rites of Spring" theme.
Once Beyoncé's tune ended, Lynn quipped, "I'll see you guys in my dressing room later."
The Grand Foyer has never been more beautiful. Think thousands and thousands of lights covering decorative trees that rose from the tables as centerpieces. Vast swaths of LED lighting in green draped over the balconies as if it truly were a spring setting. The Events Co. created the decor that had spring garden flowers peeking from the base of each centerpiece.
Before Welch and his dancers filled the dance floor, La Wyatt was introduced by dear friends, designer Carolina Herrera and Edward Djerejian, director of Rice University's Baker Institute. Also on the program was Houston Ballet Foundation president Karl Stern, representing Vinson & Elkins, which was also honored.
Once Beyoncé's tune ended, Lynn quipped, "I'll see you guys in my dressing room later."
It was a rare moment as Welch acknowledged that he "never" dances in public. "Only for Lynn," he said. "I felt like I wanted to make it something special for her."
None applauded with more enthusiasm than Lynn's two sons — Brad Wyatt and Steve Wyatt, the latter in from Washington with his wife Cate.
Rounding out the collection of beautiful people were top table buyers Diane Lokey Farb and Margaret Alkek Williams. Both of whom with their dates, Mark Sullivan and Jim Daniel, respectively, were among those dancing to the sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra. Their largesse and that of other supporters earned $760,000 for the Houston Ballet.
Among the 500 guests savoring the scrumptious dinner from Tony's were Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Ann Stern, Leticia Loya, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Joella and Steve Mach, Carmen and Butch Mach, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Pat Breen, Rose and Harry Cullen, Martha Turner and Glenn Bauguss, Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Cabrina and Steven Owsley and Leigh and Reggie Smith.
