Shelby's Social Diary
The Marvelous Wonderettes made Stages' way-back gala a night to remember, promdresses included
Extended again and again for an amazing run, Stages' The Marvelous Wonderettes was revived in part for one last hurrah Saturday night at the Junior League of Houston where the "Be Marvelous Gala" kept more than 200 guests toe-tapping throughout the night.
Chairing the Stages Repertory Theatre black-tie evening, Kate McConnico, Annie Criner, Claire Cormier Thielke and Libby Cagle put the way-back machine into action for the retro-themed gala that saw Claire and Libby wear their actual prom dresses and a number of other guests stepping back in time to the '60s theme of the night.
Spreading their talent throughout the dinner evening, the Wonderettes presented four musical interludes, which were led off by a welcome and introduction from Stages artistic director Kenn McLaughlin.
This party came in two acts, the first beginning in the Junior League ballroom and the second "After-Prom Party" taking over the tearoom which had been transformed with a black and white dance floor, metallic tufted furniture from Swift + Co. and with the sounds of DJ Mav. Anyone still hungry after dinner could nosh on Whataburger taquitos and just-a-burgers.
Proud parents of the chairs — Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Marjorie and Ken McConnico and Susie and Sanford Criner joined the musical fun.
Among those kicking up their heels were George Lancaster, Tara Simon, Vicki Rizzo, Mary Beth Aspromonte, Sarah Bray, Don Mafrige, Catherine and Dean Giuffre, Vivian Wise, Gregory Fourticq, Cabrina and Steve Owsley, Sally Edmundson and in the late night After-Prom crowd — Susan Christian, Tami Dias and Edward Sanchez.