A Night To Remember

Revered Texas novelist and Oscar winner thrill gala crowd with Houston insights

There could not have been a more appreciative audience than the one gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the Center for Houston's Future's "Dinner and Conversation" fundraiser headlining Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry, screenwriter and producer Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain) and Texas Monthly founding editor and screenwriter (Apollo 13) Bill Broyles.

The names alone would have been enough to fill the ballroom with the 425 eager guests. But they delivered an unexpected, delicious, candid and very personal conversation from the stage. Broyles took a class under McMurtry when the author was teaching at Rice University. Ossana and McMurtry have been collaborating since 1992 and shared an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain.

The conversation ranged from McMurtry's heart surgery to his bout with depression to his works and writing. The Wichita Falls native and author of 29 novels shared his love for Houston, while long-time friend and collaborator Ossana elaborated on his remarks.

This rare evening of high talent was chaired by Anne Taylor and Ed Harris with Chevron as sponsor. The evening included presentation of the Center for Houston’s Future Impact Award to Donna F. Cole, president and CEO of Cole Chemical, Management and Distribution. Recognized as Impact Award finalists were Mack Fowler, principal and CEO of Madison Resources and Orion Pacific Holdings, and Kim Sterling, president of Sterling Associates.

The mesmerized gathering included former Texas Monthly editor Gary Curtis, Dorothy and Mickey Ables, Chevron's Joni Baird, Alex and Astley Blair, Antje and Harry Gee, Carmela and Kelly Frells, Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Paul Murphy, Gwen Goffe, Marguerite and Bruce Culpepper, and Catherine Mosbacher, the Center for Houston's Future president and CEO.

Larry McMurtry, from left, Diana Ossana, Greg Curtis and Bill Broyles.

Photo by © Kim Coffman

Larry McMurtry, from left, Diana Ossana, Greg Curtis and Bill Broyles.

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Operetta Chic

Musical menu delights Houstonians at Gilbert and Sullivan Society gala

Gilbert and Sullivan Society Auction of Arias 2026

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

High notes met high bids and applause for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Sean Holshouser, Richard Paul Fink, Riley Ortega, Laura Coleman, Meaghan Heath, Catherine Schaefer, Riley Vagis, Julie Hoetzel, and Pantelis Karastamatis.

That was the scene at the Doré Commons of the Baker Institute at Rice University for the 11th annual Auction of Arias gala. The event marked the company’s 75th season, drawing more than 120 guests for an evening of musical revelry. At the helm of the evening was event chair Melissa Stonebrook.

The program leaned into the society’s signature charm, with artists from past productions and the upcoming The Gondoliers delivering a blend of Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, operatic showstoppers, and playful departures into musical theater. Leading the welcome was board president Joe White, serving both as emcee and performer.

Through a lively auction-style menu, bidders selected the evening’s soundtrack, prompting renditions of classics like “Three Little Maids” from The Mikado and “Poor Wandering One” from The Pirates of Penzance, alongside crowd-pleasers including “Je Veux Vivre” and “You’ll Be Back.”

Laura Coleman, Richard Paul Fink, Meaghan Heath, Julie Hoeltzel, Sean Holshouser, Pantelis Karastamatis, Riley Ortega, and Riley Vagis offered performances Gilbert and Sullivan would approve — with a wink.

Three video presentations, produced by society member and voice actor John Gremillion, featured alumni like Susan Facer, who went on to star in Phantom of the Opera, Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and Broadway director Andy Einhorn.

The gala raised more than $130,000, a record-breaking total that will support the group’s upcoming production of The Gondoliers and its scholarship program.

Summoning their inner operetta chic were Victor Stonebrook, John Yabraian, Karen McCarver, Ashly Evans and Clifton Vining, Geoff Copper, Meredith Rice, Sandra Pushkin, Jane Cizik, Marcia Feldman, James Ferrendelli, Barbara Mackey, David Satterfield, Molly and Jim Crownover, Terrilyn Neale, Laura Groppe, Elizabeth Fritschle, Anne and Albert Chao, Cindy and Michael Ma, Jose Ivo, Olga and Orlando Alvarado, and Sharon Birkman.