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Alley Theatre toasts 4 powerhouses of the stage at Tony Award-Winning Evening

Four renowned artists took center stage at the recent 2023 Alley Theatre Award for Lifetime Achievement: A Tony Award-Winning Evening earlier this month. The chic soiree honored costume designer Susan Hilferty, sound designer Scott Lehrer, playwright and director Richard Nelson, and lighting designer Jennifer Tipton.

All four are among the most influential and renowned names in the theater industry for their craft. By the numbers, they combine for a staggering 109 Broadway productions, five Tony Awards (including 21 nominations), one Olivier Award, one Grammy Award, nine Drama Desk Awards (including 29 nominations), and many other accolades.

Houston audiences can see their work for themselves in the Alley's world premiere of Anton Chekov's Little ComediesLittle Comedies, on stage through October 29 and directed by Nelson, and with costumes by Hilferty, sound by Lehrer, and lighting by Tipton.

"Nelson and his design team ... have each had remarkable careers individually and have worked together for decades to create this intimate form of theatre," wrote Alley artistic director Rob Melrose in his notes for the Playbill for Little Comedies. "Their long-term collaboration and the extraordinary results are unique and special."

Alley Thearte

Jennifer Tipton, Richard Nelson, Lois Stark, Scott Lehrer, and Susan Hilftery at the Award for Lifetime Achievement: A Tony Award®-Winning Evening on October 9

Melrose led a discussion with the four at the event, chaired by Jeremy and Wendi Monthy.

Lois Stark, a lifetime trustee of Alley Theatre, and the person who conceived the theater's Lifetime Achievement Award, was in attendance with her husband George. Others in attendance were Franci Neely, Carl Palazzolo, Craig and Angela Jarchow, Steve and Christina Morse, Roger and Connie Plank, Tom Mays and Orlando Zayas, Derek and Lara Hollingsworth, Erin Carpenter, Amelia Hartman, Alejandra and Dimitri Papakyriacou, Lisa Helper and Patrick Myatt, Dick and Jane Schmitt, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, Heather Almond, and Dean and Jane Gladden.

Johanna Terry Events designed the event and Culinaire provided catering.

Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers

a standing o

Alley Theatre toasts 4 powerhouses of the stage at Tony Award-Winning Evening

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Houston intel delivered daily.