More than 350 cowboy-chic creatives and sequined socialites descended on The Gordy for a glitter-drenched night of rhinestones, gold lamé, and pure theatrical flair as Stages’ 2025 Gala galloped into town.
Chaired by the effortlessly elegant Myrtle Jones, the Rhinestone Cowboys and Golden Vikings fête was anything but your average sit-down dinner. Instead, it was a rollicking celebration of Stages’ storied past, exciting future, and the Houston arts community that keeps the curtain rising. George C. Lancaster served as honorary chair, with honorees Denise Fennell and Charles Walker taking center stage.
Just before the spotlight turned to the honorees, the crowd raised glasses in honor of Jones, who stunned in two designer gowns — one by Pamella Roland, the other by Emilia Wickstead — topped off with dazzling gems courtesy of Valobra Master Jewelers. In a fitting tribute, Stages announced the renaming of its Costume and Wig Shop in her honor.
Cue the standing ovation.
A tented Texas takeover
Revelers strolled into The Gordy’s Albert and Ethel Herzstein Lobby, sipping specialty cocktails and bidding on luxe silent auction items. The soirée’s design — courtesy of Bergner and Johnson — evoked a rhinestone rodeo meets disco dreamscape. Picture mirrored balls, gold chandeliers, and enough sparkle to light up the Brown Foundation Lawn.
A custom hat bar let guests channel their inner Dolly Parton or George Strait, and an ultra-glamorous tent shimmered in tones of silver and gold. Tables, dressed in black and gold linens and topped with bold blooms, welcomed guests to a dinner prepared by City Kitchen.
Honorees and high notes
New Stages leadership duo Gwen Watkins and Derek Livingston opened the night with heartfelt words before introducing a performance from the cast of Das Barbecü, offering a boots-up sneak peek of Stages’ next musical romp.
Longtime Stages muse Sally Edmundson took the mic to celebrate Fennell, who accepted the Artistic Excellence Award for her 17 years of unforgettable performances and new original works, including the upcoming Lessons Learned and The Bride.
Then it was Walker’s turn in the spotlight. Lancaster presented him with the Theodore Swindley Award for Visionary Leadership and announced Walker’s new role as Stages’ incoming board president. After dinner, the party shifted into overdrive. Servers passed margarita shots like love letters to Texas, and everyone hit the dance floor with abandon as the Doppelganger Band kept the hits coming.
Let the good times roll
The glitzy gala raised $1.4 million for Stages’ artistic and educational programming, a new high watermark. As the last notes faded and the lights dimmed, the evening closed with the announcement of next year’s co-chairs, Brad and Brenda Jones, who will helm the 2026 bash.
Among the glitterati who rode in style were Kerry Walker, Angela and David Ramm, Stacy Feltham and Marc Cutler, Jo Furr, Ralph Burch and Vicki West, Linda Padon, Carey Kirkpatrick and Neil Hershey, Lil and Matt Kades, Mady and Ken Kades, Angela Lee, Hans and Ingrid Roth, Mike and Debra Dishberger, Rick Pasqualone, Dean Putterman, Glenda and Russell Gordy, Carolyn Keating, Beth Madison, Ed Finger, Jaycee Wolff, Larry and Louise Glenn, Alicia and Garrett Gordy, Steve and June Barth, Danny and Robin Klaes, and Cabrina and Steven Owsley.
Photo by Jacob Power
The cast of Das Barbecu delivered a lively performance.
