A Date With Reese

THE PARTY The spotlight was cast on Reese Witherspoon at The Gene Siskel Film Center’s annual benefit, co-chaired by Anita Liskey and Marc Klutznick. Witherspoon was honored as the first solo female Renaissance Award recipient, and the event raised $340,000 to benefit the center’s programming. THE SCENE Guests sipped on cocktails at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago as the starlet walked the red carpet with Academy Award-winning director, producer and screenwriter Alexander Payne. The three-course dinner paid tribute to some of Witherspoon’s most notable films with themed dishes like “The June and Johnny Duo,” a dried cherry- and brioche-crusted filet mignon and seared white fish. THE PLAYER Director of Programming Barbara Scharres introduced Payne—who referred to Witherspoon as one of the most versatile actresses of our time—for his onstage conversation with the Academy Award-winning actress. A personal video with comments from friends of Witherspoon featured Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. OVERHEARD Witherspoon divulged that her favorite co-star isn’t a who, but a what: Tai the elephant from Water for Elephants trumped co-star Robert Pattinson. Photos by Robert Carl and Johnny Knight