Amanda and Jess Merten
Amanda and Jess Merten
Susan Lenny and Brit J. Bartter
Marilyn J. Halperin and Gala 2015 speaker Jennifer Gonzalez
Honoree Phylicia Rashad with Barbara Gaines and Gary Griffin
Spirit of Shakespeare Awards
The florist Bukiety and MDR Creative Inc. set an opulent stage.
Costumed actors set the mood.
THE PARTY The Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s annual gala celebrated the legacy of Shakespeare in history and culture while raising $1.2 million for urban education outreach; a point nicely made using the Bard’s own words as conversation-starting quotes projected on the walls and windows of the theater’s lobbies. THE PEOPLE Over 350 guests joined in recognizing Artistic Honoree Phylicia Rashad and her extensive career as an actor and director. She noted, “You don’t know what it means to the young people who will be reached through this program, but I can tell you—as one who was reached as a young person—it means everything.” THE PINNACLE Following the three-course meal, attendees joined in a lively auction that included a private tour of the Musee d’Orsay led by art expert Chris Boicos and a day on the set of the hit show Veep hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The stars definitely came out to play for Shakespeare! –Photos by Lauren Stenzel and Daniel Ribar
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