THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE SUMMER SERENADE, THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE 86TH SEASON GALA
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2007
Elegant Event at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel includes Dinner, Dancing
and a Silent Auction featuring Dazzling Jewelry from Lugano Diamonds
APRIL 20, 2007 - LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA – Enjoy a sensational evening of sensory delights including dinner, dancing and a silent auction when The Laguna Playhouse presents its 86th Season Gala, Summer Serenade, at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, June 9, 2007, from 6 to 11 p.m.
Co-chaired by Ilona Martin and Sindi Schwartz, this elegant “summer chic” event features a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and dancing to the Wayne Foster Orchestra. The silent auction will feature dazzling jewelry from Lugano Diamonds.
“Summer Serenade is a celebration of the sounds, flavors and aromas of summertime in Laguna Beach,” says Martin. “We’re saluting The Laguna Playhouse’s extraordinary artistic achievements, and honoring the many volunteers and donors who have helped make The Laguna Playhouse a shining star in the arts community.”
Proceeds from The Laguna Playhouse Gala support the theater’s award-winning education programs that bring the magic of live theater to more than 25,000 school children every year, including TheatreReach: Bringing Books to Life, and the Youth Theatre and Conservatory.
HONOREES
Special Summer Serenade honorees are Dick and Betty Schweickert, long time patrons of The Laguna Playhouse.
“Dick and Betty Schweickert have been loyal Playhouse supporters for many years and have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the mission of The Playhouse, so we’re thrilled to be able to recognize their contributions by honoring them this year,” commented Andrew Donchak, President of The Laguna Playhouse Board of Trustees.
Dick is the founder of Schweickert & Company, a general insurance brokerage firm whose specialties include providing insurance to performing arts organizations across the country, including The Laguna Playhouse. His wife, Betty, serves as vice president and secretary for Schweickert & Company. Dick has served on The Laguna Playhouse board of trustees for many years, including several as president of the board. He also served on the board of directors for Arts Orange County, and is currently on the board of counselors for Pacific Symphony. He and Betty have been active supporters of many local arts organizations, and their evenings are often spent attending theater, dance and musical performances.
The honorees will receive a signed, limited edition bronze sculpture designed and crafted by Laguna Beach artist Chris Schulz. The design is modeled on The Laguna Playhouse logo.
Prior Gala honorees include community volunteers Sophie and Larry Cripe, Ron and Sindi Schwartz, and Suzanne and James Mellor. The Playhouse has also honored actors who have ties to the theatre, including Harrison Ford, Barbara Eden, Julie Harris and Sally Struthers.
SPONSORS
In addition to Lugano Diamonds, Summer Serenade sponsors include LT Litho (printing), Hayden Design (design), and Martin Family Vineyards (wine).
“Laguna Playhouse is a cultural gem in our community,” stated Moti Ferder, President of Lugano Diamonds. “We at Lugano Diamonds are proud to support The Playhouse’s Gala, which in turn supports The Playhouse’s efforts to continue to offer exceptional theater and quality performances for everyone in the community to enjoy.”
Lugano Diamonds took its first steps into the diamond business 35 years ago with its founder, the late Shmuel Shtrum. Since its early days, Mr. Shtrum laid the grounding rules of the company: professionalism, honesty and integrity. Lugano has evolved over the years into a successful and thriving business, manufacturing large stones in all shapes and qualities, and exporting goods around the world. Today’s younger generation has led the company into the new millennium, quickly adjusting to the fast changes of the diamond industry, as well as the world’s economy. Today, Lugano Diamonds meets those changing demands of the market with the ability to both supply and manufacture goods to the satisfaction of their customers. Lugano Diamonds offers superb personal service and competitive prices. The company prides itself in having excellent makes and a consistent pricing system.
UNDERWRITING
Summer Serenade underwriting opportunities are available, including sponsorships of $1,500, $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000, with numerous benefits for each level. A limited number of individual tickets are available for $500 each.
Laguna Playhouse underwriters to date include Rick and Wendy Aversano, Dorothy and Don Bendetti, Jody Upham Billings, Gina Cereda and Paul Rand, Larry and Sophie Hall Cripe, Andrew and Lori Donchak, Bill and Marcia Gaboury, Margaret and Daniel Gallagher, Maralou and Jerry Harrington, Ilona Martin, Deborah and Henry Mayhew, Suzanne and Terry McKenna, Morgan Stanley, Gretchen and Kurt Mulville, Sid and Nancy Petersen, Hillary and Westcott (Bill) Price, Lou and Laura Rohl, Ron and Sindi Schwartz, Deborah Simon, South Coast Plaza, and US Bank.
In addition to co-chairs Ilona Martin and Sindi Schwartz, gala committee members include Bette Aitken, Wendy Aversano, Margaret Baldwin-Gallagher, Dorothy Bendetti, Jody Billings, Jane Browne, Julie Burbridge-Hauck, JoAnn Cokas, Phyllis Contino, Sophie Cripe, Lori Donchak, Lisa Hale, Kim Herbert, Riki Kucheck, Deborah Mayhew, Suzanne Mellor, Gretchen Mulville, Hillary Price, Laura Rohl, Debbie Santoro, Debbie Simon, and Billur Wallerich.
For more information on Summer Serenade, call Amy Larson at (949) 497-2787, ext. 217, or email amy@lagunaplayhouse.com.
ABOUT LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
Founded in 1920, the Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating theatres on the West Coast, and has evolved from an amateur theater into a professional venue that is now a member of League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a prestigious body of the nation's largest non-profit professional theatres. In addition to employing Equity actors, The Playhouse is also a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group, the national organization of American professional theatre.
More than 100,000 theatergoers annually attend performances at the Laguna Playhouse. Noted for its Youth Theater, Education and Community Outreach programs, the Playhouse’s continued growth, expansion, artistic excellence, audience popularity and critical acclaim have helped make it one of Southern California's most important nonprofit theatre companies. Annual budget now stands at more than $6 million.
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