At The Ridgefield Playhouse 11th Anniversary Gala starring The Doobie Brothers, Christine and Philip Lodewick and Ira Joe Fisher will receive accolades for their many contributions to The Ridgefield Playhouse. On Friday, November 4, a dinner reception begins at 5:30 followed by a live auction and show at 8 p.m. Special musical guests are Chris Berardo and the DesBerardos. Pictured are members of the 2011 Gala Committee: (Back row) Teri Rampolla, Julie Paltauf, Sharon Lavatori, Nicki Crai; (front row) Faith Sherman, Christy Kinsman, Allison Stockel, Sharon Shapiro and Sarah Bouissou. Members not pictured are Laura Freed Ancona, Lisa Barrett, Lori Berisford, Elaine Cox, Peggy Marconi, Patti Ross, Lou-Ann Smith and Barb Tully. For tickets ($250 VIP seating, open bar, dinner & show; $175 orches./mezz. seating, open bar, dinner & show; $125 balc. seating & 7 – 8 p.m. open bar; $3500 Gala Sponsor with 10 VIP tickets, name in promo materials, cocktail party, dinner, orches. seating), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795, or go online ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
A gala celebration provides an ideal setting to pay tribute to those who go above and beyond to support the arts. At The Ridgefield Playhouse 11th Anniversary Gala starring The Doobie Brothers, Christine and Philip Lodewick and Ira Joe Fisher will receive public accolades for their contributions to help make the town’s performing arts center a cultural hub. On Friday, November 4, a dinner reception begins at 5:30 for Gala ticket holders, and the show, live auction and cash bar start at 8 p.m. Special musical guests are Chris Berardo and the DesBerardos, who found success with their albums Pure Faith and Ignoring All the Warning Signs. This event is being sponsored by AllShows.com, Bliss Lawyers, Steve Carlson, Colonial Automotive Group, Diageo, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ellis, Fairfield County Bank, Pepsi Beverages Company, The Ridgefield Playhouse Board of Directors, Scott Schneider and James and Maureen Stifel. Radio sponsor is i95fm The Home of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Because food and beverage are integral to a celebration, an impressive number of the local restaurants are lending their support by providing “tastes of Ridgefield” to showcase their culinary expertise as dinner under the tent. Kennedy’s® All-American Barber Club will be hand rolling cigars, and Guinness Black Lager will be offering a beer tasting.
The Playhouse Recognition Awards for those who have been instrumental to the Playhouse’s success, will be announced to honor Christine and Philip Lodewick for establishing and continued financial support of the “Arts in Education Series”. For The Lodewicks, The Ridgefield Playhouse “… fills an important role in our community, enhancing the arts and arts education throughout the region. The Playhouse is another one of Ridgefield's special treasures." At the Gala, The Bruce Becker Scholarship Fund, established to provide free tuition for kids to attend The Ridgefield Playhouse after- school songwriting class, will also be announced.
When asked how he feels about receiving the Arts Volunteer Award, media personality Ira Joe Fisher said: “This honor sits in my heart. Happily. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a sweet testament to what makes our town and our New England the "Art-part" of the nation. I live in the world of words ...spoken and written. And The Ridgefield Playhouse stage has given us the great grace of words. Sung. Said. Screened and staged. This recognition touches me deeply. These few words only begin to express how much the Playhouse and Ridgefield mean to me. I feel blessed by our town and our stage. Blessed. And so happy.” Ira Joe Fisher will be honored for his work hosting The Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society Series and for his role as auctioneer.
Some tickets remain for the Gala and to see The Doobie Brothers who have given popular music so many great classics including “Listen To The Music”, “Black Water”, “China Grove”, “Long Train Runnin’” and “You Belong To Me” . Their recent World Gone Crazy album demonstrates their world-class musicianship. Founding members Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons, and 30 year-plus veterans John McFee and Michael Hossack will perform all of The Doobie Brothers’ hits along with some of their new material.
For tickets, call the box office at 203-438-5795 or go online to ridgefieldplayhouse.org: $250 VIP Gala tent & seating, open bar, dinner & show; $175 Gala tent, open bar, dinner & orches./mezz. seating; $125 includes 7 – 8 p.m. open bar & balc. seating; $3500 sponsorship includes 10 VIP orches. seating, name in promo materials, cocktail party, dinner & dessert. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
