Chicago—Steppenwolf Theatre Company celebrates its 30th anniversary with Gala 2006: Steppenwolf at 30, a one-of-a-kind celebration attended by 700 of Chicago's corporate, civic and cultural leaders. The star-studded event includes the world premiere of Love Song by John Kolvenbach, dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events and Chef Matt of SPAGO Beverly Hills., the Star with the Stars Live Auction and a performance by Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band. Gala 2006 takes place Saturday, April 8, 2006 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted.
“Steppenwolf’s 30th Anniversary celebration will continue Steppenwolf’s tradition of providing our valued guests with world-class entertainment at one of Chicago’s most prominent and unique philanthropic events,” comments Executive Director David Hawkanson.
The Gala Chair is Steppenwolf Trustee Lynn Lockwood Murphy, and Gala Co-Chair is Steppenwolf Trustee Donna La Pietra. The theatrical centerpiece of the evening will be the World Premiere of John Kolvenbach’s Love Song, directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton and featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan, Mariann Mayberry and Molly Regan with Ian Barford. The festivities continue with cocktails and a lavish dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events and Chef Matt of SPAGO Beverly Hills.
This year, guests will celebrate in true Steppenwolf style with the always-popular Star with the Stars Live Auction, which features one-of-a-kind celebrity prizes. Previous prizes have included walk-on roles on CSI: New York, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The O.C., exclusive film screenings and private dinners with Steppenwolf ensemble members Joan Allen, John Mahoney, John Malkovich, Laurie Metcalf and Gary Sinise.
The evening will culminate with live entertainment by Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. Co-founder Sinise has an extraordinary commitment to the USO and Operation Iraqi Children, a foundation he co-founded. The Lt. Dan Band, named for Sinise's Oscar-nominated role in Forrest Gump, has performed at military installations across the United States and world wide. All post-production festivities take place in a custom-designed tent with event décor by Heffernan Morgan, Inc.
The 30th Anniversary Gala is a Black Tie event. Ticket prices for tables of 10 people are $30, 000, $25,000 and $15,000, and 8 people $10,000. Individual tickets are $1,500 per person. To purchase tickets or for additional information, contact Judith Simons, Director of Special Events, at (312) 654-5617.
Sara Lee Foundation is the Exclusive Sponsor of Love Song. Additional Gala sponsors include JP Morgan Chase, Live Entertainment Sponsor; Marshall Field's, Cocktail Reception Sponsor; United Airlines, Official Airline Sponsor; Deloitte Consulting, LLP, Exclusive Sponsor of the Star with the Stars Live Auction; JWT Chicago, Official Marketing Partner; InStyle Magazine, Official Media Sponsor; and Merle Reskin, Birthday Cake Sponsor.
Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company advances the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships, and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of thirty-five artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.
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