Maltz Jupiter Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season Gala Raises $776,000

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre's tenth annual gala, "The 10 Event Gala," raised a record $776,000 for the not-for-profit Theatre.

More than 550 people attended the spectacular sold-out benefit, held Saturday, February 23, at the Theatre. The event took place the week of the Theatre's 10th season anniversary, and provided a glamorous, unique celebration of the Theatre's past 10 seasons of extraordinary success.

Guests kicked off the evening in a glittering tent onsite at the Theatre, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres accompanied by a classical guitarist. Then, a string quartet accompanied a gourmet dinner of beef tenderloin medallions, pan-seared black grouper, roasted red potatoes and butternut squash confetti inside a large ballroom within the tent, complete with chandeliers, sequined linens, voluminous feathers and the colors of silver, white and the "Maltz blue" that has made the Theatre so famous.

The event continued inside the Theatre with a magnificent retrospective multimedia presentation produced by the Theatre's producing artistic director Andrew Kato, complete with extensive video interviews (including a special message from Burt Reynolds), a 14-piece orchestra and more than 20 stars of the Theatre's past hit productions.

"The fact that this unique event sold out is a tribute to the quality and value that the Maltz Jupiter Theatre has brought to the community," said Pamela Dyar, the Theatre's associate director of development. "The 10 Event Gala was both a historic celebration of the past ten seasons and an inspiration to our Theatre's future. It was an exciting, joyful evening for a wonderful cause."

Performers included Hello, Dolly! star Vicki Lewis; My Fair Lady star Amanda Watkins; Crazy For You and The Music Man star Matt Loehr; Ain't Misbehavin' star Angela Grovey; Mark Jacoby and the Cagelles from La Cage aux Folles and many more. Students from the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts also performed as a mass choir, filing down the aisles and singing songs such as Pure Imagination and We Go On.

"The Maltz Jupiter Theatre has truly come full circle," said the Theatre's managing director, Tricia Trimble. "Just ten seasons ago, hundreds of volunteers attended our 'set the stage' event to help clean the theatre prior to its grand opening. Today, we had a record number of sponsors for the gala, and this is the most we've ever raised through our annual benefit. We are so thankful to the incredible generosity and support that has brought us to where we are today."

Following the performances, guests returned to the glittering tent, full of an array of delicious desserts, and danced the night away.

The event's 10 Grand Benefactors were the Bebe Foundation, Joan and Allen Bildner, Roberta and Harvey Golub, Myra Hoffstein, Peggy and Rick Katz, Chris Kritikos, Pattie and Nate Light, Bonnie Osher, Diane and James E. Perrella and PNC.

Organized by a gala committee and led by two board members - honorary producer Roe Green and chairman Roberta E. Golub - a highlight of the evening occurred when Ms. Green announced that the Roe Green Foundation is giving the Theatre $1.5 million toward a $2.5 million capital campaign. To complete the planned renovations prior to the start of its 2013/14 season, the not-for-profit Theatre is working to raise additional funds by March 28.

"It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying an unforgettable evening, and we are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from the community," Kato said. "As the largest regional theatre in Florida, we'd like to thank everyone who has helped the Theatre reach this milestone, and those who will join us for the next 10 seasons."

Now celebrating its 10th season, the not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida's preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state's largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws over 70,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,530 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida's highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence in 2012. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.