“Chance-a-Go-Go” was a Gas (and a complete success)!

What a groovy night we had on August 27th!

Thanks to the support of so many wonderful lovers of theater, we raised over $75,000!

This year, our Gala Committee, headed by Chance board member Georgia Well, pulled out all the stops to create a far out experience taking us back to the mod 1960’s. The event combined a fun and colorful atmosphere, 60’s attire, delectable cuisine, a mystery wine pull, silent auction, and laugh-in style entertainment that had the audience roaring.

The evening was kicked off with an invigorating musical number from Chance artists, and things stayed quippy and fun with hosts Casey Long and Jennifer Ruckman doing their best Rowan & Martin impressions. The evening wrapped up with a speech from Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen who announced that 2016 has been the Chance’s most successful season thus far in terms of box office. However, ticket sales cannot keep the doors open on their own and he took his time to recognize the important contribution of this season’s Executive Producers, who believe in our art and remind us that the pursuit of our mission is making an impact in our community.

There was more exciting news during the “far out” event, including….

• Board Chair Scott Well told everyone in attendance about our plans to install a new LED marquee out front to increase our visibility and beautify our storefront. In an attempt to raise $5,000 to pay for the sign, Scott asked those in attendance who would be willing to donate $500. Hands shot up in the air immediately, raising $6,500!! Thank you to the following sponsors who have made the marquee possible:
  • Frances Riggs
  • Ashleigh Aitken & Michael Penn
  • Guy W. Marr
  • Jean Abdalla
  • Robert Berman & Robin Preiss Glasser
  • Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
  • Scott & Sandra Graham
  • Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller
  • Howard Privette & Deirdre Kelly
  • Steve & Linda Sundvold
  • Maddy & Tommy Long
• Education Director Karen O’Hanlon brought the audience up to speed on the recent accomplishments and expansion of the Chance education programs, including the 11th straight year of the Speak Up summer program. Karen also made a special announcement — the Chance will once again be partnering with Arts OC on the Veterans in the Arts Initiative for TWO sessions and two original productions. Stay tuned for details as they develop.
• We also pulled the winning raffle ticket that evening. We are pleased to announce that our Disney Park-Hopper Raffle Ticket Winner was Scott Graham. Congratulations Scott!!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, or donated an auction item, or a bottle of wine, or sent in a check! Your support made the evening a great success and will allow us to continue to serve this great community. See all their names after the gallery below.

SPECIAL THANKS

Gala Chair: Georgia Well
Gala Committee: Sophie Cripe, Kelly Ehlert, Bebe Herrera*, Guy W. Marr, Rachelle Menaker, Heather Young
Entertainment Committee: Alex Bueno* and Laura M. Hathaway*

MAJOR SPONSORS

Catering Sponsor: Sally Ann Catering
Cocktail Sponsor: Guy W. Marr
Car Sponsor: John Lawson
Event Sponsor: Margaret Gates

• “Sock It To Me” Sponsors
  • Steve Brown, Nexgen Pharma
  • Sophie & Larry Cripe
  • Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
  • Robin Preiss Glasser & Robert Berman and Scott & Georgia Well
  • Guy W. Marr
  • Tod & Linda White
• “One Ringy Dingy” Sponsors:
  • Bette & Wylie Aitken
  • Andy & Judith Lamb and Terry & Michelle Schomburg
• “Say Goodnight Dick” Sponsors
  • Jean Abdalla
  • Martin & Wendy Benson
  • Bruce Goodrich
  • Scott & Sandra Graham
  • David & Danice Limberg
  • Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller
  • Frances Riggs
• “Your Sweet Bippy” Sponsors:
  • Diane & Chimo Arnold
  • Susie Dittmar
  • Rozanne Englehart
  • Joyce Givens & Leslie Hayman
  • Carol Hellebrand & Patti Howard
  • Maddy & Tommy Long
  • Irina Morris
  • John & Susan Ridgely
  • Rick Smetanka
  • Laurie Smits Staude
• Underwriters:
  • Catering Sponsor: Sally Ann Catering
  • Event Sponsor: Margaret Gates
  • Cocktail Sponsor: Guy W. Marr
  • Car Sponsor: John Lawson

In-Kind Sponsors:
These folks made donations to our silent auction, mystery wine pull, casino prizes and raffle drawing.

We apologize for any errors or omissions at the time of the blog posting.

Performers: Laura M. Hathaway*, Angeline Mirenda, Kim Dalton*, James McHale*, Casey Long*, Jennifer Ruckman*, Ben Green*, Andrew Puente*, Tucker Boyes, Robert Foran*

Band: Bill Strongin*, Robyn Manion*, Jeff Segal

Volunteers: Jay Ballard, McLeod Benson, Johnisa Breault, Marylou Breault Jocelyn A. Brown*, Alex Bueno*, Bailey Castle*, Rachel Oliveros Catalano*, Shannon Page Cutler, Kim Dalton*, Sherry Domerego*, Kelly Ehlert*, Kenneth Favell, Robert Foran*, James Gittelson, Darby Gray, Ben Green*, Courtny Greenough*, Laura M. Hathaway*, Jeff Hellebrand*, Bebe Herrera*, Darryl B. Hovis, Liz Jones, Glenn Koppel*, Casey Long*, Rachael Lorenzetti, Robyn Manion*, Lindsay Marsh, Aaron McGee*, Christi McHale, James McHale*, Judy Mina-Ballard, Irina Morris, Erika Miller Nguyen*, Thanh Nguyen, Oanh Nguyen*, Rosalynn Nguyen, Dennis O’Connell, Karen O’Hanlon*, Joseph Ott, Monika Pena*, Jennifer Pershon, Crystal Phillips*, Sarah Pierce*, Andrew Puente*, Thia Ramos*, Jennifer Ruckman*, Marc Sanford*, Nicole Schlitt*, Robin Shorter*, Bill Strongin*, Yui Suzuki, Masako Tobaru*, Robin Walton*, Karen Webster*, John Wells III*, Brian Wiegel, Wade Williamson*, Heather Young, Camryn Zelinger

* Chance Theater Company Member