“Chance Noir” was an unforgettable night!

Booze, Mystery and a Landmark Evening — ‘Chance Noir’ was a SUCCESS!

On August 29th, “Chance Noir – a killer fundraiser”, was held at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center and it was a night that we will never forget!

This year’s Gala Committee, headed by board members Georgia Well and Wendy Hooper, transported us back to the film noir era with an incredible evening filled with gambling, mystery, and a whole lot of fun!

The Chance was transformed into Canary Larry’s, a 1950’s burlesque club, and …(cue dramatic music)… the scene of a crime. While Canary Larry’s Darling Canary Girls sold raffle tickets and chips for the casino, caricature artists created likenesses of the guests, Snap Yourself photo booth took mug shots of our “suspects”, our gorgeous chanteuse singers helped to create a mood most sultry…. Mayor Tim Tot (not Tom Tait) was poisoned and our private dicks “Mac Applewood” and “Jimmy” were on the case!

There were some exciting surprises that evening too, starting with the big one….

• WE CLOSED OUT OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN!!!
  With only $5,200 to go to reach the Final Encore Challenge, Board Chair Scott Well turned to the Chance Noir attendees, who quickly closed out the campaign by shooting their hands up in the air to support. Thank you to everyone for making those final donations and helping us close out the campaign! Speaking of thank you’s….
• And then, Scott invited Sophie & Larry Cripe to the stage. In recognition of their contributions to the Capital Campaign, which cumulatively equaled over $100,000(!!), the Chance Main Stage henceforth will be known as the Cripe Stage.
• Speak Up alumni, Luis Gomes shared his experience of learning through our summer program Speak Up – take a CHANCE that theater can be a powerful means for expression. Recently Luis was featured in the OC Register for his work with the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim. Click here to read the article.
• We also pulled the winning raffle ticket that evening. We are pleased to announce that our Disney Park-Hopper Raffle Ticket Winner was Dan Kee. Congratulations Dan!!

WE RAISED OVER $80,000!

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.

SPECIAL THANKS

Gala Chairs: Georgia Well & Wendy Hooper
Gala Committee: Bette Aitken, Sophie Cripe, Sarah DuVal, Alessandra Gomez, Guy Marr, Rachelle Menaker, and Heather Young
Entertainment Committee: Alex Bueno, Laura M. Hathaway, Erika C. Miller

Major Sponsors:

• Big Heat Sponsor
  • Wylie & Bette Aitken
  • In Honor of Kyden, Torin, Alexandra & Landon Brown and Rob & Evan Gibson
  • Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
  • GFS, Inc.
  • Guy W. Marr
  • Tod & Linda White
• Kiss Me Deadly Sponsors
  • Larry & Sophie Cripe
  • Wendy Hooper
  • Andy & Judith Lamb and Terry & Michelle Schomburg
  • Laurie Smits Staude
  • Scott & Georgia Well
• Touch of Evil Sponsors
  • Bruce Goodrich
  • Frances Riggs
• Naked Alibi Sponsors
  • Dr. Michael & Jean Abdalla
  • Martin & Wendy Benson
  • Victor & Marnie Ceporius
  • Robin Preiss Glasser & Robert Berman
  • Lynn Gold & Jade Martner
  • Camille Goulet
  • Leslie Hayman & Joyce Givens
  • Carol Hellebrand & Patti Howard
  • Lisa Keating
  • Shannon C. Lamb, APC
  • Madeleine & Tommy Long
  • John & Deborah Montevideo
  • Irina Morris
  • Steve & Linda Sundvold
• Underwriters:
  • Bar Sponsor: Wendy Hooper
  • Casino: Shannon C. Lamb, APC
  • Invitations: Tom & Amy Prenovost
  • Catering Sponsor: Sally Ann Catering
  • Event Sponsor: Margaret Gates

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: Elizabeth Adabale, Tony Bernitch, Jocelyn A. Brown*, Rachel Oliveros Catalano, Eloise Coopersmith, Larry Cripe, Sherry Domerego*, Taylor Hartsfield, Laura M. Hathaway*, Casey Long*, Robyn Mack, Robyn Manion*, James McHale*, Erika C. Miller*, Angeline Mirenda, Elena Murray, Sarah Pierce*, Jennifer Ruckman*, Marc Sanford*, Matt Takahashi, Jeff Segal, Bill Strongin*, Beach Vickers, and Camryn Zelinger

Volunteers: Chance Resident Artists, Disney VoluntEARS, Josh Cardenas, Doug Catiller, Eloise Coopersmith, Alison Cripe, Sarah DuVal, Cynthia Espinosa, Ken Favell, Alessandra Gomez, Geoff Gread, Bebe Herrera, Darryl Hovis, Robyn Mack, Christi McHale, Melody McLane, Rosalynn Nguyen, Sally Pedersen, Crystal Phillips, Robin “George” Shorter, Heather Young.

* Chance Theater Resident Artist