Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield. A warm and inspiring tribute was paid to actor and mentor Ralph Petillo on Saturday, November 9 as the Berkshire Theatre Group held its Let's Dance! Gala in his honor at the Colonial Theatre. In the lobby and Garage, guests mingled and dined on delicious pasta, appetizers, and a literal smorgasbord of cheeses, fruits and meats from Mazzeo's Ristorante, and purchased vinyl records to enter into the night's auction. Prizes included exclusive packages to Cranwell, Canyon Ranch, and Blantyre. As folks made their way into the theatre, Springfield's nine-piece funk Jus Us Band band invited the crowd to "get down" with them on the stage and they obliged. A loving tribute filmed by some of Petillo's young co-stars followed, and brought tears to the eyes of the crowd, including Petillo himself as he accepted thanks and accolades from BTG's board, staff, and young actors. Chocolate Springs capped off the evening with its amazing signature fine chocolates and mousses. Proceeds from the gala go to fund educational programs for area youth. (Shown above: An imposter Ralph Petillo a.k.a. Chris Vecchia, the real Ralph Petillo, and the real Nancy Nirenberg.)
Gala Committee Member Linda Cooper with Nikki and Greg Knight; Matt and Katie Petillo with Ralph and Sophie Petillo.
Mike Goonan and Justine Goonan, with Becky Collins and Douglas Collins; BTG Board President Emeritus Gary Scarafoni with BTG Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire.
BTG Marketing and PR Associate Christina Riley, Assistant to the Artistic Director & CEO Kait Stinchcomb, and Maddie Calandrillo; Sue Mooney, Lois George, and Kevin Mooney.
Stephanie Merwin, Kim Kinne, Rhiannon Hagen, and Pat Davis; Robin Gerson Wong and Denis Wong.
Michelle and Perri Petricca; Victoria Flower, Isabel Costa, Bonnie Flower, Becky Crane, and Doug Crane.
Front of House Manager Brian Plouffe, Kathy Jo Grover and David Grover; George and Anne Valli.
Angela and Steve Bader; Alicia Ginsberg, Chris Vecchia, and Gina Foley.
Judy Fairweather, Adam Kerzner, and Susan Hawkins; the crowd gets down on the Colonial stage.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
