Rachel Louchen reports from Pittsfield. Guests were told to dress to impress in red on Friday, May 11, for a fundraiser gala benefiting Rogue Angel Theater at the Whitney Center, which was transformed into a festively decorated room with rose petals strewn on the floor, red lighting, and Moroccan style drapery hanging from the ceilings. Hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and chocolates were served, while crimson-clad guests enjoyed music and had the opportunity to bid on the silent auction and visit a tarot card reader. The gala was held to raise money for the upcoming Rites of Passage performance piece, which will be staged inside the Whitney, formerly the Women’s Club of the Berkshires, with each room of the stately brick edifice representing a different stage in a woman’s life from childhood to old age. The event will run for four nights in June and involves dozens of people, aged 1 to 90. The evening's spectacular turnout was more than encouraging for theater director Pooja Ru Prema, at left with Laura Geilen, who will be performing in the upcoming production.
Amy Warner, Katie Hagel, and Julia Erickson.
Amy Tanner of Housatonic with longtime Rogue Angel supporter Jennifer Clark; Kelsa Summer and Chenoa Pelligra of Hillsdale.
Jocelyn McEwan with Nadine Hottat; Michael Bushy and Gabrielle Senza, who will perform in the "Hysteria Room" during Rites of Passage.
Susan Bryan of Otis and Beth Bacon of Great Barrington; Walter McTeigue and Caroline McTeigue.
The evening auctioneer, Helsinki Hudson's Cameron Melville with friend Lizzy West; Ty Elliston and Ronja Geilen of Alford.
Christine Root, playwright Elizabeth Blackshine, and Maris Nichols.
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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
