The only thing better than a wedding is a double ceremony, and Shakespeare & Company delivered just that on Saturday, October 9, with its benefit performance of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Following a cocktail reception where actors in character mingled among the guests, many of whom were themselves in character (or at least in costume), everyone gathered in the "chapel" to witness as Tina Packer ceremoniously passed the Shakespeare & Company artistic director's torch to her longtime colleague Tony Simotes, as board chair Richard Mescon officiated. Then Father Mark took over and married Valentina ("Tina") Lynne Vitale to Anthony ("Tony") Angelo Nunzio, as he has countless thousands of times since the (according to The New York Times) "audaciously imaginative" play premiered in 1988. A raucous reception followed.
Event co-chair Carole Murko, who board chair Mescon credited with having the bright idea for the event, Anita Heller, Philip Heller, and Jim Finnerty
Groomsmen Dominic Fabrizzi, "just call me" Barry, and Johnny "the King" Nunzio; John Higgins, mother of the bride Josephine Vitale, brother of the bride Joey Vitale, and Ann Higgins
Jon McClaren and Nicole, "Dad says I'm the 'cute one.'; trustees Roberta Friedman and Frances Martinson, who dusted off her ermine stole for the occasion.
Kenneth Werner and Rhea Werner; Lauren Cavanaugh and Leslie Nelson
Lisa Newman, Channing Gibson, and Mary Mott; actor Elizabeth Aspenlieder as Maddeline "wit' two d's" and her friend Sugar
Nanci McConnell and Claudia Perles; Ryan Winkles and Kelly Galvin
Sarah Steven and Abigail Burke, both of Jane Iredale; Artistic Director Tony Simotes, artist Sophie Breton, who contributed a painting to the silent auction, and actor Rob Lohbauer
Stephanie Hoadley wearing a jacket from her own Hoadley Gallery and wedding soloist Deborah Grausman; gala committee member Vicki Bonnington and David Schecker
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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
