Bess Hochstein reports from Salisbury.It’s difficult to pinpoint the most charming aspect of this year's gala for the TriArts Sharon Playhouse, held on Saturday, May 26. Certainly the gracious venue, the Salisbury School boathouse, is incomparable, with its lakeside setting which provides stunning views. The items up for bid during the live and silent auction – including tickets to some of the hottest shows in the region and on Broadway, as well as exclusive getaways to Antigua, Nantucket, Miami Beach, and St. Lucia – are unquestionably appealing. The rousing preview performances – selections from The Sound of Music and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas – generate excitement for the TriArts productions to come, beginning with Divas Do The Decades! on June 8. In the end, however, this year’s highlight was, without a doubt, the performance by Dan Dwyer of Johnnycake Books as auctioneer (above) who stole the show in a full nun’s habit – occasionally and gleefully banging a gong to discipline the bubbly crowd – which was entirely appropriate for a theatrical season that ranges from saints to sinners.
Performers Becky Sawicki, Bonnie Byrnes, and Diane Schoor, a member of the TriArts board of directors; TriArts executive director Alice Bemand with board president Kathy Jones.
Director Andrew Volkoff and actor Deann Halper, who will work together in Berkshire Actors Theatre's production of Four Dogs and a Bone; event co-chair Emily Soell and Marjery Hetcel.
Realtor Elyse Harney Morris, Carol Flaton, Sandra Buergi, and Kathleen Devaney; Amy Rasner, Mimi Harney, and Brigitte Harney.
Amy Jedlicka with TriArts board members Anna Traggio & Alicia Fitch; Lori Belter and Amber Cameron, who were among the evening's performers.
A spirited interlude of song and dance.
Event co-chair Carol Kalikow, VP of the TriArts board, with committee member Dan Dwyer, who shed his habit during the auction; TriArts crew members Casey Hagwood and Graham Stone.
Tom Sebring, who chairs the upcoming Litchfield County Antiques Show, with interior designer Matthew Patrick Smyth; committee member Priscilla McCord and Steve Vaughan.
The von Trapp children bid the crowd So Long, Farewell.
Committee member Anita Shapiro & Harvey Shapiro; Isabel Sloane and Drew Robbins.
Deirdre & Larry Bader with Deborah van Eck; newlyweds Alfred Portale, founder and executive chef of Manhattan's Gotham Bar and Grill, and Sophie Portale with Mark Shearer.
Event co-chair Jay Jolly, gala auctioneer Dan Dwyer, Jim Montinari, Anne Dwyer, and Patricia Ransen.
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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
