Summer stock is all about pouring enthusiasm, razmatazz and heart into the right material in the right proportions. From the elaborate season preview at Saturday night's TriArts gala, it looks like it's going to be a boffo summer at at the Sharon Playhouse, which opened on June 18 with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (through July 4). In the tradition of Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane, Omri Shein led the cast in a rousing rendition of "Comedy Tonight" that could make even a misanthrope smile. Regina Albertario and Bobby Gouse sang "You Are The Music in Me" from High School Musical 2 (July 10 - 26), which is bound to have tweens and teens lined up a the stage door. And Gavin Lodge made it clear that he will seduce every resident of River City in The Music Man (August 6 - 23) as he belted out "76 Trombones" like a one-man band. The Footlighters (above), a barber shop quartet from Poughkeepsie that has been cast for The Music Man, made their TriArts debut and later serenaded actress Allison Berry (who'll play Marian the Librarian) at the post-performance cocktail party in the Bok Gallery.
Actors Gavin Lodge and Allison Berry. who will star in The Music Man this summer.
Actress Deann Halper and TriArts board president David Sims; Mary Fellows and TriArts board member Roxanne Bok, who owns Salisbury's White Hart Inn.
Amy Smith, Lola White, gala co-chair Pat Best, and Scott Smith
Fran Roberts and Judy Barber; Michael Lynch and Anne Yoakam
TriArts executive director Alice Bemand and her husband, Steve Bemand; Ann Printon and TriArts artistic director Michael Berkeley
Norman Kapplan and artist Irene Blagden
Patricia Conlin and Ann Perse; Millerton floral designer Kamilla Najdek and David Najdek of EcoBuild
TriArts board vice president Mimi Estes and board member Deborah Reyelt; Audrey and Arnold Fisher
Written by
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
