It wasn't surprising that many of the Williamstown Theatre Festival's hometown trustees made the trek from the Berkshires to New York City for the company's fall benefit at the baroque Prince George Ballroom (left) on November 16. What was surprising—and gratifying—was to see Nancy Thomas and a crew from Mezze Catering, who made the journey from Williamstown to Manhattan to provide dinner for the 260 guests with a menu featuring foodstuffs from High Lawn Farm, Maplebrook Farm, Mighty Food Farm, and Peace Valley Farm. Honoring Tom Fontana, a writer and producer who got his start at Williamstown, the evening featured heartfelt toasts, songs by WTF stalwarts Kate Burton and Katie Finneran, and a star-turn by WTF's new general manager, Joe Finnegan, as the evening's auctioneer.
Actors Rightor Doyle, Wendie Malick, and Adam Lerman.
WTF trustee Jid Sprague with WTF artistic assistant Stephen Sanders; WTF board president Matthew Harris and general manager Joe Finnegan.
The traveling trustees: Polly Birrell & Steve Birrell from Williamstown; Cindy Elizter & Chip Elitzer from Great Barrington.
Composer Barry Wyner, actress Emily Shoolin, and producer Scott Delman.
Rachel Judlowe and composer Corina Manetto; Michelle Moeller Chandler and Nancy Kalodner.
WTF director of development Eric Kerns with marketing consultant Carolann Patterson; Lauren & Kipp Stevens.
Andrea Scheidt and her nephew David Stoll.
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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
