Amy Krzanik reports from New York City. The Edison Ballroom played host to a packed crowd of performers and supporters, as Williamstown Theatre Festival held its 2013 benefit on Monday, November 18, this year honoring award-winning director and nine-time WTF collaborator Scott Ellis. Most recently the director of this past summer's WTF production of The Elephant Man starring Patricia Clarkson and Bradley Cooper, Ellis has been part of the Festival for the past 15 years. Cocktails upstairs led to dinner in the ballroom below, followed by a live auction led by Willie Reale and featuring backstage visits to the sets of television shows Blue Bloods and Modern Family, Broadway productions of Rocky, The Bridges of Madison County, and Matilda, and a trip to Atlantic City to see WTF favorite Lewis Black perform live. A cabaret performance entitled "WTF Loves Scott Ellis," hosted by Julie White and featuring Jayne Atkinson, Chita Rivera, Susan Stroman and others, capped off the evening. Proceeds from the night go to support WTF's workshops, educational programs, free performances, and training programs for theatre artists and administrators. (Pictured above left: the night's honoree, Scott Ellis, and WTF Artistic Director Jenny Gersten.)
Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola; WTF Board Chairman Matthew Harris and WTF Artistic Director Jenny Gersten.
Actress, dancer, and singer Chita Rivera; actor David Hyde Pierce.
Tara Fitzpatrick,WTF Board Vice Chair Joe Finnegan, and Lucy Pavalock; actress Rebecca Naomi Jones and actor Adam Chanler-Berat.
Actress Heather Lind; director, choreographer, and performer Susan Stroman.
Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker; actress Jayne Atkinson and husband, actor Michel Gill.
WTF Producer Stephen Kaus and WTF Artistic Director Jenny Gersten; the evening's host, actress Julie White.
Actor Joey Slotnick; The Edison Ballroom from above.
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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
