The Celebration

On May 8, 2021, gala chairs, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, welcomed 175 guests to the Gordy for the 2021 Gala at the Gordy. Vicki West and Ralph Burch were the underwriting chairs and Jo Dee and Cliff Wright were the auction chairs.

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The Story

The black-tie optional evening marked the first moment many attendees had visited The Gordy since the pandemic surfaced. Decorated for the exceptional evening by Bergner & Johnson, the venue featured cascading greenery, white paper lanterns, and tables topped with purple and white. Upon arrival, guests were greeted and entertained by singers Teresa Zimmerman and John Ryan Del Bosque. During pre-dinner drinks, while seated at their tables, and with the help of their phones, partygoers ruminated over the scintillating silent auction, which included packages like a private plane trip to Marfa for eight and the opportunity for a walk-on role in Stages’ annual holiday Panto production. Prepared by Wolfgang Puck, dinner progressed from one creative course to the next culminating in Key lime pie with lemon tuile and meringue zest and espresso tiramisu with cocoa nibs, hazelnut, and Bustelo. After dinner, everyone strolled outside and onto The Gordy’s Brown Foundation Lawn, which had been transformed into a cocktail lounge where they were free to mingle for the rest of the evening.

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The Moments

Long-time Stages actress Denise Fennell conducted red carpet interviews with guests as they arrived, which were broadcast throughout The Gordy. Glenda and Russell Gordy; Stages Board Chairman Emeritus, George Lancaster; Stages Board member Myrtle Jones; Sandra Porter; and others made cameo appearances.

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During dinner, guests enjoyed a video program, which featured remarks from the gala and underwriting chairs, the unveiling of the Owsley History Wall, a montage of Stages’ milestones, and the presentation of the Theodore Award for Visionary Leadership to Kay Brazelton Bruce for her enduring support of Stages. The video closed with highlights from the Stages Studio Sessions series.

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This year’s event raised $670,000 for Stages.

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Guests: Nancy Allen; Kelli and Eddy Blanton; Kalinda Campbell; Cindy Canevaro; Dominic Cellitti and Steven Breyfogle; Stacy Feltham and Marc Cutler; Debra and Mike Dishberger; John Drewer and David Jaqua; Sally and Philip Edmundson; Mark Folkes and Christopher Johnston; Claudia and Brad Freels; Jo and Jim Furr; Lauren and Bob Hagerich; Leisa Holland-Nelson and Bob Bowman; Myrtle Jones; Mady and Ken Kades; Carolyn Keating; George Lancaster; Cindy and Julian Langham; Glenda and Russell Gordy; Alicia and Garrett Gordy; Sandy and Bob Herrin; Susan and Neal Hirsch; Harriet and Truett Latimer; Victoria and Alex Lazar; Marlene Marker; Jackie and Malcolm Mazow; Judy and Jim Nicklos; Sandra Porter; Bunny Radoff; Angela and David Ramm; Isla and T.R. Reckling, III; Jane and Dick Schmitt; Tara Simon; Page and Phil Vogelsang;  and Kerry and Charles Walker.

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About Stages

Stages is a nonprofit professional theatre with deep roots in the Houston community—a greenhouse for new talent and ideas, and a place for art, artists, and audiences to thrive. One of Houston’s best-known theatres, Stages presents new, as well as classic, comedies, dramas, and musicals on two stages: the 171-seat Yeager Theater and the 229-seat Arena Theater.