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The Theatre Under The Stars gala is going virtual!<\/p>\n
TUTS announced today that its upcoming gala, \u201cLights Up Houston,\u201d<\/strong> will be held online on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. The evening will be emceed by Houston Public Media\u2019s Ernie Manouse<\/strong> and will feature an exclusive performance by Broadway\u2019s Brian Stokes Mitchell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled Brian is able to join us for this spectacular virtual event,\u201d said Dan Knechtges<\/strong>, TUTS Artistic Director. \u201cBrian is affectionately known as \u2018The Mayor Of Broadway\u2019 because of his tireless advocacy and his leadership as the President of The Actor\u2019s Fund. He has also kept spirits up in New York during the pandemic by serenading neighbors from his apartment window. He is one of Broadway\u2019s biggest stars, and we\u2019re honored he wanted to help support Theatre Under The Stars.\u201d<\/p>\n Dubbed \u201cthe last leading man\u201d by The New York Times, the Tony Award-winner has enjoyed a career that spans Broadway, television, film, and concert appearances with the country\u2019s finest conductors and orchestras. Mitchell will join the event from New York City in this first-ever TUTS virtual gala.<\/p>\n \u201cAs with everyone else in 2020, we\u2019re getting creative,\u201d said Hillary Hart<\/strong>, TUTS Executive Director. \u201cWe delayed our gala last March due to the coronavirus crisis in hopes of coming together this fall. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not yet viable, so we are utilizing technology to deliver a really dynamic and unique evening in celebration of the future of musical theatre in Houston.\u201d<\/p>\n Guests will be able to watch the streaming program and simultaneously use an app to participate in live and silent auctions, with all proceeds going to the non-profit theatre company. Additionally, participants can choose from a variety of unique experiences during the event \u2013 from having a professional chef prepare dinner in their homes to the delivery of a wine and dessert package from the Post Oak Hotel.<\/p>\n The gala comes at a time when all performing arts organizations are facing unprecedented challenges in an age when audiences are not able to gather. TUTS recently announced a postponement of its season until May. To date, the non-profit theatre company has incurred close to $6 million in revenue loss due to the cancellation of performances and major fundraising events. Hart anticipates another $11 million in losses over the next 12 months. For the 52 year-old regional theatre, the losses are unprecedented, leading to layoffs of 10 percent of its staff, significant programmatic cuts, salary reductions and reduced benefits for all employees.<\/p>\n \u201cOur hope is that Houstonians who love musical theatre will join us for this unique evening,\u201d said Hart. \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that we need the support of the community right now, so this is an opportunity to invest in Houston\u2019s performing arts future and experience some Broadway magic at home.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lights Up Houston gala chairs are Elaine Balagia Croucher, Megan Hotze, Amy Pierce, Helen Shaffer<\/strong> and Hector Villareal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=”Find out more about the TUTS Lights Up gala” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” button_url=”https:\/\/www.tuts.org\/lights-up-gala\/” custom_margin=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Theatre Under The Stars gala is going virtual! TUTS announced today that its upcoming gala, \u201cLights Up Houston,\u201d will be held online on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":42060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\r\n TUTS announced today that its upcoming gala, \u201cLights Up Houston<\/strong>,\u201d will be held online on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. The evening will be emceed by Houston Public Media\u2019s Ernie Manouse<\/strong> and will feature an exclusive performance by Broadway\u2019s Brian Stokes Mitchell<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled Brian is able to join us for this spectacular virtual event,\u201d said Dan Knechtges<\/strong>, TUTS Artistic Director. \u201cBrian is affectionately known as \u2018The Mayor Of Broadway\u2019 because of his tireless advocacy and his leadership as the President of The Actor\u2019s Fund. He has also kept spirits up in New York during the pandemic by serenading neighbors from his apartment window. He is one of Broadway\u2019s biggest stars, and we\u2019re honored he wanted to help support Theatre Under The Stars.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n Dubbed \u201cthe last leading man\u201d by The New York Times, the Tony Award-winner has enjoyed a career that spans Broadway, television, film, and concert appearances with the country\u2019s finest conductors and orchestras. Mitchell will join the event from New York City in this first-ever TUTS virtual gala.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u201cAs with everyone else in 2020, we\u2019re getting creative,\u201d said Hillary Hart<\/strong>, TUTS Executive Director. \u201cWe delayed our gala last March due to the coronavirus crisis in hopes of coming together this fall. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not yet viable, so we are utilizing technology to deliver a really dynamic and unique evening in celebration of the future of musical theatre in Houston.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n Guests will be able to watch the streaming program and simultaneously use an app to participate in live and silent auctions, with all proceeds going to the non-profit theatre company. Additionally, participants can choose from a variety of unique experiences during the event \u2013 from having a professional chef prepare dinner in their homes to the delivery of a wine and dessert package from the Post Oak Hotel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The gala comes at a time when all performing arts organizations are facing unprecedented challenges in an age when audiences are not able to gather. TUTS recently announced a postponement of its season until May. To date, the non-profit theatre company has incurred close to $6 million in revenue loss due to the cancellation of performances and major fundraising events. Hart anticipates another $11 million in losses over the next 12 months. For the 52 year-old regional theatre, the losses are unprecedented, leading to layoffs of 10 percent of its staff, significant programmatic cuts, salary reductions and reduced benefits for all employees.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u201cOur hope is that Houstonians who love musical theatre will join us for this unique evening,\u201d said Hart. \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that we need the support of the community right now, so this is an opportunity to invest in Houston\u2019s performing arts future and experience some Broadway magic at home.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n The Lights Up Houston gala chairs are Elaine Balagia Croucher<\/strong>, Megan Hotze<\/strong>, Amy Pierce<\/strong>, Helen Shaffer<\/strong> and Hector Villareal<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n