Curated Texan
Moulin Rouge-Themed Gala, Raises Big Dollars For Beloved Theater
By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Tamytha Cameron and Thomas Garza
THE SETTING: Gala Co-Chairs Jolie Humphrey and Gail Plummer, along with Honorary Co-Chairs Ambassador Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall, welcomed more than 350 Dallas leaders, philanthropists and lovers of the arts to celebrate the magic of musical theater at Broadway Dallas’ 2023 gala that featured a full performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Gina and Grant Farmer
The evening continued with a show-stopping performance of the hit, which was the winner of ten 2021 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, after which, happy, confetti sprinkled guests headed to the After-Hours Fête post-performance party hosted by Co-Chairs Emma Coppola and Hannah Hunt. The party featured French-inspired fare including crepes from Whisk Crepes Café, parmesan and truffle pommes frites and croque monsieur, a full flowing bar with specialty themed cocktails, tunes spun by DJ Sheka, plus a special performance by Trap Opera Star Madelyn Brené. As patrons headed home, Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs provided their famous corny dogs as a late-night snack for the road.
THE VIBE: Creatively imagined by Hamilton A. Sneed of HAS Events, the Parisian affair at the Music Hall at Fair Park began with a pre-show cocktail reception and silent auction inside a French boudoir, followed by a four-course custom dinner menu created by FGF Catering paired with HALL wines. Taking its inspiration from the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret of the late 1800s and 1900s, the Crystal Terrace Dining Room was transformed into a modern Parisian-cabaret with the help of Fauxcades, Shag Carpet Props, Murray Media, Jan Strimple Productions and 25 plus other event partners.
The highlight of the dinner program featured 30-plus students from Guyer High School who participate annually in Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards performing “Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)” from Anastasia. Excitement then filled the room as paddles were raised high for exclusive live auction packages and a paddle raise. Broadway Dallas’ 2024 Gala featuring a full performance of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical was then announced and had guests marking their calendars for its future performance.
THE NON-PROFIT: The evening raised $870,000 in support of Broadway Dallas’ nonprofit’s mission to spread the gift of Broadway to more than 40,000 students and their families each year including 3,400 Dallas ISD students and more than 5,000 students from 72 schools who participate in the High School Musical Theatre Awards. In 2022, Dallas Summer Musicals changed its name to Broadway Dallas. Since 1941, the non-profit Broadway Dallas has presented the Best of Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, Broadway Dallas promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Broadway Dallas relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and develop impactful community programs.
