Larry and Dee Higby: SCR is Their Motivation
At the Cast Party for Circle Mirror Transformation—sponsored by Scott’s Restaurant and Bar on Friday, January 14th—“What’s My Motivation?” was the featured drink. That fit right in with the play, which is set in an evening acting class for adults, where motivation matters.
It also matters to the play’s Honorary Producers Larry and Dee Higby, who may never have taken an acting class but have been intrigued by Annie Baker’s new play since the first day of rehearsal, when they took advantage of one of the special benefits for underwriters—attending a “table read” of the script.
Four weeks later, the Higbys were honored on the First Night of Circle Mirror Transformation and joined First Nighters after the show for a party that buzzed with excitement. The buzz grew with the arrival of the five actors, whose ensemble performance was the talk of the party.
“It’s impossible to choose your favorite actor in a play like this, where everyone was superb,” Dee said, and other First Nighters agreed as they discussed the play with the gracious and obliging actors. Also present to converse with the partygoers were the playwright Annie Baker and the director Sam Gold, both OBIE winners for the New York production.
Artists and First Nighters alike enjoyed the party ambiance of the restaurant’s newly renovated Murano Room and Private Dining Room and the adjoining patios, where the cool modern décor reflected a theatre prop—the exercise ball from Circle Mirror Transformation—with linen in silver and aqua blue, aqua blue votive candle holders and centerpieces in mirrored vases.
Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres included chicken satay, guajillo beef and fried mozzarella. The dining table was laden with grilled vegetable crudités, cucumber tartare, caprese salad and a domestic cheese display with dried fruit and artisanal breads. Another reflection of the play—its Vermont setting—was captured in one of the evening's desserts—a maple syrup and white chocolate mousse cup.
Taking advantage of good food and conversation, partygoers lingered into the evening, which was a grand celebration of the play, the artists and the Higbys, who have underwritten four plays at SCR, in addition to their other support over more than two decades.
(FYI: That “other support” includes the singular distinction of serving as presidents of the SCR Board—two terms for both Larry and Dee, who also co-chaired the Supper at Tiffany Gala in 2003 {Dee chaired the 1993 Gala as well}. Additionally they are members of the Platinum Circle, subscribers to both stages and major contributors to “SCR: The Next Stage” and the Legacy Campaign.)
