Press Release: 2023-24 Gala

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY ANNOUNCES 2023 GALA—PLAY ON!

Part of SCR’s 60th Season Festivities & the Theatre Social Event of the Year

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Aug. 30, 2023)—South Coast Repertory’s 2023 Gala—Play On!—celebrates the theatre’s rich history—while looking forward to its vibrant future—by showcasing one of the special performers of the theatre’s 60th season. Celebrated actor/playwright/pianist Hershey Felder headlines the evening, which is Saturday, Oct. 14 at both SCR and the Westin South Coast Plaza.

The annual Gala is the theatre’s most vital fundraiser, with proceeds supporting SCR’s onstage artistry, as well as it’s education and outreach programs. Together, those programs reach more than 65,000 Southern California residents of all ages. Tickets and tables are now on sale by calling (714) 708-5521, at scr.org/gala, or by emailing [email protected].

The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail reception at SCR. Felder takes the stage at 6 p.m. and dinner follows at 7:30 p.m. at the Westin South Coast Plaza. Elite Show Band will play after dinner, providing entertainment and plenty of reasons to get on the dance floor. The Gala will conclude with an after party upstairs in the Terrace Pavilion at The Westin—where guests will dance to a DJ’s beat and enjoy late-night bites and drinks.

Felder will perform selections from his Great American Songbook Sing-Along, where he will take the audience through 100 years of music during a special performance beginning at 6 p.m. on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Felder will incorporate the music of such American icons as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and George and Ira Gershwin, along with songs from The Sound of Music, Showboat, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific and other noteworthy pieces. As the name suggests, guests are encouraged to sing along.

This special performance gives Gala patrons a sneak peek at Felder’s artistry. Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone will have a limited engagement Jan. 18-28, 2024. This special offering for SCR’s 60th season is part of the farewell tour for this production.

Kristen and Adrian Griggs chair the 2023 Gala Committee. The husband-and-wife team have been energetic supporters of SCR. Adrian Griggs serves on the SCR Board of Trustees as Vice President/Finance. They were honorary producers for the 2023 Pacific Playwrights Festival and they are First Night (opening night) subscribers on both the Segerstrom and Julianne Argyros stages.

“For both of us, this is quite an honor to be asked, given how monumental this 60th season is,” Adrian Griggs said. “It’s quite the milestone. I think our biggest things are to make it an enjoyable event, but also make it a special night, given that this is the 60th season. When people are there, they’ll have a great time and they’ll be able to experience some of the history of how SCR started and how it grew to where it is today.”

Kristen Griggs added, “Every time we make a decision in terms of visuals or decorations, we’re keeping that in mind that this is an ode to 60 years of SCR. We’re trying to reflect on what the theatre has done in that period of time and showcase that.”

The 2023 Gala will also feature a raffle of exclusive luxury items and unique experiences. Single raffle tickets are $300 each or five for $1,200, with the proceeds helping further SCR’s artistic and educational missions. Winners need not be present to win. Visit scr.org/gala for additional details and purchasing information.

The 60th Season Gala Committee members include Sophie and Larry Cripe, Wendy Hales, Michael Hards, Mariam Khosravani, Talya Nevo-Hacohen and Bill Schenker, Giulia Newton, Stacey Nicholas, Regina Oswald, Stephanie Rogers, Susan Shieldkret and Tammy Tang.

Early underwriters for the 2023 Gala include Diamond Underwriter South Coast Plaza, Gold Underwriters Apriem Advisors, Argyros Family Foundation, Steve and Laurie Duncan, Talya Nevo-Hacohen and Bill Schenker, Pacific Life Foundation, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and Samuel and Tammy Tang. The Silver Underwriters are Leona Aronoff, Sophie and Larry Cripe, Mariam Khosravani, Stephen G. & Regina Oswald Foundation and Michael Ray and the Cocktail Sponsors are Susan Shieldkret and David Dull.

A limited number of $1,500 Gala single tickets are available. For table sponsorships, information on upgraded single-ticket packages or sponsorships, please contact SCR at (714) 708-5521.

Location: South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway in the David Emmes/Martin Benson Theatre Center, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Parking is available on Park Center Drive, off Anton Boulevard.

For the Gala, valet parking will take place at the Westin before the 5 p.m. reception.

2023-24 Productions: Quixote Nuevo, Sept 30-Oct. 28, 2023; A Raisin in the Sun, Oct. 22-Nov. 12; A Christmas Carol, Nov. 25-Dec. 24; Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone, Jan. 18-28, 2024; (Theatre for Young Audiences) Alice’s Wonderland, Feb. 10-25; Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical, April 5-May 4; A World Premiere to be Announced, April 21-May 12. Outside SCR at Mission San Juan Capistrano, July 20-Aug. 11. The annual showcase of new works, the Pacific Playwrights Festival, runs May 3-5, 2024.

Complete information is available at www.scr.org.