Meet the “Quixote Nuevo” Honorary Producers

Two couples with long and distinguished records of supporting the arts and a longtime SCR corporate partner have signed on as Honorary Producers for Quixote Nuevo.

Honorary producers are the unseen heroes behind SCR productions. They underwrite the shows, providing the funding support for the exceptional talent you see on SCR stages. Their generosity merges with the talent on stage and back stage to create the world-class theatre SCR is known for producing.

Connie and Dr. Peter Spenuzza/Spenuzza Velastegui Family Foundation return for their second production as Honorary Producers. This summer, they made their honorary-producer debut with Outside SCR’s production of La Havana Madrid at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Spenuzzas’ history with SCR began back in 2006, when they subscribed to the First Nights series on the Segerstrom Stage and then continued their support of the Gala the following year.

Since then, their more than 15-year history supporting SCR has been extended through a variety of ways, including several years as members of the Platinum Circle. The Spenuzzas serve as leaders and advocates for the arts in Orange County and their Spenuzza Velastegui Family Foundation has a time-honored history of supporting arts and education. This season, Connie joined the SCR Board of Trustees.

Joining them are Socorro and Ernesto Vasquez, who return as honorary producers for their 11th production, a roster that includes La Havana Madrid, Clean/Espejos, American Mariachi (both at Outside SCR and on the Segerstrom Stage), Culture Clash (Still) in America and the Theatre for Young Audiences production of Ella Enchanted: The Musical and Destiny of Desire (both 2016).

In addition to their leadership support as honorary producers, the Vasquezes are current members of Platinum Circle, were donors to the Next Stage Campaign and have been major underwriters of many SCR Galas, including “Encantar: As if by Magic” and “Encore!,” both of which Socorro chaired. In recognition of her distinguished service to SCR, Socorro is an Emeritus Trustee of the theatre. Ernesto is currently a member of the Board of Trustees and chairs the Facilities Committee. 

The Corporate Honorary Producer is another familiar SCR partner—U.S. Bank. It adds Quixote Nuevo to its impressive history of supporting SCR productions, which include Nina Simone: Four Women, What I Learned in Paris, American Mariachi, Once, The Tempest, Death of a Salesman and the Stephen Sondheim classic, A Little Night Music. In addition, Tara Netherton and Bruce Wagner of U.S. Bank serve on SCR’s Board of Trustees.