“Play It Forward” Garners $600K at Annual Gala

For Immediate Release
March 20, 2015
Press Contact: Marilyn Langbehn
510.809.3290
[email protected]
California Shakespeare Theater’s “Play It Forward”
Garners $600K at Annual Gala
“Play It Forward” paddle-raise earns $200K
for Cal Shakes’ work in classrooms, and in communities
Outgoing Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone Honored by Artists and Colleagues
Berkeley, CA – San Francisco’s elegant Four Seasons hotel, its ballroom transformed into a mesmerizing
swirl of vibrant, electric colors, provided the dramatic setting for California Shakespeare Theater’s 20th
annual gala, Play It Forward, on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Led by Gala Chair Maureen Knight, the
event grossed $600,000 and welcomed more than 300 attendees.
“We are so grateful for the support of so many who “Played it Forward” with us last Saturday,”
commented Cal Shakes Managing Director Susie Falk. “The impact of our annual gala is significant—
opening doors to the experience of live theater, to learning through the arts and Shakespeare’s timeless
poetry, and to the stories and voices of all our community members.”
Dazzling jewel-toned walls by Blueprint Studios and colorful costumes from Cal Shakes performances
greeted the guests as they arrived. The lively crowd engaged in a number of good-natured bidding wars
for one-of-a-kind packages including getaways to Glen Ellen, Stinson Beach, and Lake Tahoe; a priceless
football signed by San Francisco 49er greats Steve Young and Jerry Rice; a personal tour and shopping
spree from McCroskey Mattress; 18 holes at San Francisco’s exclusive Olympic Club; a quintessential
film noir experience at many of legendary author Dashiell Hammett’s favorite haunts; plus
an extraordinary array of wines and spirits, among others.
Following the cocktail hour, the party-goers joined Cal Shakes Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone and
Managing Director Susie Falk in the ballroom to dine on Delta Asparagus and Living Watercress with
Baby Turnips, Pickled Beech Mushrooms, Poached Egg Emulsion and Sherry Vinaigrette; followed by
Braised Beef Short Ribs with Brandt Farm Beef Bacon Hash, Pee Wee Potatoes, Rapini and Turnips,
Apricot Relish, and Preserved Lemon Jus; served with 2012 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay,
2012 Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2011 Pennywise Pinot Noir. For dessert the guests were
treated to Black Forest Cheesecake comprised of Flourless Chocolate Cake, Cream Cheese Mousse,
Brandied Cherry Gelee, and Whipped Cream; and Orange Praline Bar made of Hazelnut Streusel, Brown
Butter Budino, and Lemon Verbena Ice Cream, all served with Peet’s signature Major Dickason’s Blend
Coffee and Assorted Rishi Teas.
One of the many highlights of the evening was a tribute to outgoing Cal Shakes Artistic Director
Jonathan Moscone. Introduced by Board President Jean Simpson and Susie Falk, artists James
Carpenter, Margo Hall, and Catherine Castellanos; Cal Shakes Board Member Ellen Dale; Berkeley Rep
Artistic Director Tony Taccone; Carmel Bach Festival Executive Director (and former Cal Shakes
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Managing Director) Debbie Chinn; and Disney Channel star Zendaya and her mother, former Cal Shakes
house manager Claire Stoermer, all spoke movingly of Jonathan’s legacy, their gratitude for his work,
and their excitement about Cal Shakes’ future. The tribute was capped by a standing ovation from the
guests as a visibly touched Moscone took the stage.
Moscone’s inspiring speech was followed by a brief video created by Corduroy Media using
Shakespeare’s famous “Seven Ages of Man” speech from As You Like It, and featuring Cal Shakes
community partners from RAW Talent/RYSE Youth Center, students from St. Cornelius School in
Richmond, and actors Ron Campbell, Margo Hall, Danny Scheie, and Catherine Castellanos. The final
exhortation from each group to “Play It Forward!” set the stage for a rousing live auction. Led by
auctioneer extraordinaire Greg Quiroga, guests bid enthusiastically and generously on exclusive
packages, including: trips to Italy, France, and Bali; a week’s stay at a beautiful casa in Mexico with
airfare provided by United Airlines; a specially-cooked Italian dinner by Cal Shakes Artistic Director
Jonathan Moscone and husband Darryl Carbonaro; a walk-on role in Cal Shakes’ upcoming production
of The Mystery of Irma Vep, directed by Moscone in his final production as Cal Shakes Artistic Director;
VIP tours of Pixar with lead animator Andrew Gordon, and AT&T Park with the “Voice of the
Giants” Renel Brooks-Moon; and dinner for four at Chez Panisse with owner Alice Waters. A highlight
of the auction was the “Play It Forward” paddle-raise, which, after a rousing testimonial by Cal Shakes
Director of Artistic Learning Clive Worsey, generated $200,000 in direct support for Cal Shakes’
education programs and “All the Bay’s a Stage” Community Tour. Finally, guests packed the dance floor
and boogied into the night to the sounds of DJ Dave Tutton.
The Lead Corporate Partners for Play It Forward were City National Bank and John Muir Health; other
distinguished Corporate Partners include Archer Norris, Baker Ave, Chevron, Corduroy Media, Meyer
Sound, Northhighland Worldwide Consulting, PwC, and Shakespeare Vodka.
Photos available at www.DrewAltizer.com.
ABOUT CAL SHAKES
Founded in 1974, and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone in his final
season, and Managing Director Susie Falk, California Shakespeare Theater strives for everyone,
regardless of age, circumstance or background, to discover the relevance of theater in their lives. Over
the last decade, our Main Stage interpretations of Shakespeare and the classics, performed at the solarpowered, environmentally sustainable Bruns Amphitheater, have earned a national reputation for their
immediacy and artistry. Through its New Works/New Communities program (launched in 2003), Cal
Shakes has directly engaged members of disparate communities in the creation of new works of theater
that reflect their voices. The Triangle Lab builds on this work to conduct community-based experiments
aimed at revealing a new relevance for theater-making in society through creative responses to changes
in the cultural landscape that are so dramatically impacting the field. Established in 2001, Cal Shakes’
Artistic Learning program is our primary vehicle for increasing access to arts education. Multi-faceted
programming ignites creative youth voices through a continuum of education programs that annually
serve thousands of diverse urban, suburban and rural students. For more information on the entirety of
Cal Shakes work on stage, in schools, and in communities, go to www.calshakes.org.
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