It’s unusual for a cast to socialize with fans and supporters on the evening prior to an opening performance, but producer Michael Childers knows how to make his production opportunities last as long as possible, even if the show is titled, One Night Only.
This year’s benefit was a tribute to composer Jerry Herman, who is known for Hello, Dolly!, La Cage aux Folles, Mame, and many other memorable Broadway musicals. The continuously sold-old One Night Only event has supported Jewish Family Service of the Desert for 12 years under Childers’ stewardship. This year, there was a lot of celebration prior to the performance.
Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler co-hosted the cast party at Galen’s Rancho Mirage estate and commissioned the Palm Springs High School Band to pep up guests with their rendition of Herman’s “Hello, Dolly!”
Much of the evening found supporters and talent mixing and munching on a wide array of delicious bites from Lulu California Bistro.
After Galen and Kabler welcomed everyone to the home and thanked guests for supporting One Night Only, Childers introduced the sponsors and began to introduce the cast members who would be preforming at the McCallum Theatre the following evening. Introductions were followed by a Broadway lover’s dream as many of the performers — including Jason Graae, David Burnham, and Liz Callaway — sang to the guests while Todd Schroeder of Postmodern Jukebox worked the keyboard.
The evening’s performers and celebrity guests included Faith Prince, Klea Blackurst, Karen Ziemba, Lee Roy Reams, Luci Arnaz and husband Laurence Luckinbill, Senator Barbara Boxer, Peter Marshall, Christine Andreas, Hal Holbrook, and Ruta Lee.
Jewish Family Service of the Desert
490 S. Farrell Dr, C208, Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-4088
www.jfsdesert.org
Photography by Loretta Vlach
