Local to be honored at Ridgefield Playhouse Gala on October 10

Get “Up Close and Personal” with Smokey Robinson at The Ridgefield Playhouse 15^th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 10

This season kicks off the 15^th Anniversary of The Ridgefield Playhouse with a tribute to not only Motown, as legend Smokey Robinson takes the stage, but also a tribute to those who have been instrumental in making the Playhouse a leading performing arts center in this area- the past Board Presidents. 

Honorees include:

 Barbara Manners, the founder and first president of the Ridgefield Playhouse who is now best known as one of Ridgefield’s Selectman as well as for creating CHIRP, producing amazing free concerts throughout the summer in Ballard Park and Acoustic Celebration, an affordable Sunday evening singer/songwriter series. 

Andrea Gartner who, in addition to being the 3^rd President of the Board of Directors, was involved in many fundraising activities that helped establish the arts in this community.  She recently just left her post as Executive Director of City Center Danbury so that she could start her own consulting firm and give a go at politics by running for Danbury Council in this year’s elections.  

Author Jane Turner is committed to non-profit work and, as an animal advocate, she loves dogs as much as she loves the arts!  In addition to being the 4^th President of the Board, Jane has been also been active with ROAR, Ridgefield Academy, The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and is the creator of Dogly.com.  

Many area non-profits have benefitted from the time and talent of Jerry Miller, the Playhouse’s fifth Board President.  He has been instrumental in fundraising for the Playhouse since the very beginning.  He has also volunteered with many New Canaan non-profits including Salvation Army of New Canaan and Darien, Kiwanis Club of New Canaan, New Canaan Volunteer Center, among others. 

Michael Byl, the sixth President of the Board, combined his passion for two non-profits and his passion for running when he created House Calls.  The 26 mile run to benefit Amos House, which serves the needs of homeless families, and The Ridgefield Playhouse.  House Calls had its first run in 2010, raising over $9000 for both charities. 

As current Board President Scott Schneider has been a lightning rod in taking The Ridgefield Playhouse to the next level and has also been an annual underwriter of Shakespeare on the Green & Green Expo – a free event for the community, as well as a sponsor of each season’s Gala event. 

In addition to the honorees this year’s Arts Volunteer Award recipient is Alexandra Goodstadt, who has, along with her late husband George, taken their love for art and heart for giving and combined them by donating Hirschfeld prints to more than 20 different organizations- including A Better Chance, ROAR, the Ridgefield Symphony and many many more. 

This Gala event begins at 5:30 p.m. with open bar, gourmet food by the area’s best restaurants, exciting silent and live auction items and a very special performance by Motown Legend Smokey Robinson who rarely performs in venues this size.  This performance will be his first performance combing storytelling along with his greatest hits including “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “Tears of a Clown” and many, many more.

For tickets ($250), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.