Event Date: September 6, 2024
Location: Wortham Theater Center
Event: Gala
Beneficiary: Houston Ballet
No. in attendance: 230
Money raised: $325,000
Chairpersons: Mignon & Steve Gill and Fady Armanious & Bill Baldwin
Honoree: Lauren Anderson
Presenting Sponsor: Phoebe & Bobby Tudor and The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
Cuisine: City Kitchen
Décor: Bergner and Johnson
Photography: Daniel Ortiz
“The Little Mermaid” Made Guests “A Part of Their World” at Houston Ballet Opening Night Onstage Dinner
Houston Ballet celebrated the opening of the company’s 2024-2025 season at a performance and post-performance dinner onstage at Wortham Theater Center. Chairs Mignon & Steve Gill and Fady Armanious & Bill Baldwin were overjoyed as more than 230 guests helped raise $325,000 for the Ballet’s programs.
Phoebe & Bobby Tudor and The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts underwrote the opening night performance of John Neumeier’s interpretation of the beloved classic tale The Little Mermaid. Following the performance, the red curtain descended and attendees gathered in the Orchestra for a presentation. Artistic Directors Stanton Welch AM and Julie Kent recognized former prima ballerina Lauren Anderson for her legacy and tremendous impact on Houston Ballet. Within minutes of the performance’s conclusion, the stage was transformed into a seated dinner, and a dramatic lift of the same red curtain revealed the beautiful conversion.
Design company Bergner and Johnson created the enchanting décor inspired by the vibrant hues of the ocean. City Kitchen exquisitely crafted the three-course meal. The sumptuous cuisine began with Shrimp Louie, followed by Braised Beef Short Rib, and the final dessert course was a delicious Vanilla Panna Cotta—a great end to a record-breaking evening!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Chris Stanaway, Jim Nelson, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Laura Robertson, Akemi Saitoh, Kent and Shara Schaffer, Jordan Seff, Diana Skerl, Allison and Troy Thacker, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Margaret Alkek Williams, Melza and Ted Barr, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, James Cowan and William Taylor, Jo Furr, Ann and Murphy Graham, Michelle Jeffery, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Martha Finger, Jennifer Laporte, Kelley and Steven Lubanko, Jean and Henry May, Marvin and Martha McMurrey, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Richard Flowers and Angel Rios, Leigh Smith, Heidi and Marcus Smith, Liliana Soltero and Mike Hawkins, Dr. Tatiana Sorkin and Michel Coret, Ann Trammell, J. Michael and Ileana Treviño, Evelyn Leightman, Marguerite Swartz