Music Theater Works’ annual gala, the Producers Gala: Luck Be a Lady, was held Saturday, April 5, at the Michigan Shores Club. The 2025 fundraiser broke previous gala records, raising more than $220,000 with 200 guests attending. The night included performances, live auctions, a paddle raise, gaming, and the presentation of the fourth annual Joyce Ruth Saxon Award for Excellence to Dr. Robert and Marilyn Arensman.
The Producers Gala, with its Las Vegas theme on the heels of the recent Music Theater Works production of “Guys and Dolls,” began with a Queen of Hearts (Dina DeConstanzo) serving sparkling wine to guests and jazz pianist Sam Grossner setting the mood. Cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres were also available for all joining Music Theater Works for its celebration of the year past and a look to the future.
After the cocktail hour, attendees were seated in the ballroom where Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan began the dinner portion of the night by welcoming all and thanking the Producers Gala Co-chairs Sasha Gerritson and Stephanie Bryan Kangas; the Producers Gala Committee: Valerie Romano Larson, Rachel Pethiyagoda, Megan Piazza and Amrit Singh for creating a magical night. Dougan also thanked the Luck Be a Lady sponsors: Joyce Ruth Saxon Bequest, Binny’s Beverage Depot, Wintrust Financial, Northbrook Bank and Trust, Byline Bank, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, the village of Skokie, the Elizabeth Louise Smith Fund and Music Theater Works’ board, advisory board, staff and Event Manager Lisa McGowan.
Before introducing the evening’s co-chairs, Dougan took a moment to highlight two special people attending from the Legacy Board, Pam Pattibone and Jeff Collins, for their combined 50 years of service. Co-chairs Sasha Gerritson and Stephanie Bryan Kangas then thanked attendees, sharing that the funds raised not only support Music Theater Works’ artistic programs of bringing Broadway-style musicals to the North Shore, but also support YouthREACH, Music Theater Works’ programming sharing the arts with 8 – 18 year olds. Funds from the night also supported CommunityREACH, the organization’s outreach programs for the disabled community and senior citizens, and provided complimentary tickets to performances through the public library system.
Attendees enjoyed performances from the 2025 season and a sneak peek of the 2026 season. There was also a live auction with prizes including a trip with Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan to attend the National Alliance Musical Theatre conference in New York City, an in-home concert with catering from Hearty Boys, a custom-created garment by “Project Runway” fashion designer Justin LeBlanc, a Colorado Rocky Mountain retreat, and a private MTW orchestra rehearsal and dinner.
Dougan returned to the stage to introduce the fourth annual Joyce Ruth Saxon Award for Excellence to Dr. Robert and Marilyn Arensman. The night continued with the paddle raise and then concluded with guests going to a gaming room for dessert, “cigarette girls” offering candy instead of cigars, and a variety of casino games where the crowd could trade their winnings for raffle entries.
The night’s performers included Lydia Burke, Jeffrey Charles, Desiree Gonzalez, Mai Hartwich, Khaki Pixley, Madison Jaffe-Richter, Connor Ripperger, Callan Roberts, Ava Stovall, and Korey White with Queen of Hearts Dina DiCostanza and Cigarette Girls Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor and Emily Holland. The orchestra, led by Eugene Dizon, included Lindsay Williams, Eric Von Holst, Mike Lockler, Cara Strauss, Greg Strauss, and Emily Fischer.
How to Help
Donations to Music Theater Works support community arts, including the cast and crew behind MTW shows, young artists in the YouthREACH program, and discounted and free tickets to underprivileged community members through the TicketREACH program. Donations also support local community partners and programs such as the Skokie Public Library, Niles District 119, Thresholds Rehab, the Village of Skokie, and the Evanston Mayor’s Youth Jobs Fair.
