Musical Theatre West was in the spotlight for its always popular annual fundraiser, “Broadway in the Park,” on Aug. 16.

More than 400 guests enjoyed the evening at The Grand, starting with an interactive museum, a silent and live auction – and lots of performances throughout.

The Grand Ballroom was beautifully decorated and was the site of dinner, entertainment and a live auction. The evening was a tremendous success, raising $250,000 for Musical Theatre West’s various education outreach programs. The Catalina room was filled with the 200 colorful and festive baskets as guests mingled and bid while enjoying hors d’oeuvres. A record $43,255 was raised by the silent auction.

MTW President Suzie Price and General Manager Douglas Senecal welcomed the throng and introduced master of Ceremonies Bren Thor. Guests delighted in the featured performances from upcoming shows, including “Little Women,” “the Prince of Egypt,” “West Side Story,” “School of Rock,” “Kimberly Akimbo” and “White Christmas.” MTW will celebrate its 75th anniversary season performing at the Carpenter Center, beginning in February.

The vivacious Dawn Marie Kotsonis was the guest auctioneer for the event. The “raise your paddle” portion of the evening started with the exciting announcement of a $10,000 matching gift From Frank and Margie Newell. Norm and Trish Rasmussen immediately matched that $10,000. Additional generous giving resulted in a record $77,000 raised during that portion of the evening.

Major underwriters were The Grand, Craig McManigal, Joe and Edna Moore, Diane Spiegel, Don and Judy McNulty Black, Nancy Eilers, Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Dottie Reiner, Joan Wells, Barbara Bixby Blackwell, Ellen Chase, Bob and Janice Dominguez, Joel and Karen Fierberg, Dr. Robert and Susan Green, and Visit Long Beach.

Table sponsors included: American Plus Bank, Barbara Bixby Blackwell and Jean Bixby Smith, Jim and Liz Breslauer, Stephanie Davis, Bob and Janice Dominguez, Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Joel and Karen Fierberg, Dean Garrison and Gail Meredith, Paul Garman, James Gatske, Christine Neal and Jeannie Hankins, Randall Goddard and Scott Juhl, Shell Grossman, Kelly Janousek, Gene and LeAnn Johnson, Jeff and Leslie Kelly, Brian and Jana Kelly, Gary and Rebeccah Kirkpatrick, Joan Knight, Roxanne Korzeniowski, Richard Lederer, Marnos Lelesi, Lisa Maloney and Diane Spiegel, Bud and Celeste Macer, Joe and Edna Moore, Dian Morris, Jane Netherton, Mark and Suzie Price, John and Rita Primrose, Port of Long Beach, Carol Senske, Marlene Temple, Cynthia Terry, WaFd Bank, and Jan Hall Zollin.

MTW’s education outreach programs have increased to 18 in the last couple of years, with 21,000 Students participating last year, mainly from Long Beach Unified School District. Most popular are the student matinees of each of the shows, which will reach more than 12,000 students in 2026. Two touring shows go into the schools each spring, summer and fall, reaching another 9,000 students, and multiple classes are held throughout the year for young students, as well as adults.

This year’s committee was co-chaired by Randall Goddard and Celeste Macer, with committee members Lisa Maloney, Diane Spiegel, Lin Napial, Gloria Nelson, Marnos Lelesi, Jan Hall Zolin, Keith Goodner, Leslie Kelley, Charles and Roxanne Korzeniowski.

Ensuring the success of the evening were several committees. Silent auction co-chairs Lisa Maloney and Diane Spiegel, with the hardworking committee of Kay Berg, Nancy Eilers, Suzy Elliott, Jan Foster, Steven Hicke, Chris Huff, Gloria Nelson, Sandi Pearlman, Mary Kay Petersen, Ami Silverman, Dolorie Thurner, Marilyn Tyo and Temre Vouga.

Seen at the scene: Nancy Foster, Craig Dougherty and Jane Lastusky, Don and Julie Knabe, newlyweds Mary Sophiea and Leslie Capin, Dr. Grant and Debbie Uba, Jerry Bloeser and Jane Netherton, Jim and Vicki Cunningham, Dr. Robert and Nancy Conger, Carol Senske, Kay Bailey, Jim and Donna Hibbert, Mari Hooper, Ron and Angela Burkard, Bobbie Fessler, Annette Kashiwabara and Marty Isozaki, Phil and Laura Sblendorio, Shirlee Bouch, Lynne Pillsbury, Hank and Joyce Feldman.

News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.