By:
Sherri Tilley
As part of Dallas Summer Musicals' celebration of 76 years of creating memories,
the Music Hall at Fair Park was whimsically transformed into a uniquely-magical setting for the 2016 Curtain Call Gala imaginatively themed Cirque du Musicale.
Elaborately-costumed performers greeted guests as they made their way through the VIP check-in and along a vibrantly-colorful promenade where strolling illusionists dazzled patrons with astonishing sleight-of-hand card tricks while a bustling silent auction alongside showcased items such as decorative boxes created by the casts of previous DSM shows. Well-dressed face-painted partygoers participated in games like scooping up a prize-winning lucky duck
from the Music Hall fountain and afterward stopped by the prop-filled photo area for a fun memento of the over-the-top evening.
A large variety of gourmet dining delights, which guests enjoyed 'ringside' or at fancifully-decorated tables, included New Zealand lamb chops, pistachio-crusted sea bass, bacon-wrapped shrimp filled with Boursin cheese, churro bites with tequila caramel in shooter glasses, and so much more. The full-scale, self-serve candy display was impressive enough to make Willy Wonka proud by offering a wide array of sweets like flavored popcorn, licorice sticks, assorted jelly beans, and oversized lollipops.
From the main theater stage, event chairs Suzanne and David Palmlund along with Mayor Michael Rawlings and DSM President Michael Jenkins gave opening remarks prior to a live auction of valuable prize packages consisting of a trip for two to the American Music Awards, a ski vacation in Utah, and a Rangers baseball suite experience for up to 24 people. Proceeds from the auction provide crucial financial support for a multitude of educational programs and outreach initiatives such as DSM Academy, Seats for Kids, Stage Right, DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards, and more.
A captivating cirque-styled show subsequently ensued featuring a performance by the Academy of Kids along with awe-inspiring feats of cirque entertainment by world-renowned contortionist Elayne Kramer (see video), award-winning juggler Vladik (see video), and the Flight of Inception strap act as well as a knock-out vocal performance by Dallas' own Red Songbird
Hilary Roberts.
The chic after-party in the exquisitely-designed cabaret lounge enabled many happy lingerers to enjoy fine cigars prepared onsite by professional cigar roller Ernesto Velez from Cuba or continue dancing until midnight to the live music of W.T. Greer and his band who capped off the evening with an absolutely beautiful rendition of All I Ask of You
from the Broadway smash hit Phantom of the Opera.
As a continuation of the wonderful programming provided by DSM, tickets are still available for the highly-anticipated return of Wicked (which begins its current run on Wednesday, April 20, 2016) along with ideal seating options for additional upcoming productions of Ragtime, Bullets Over Broadway, and 42nd Street. Stay tuned also for DSM's impending announcement of its newest season coming soon!
For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please visit:
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