ETC’s Birthday Bash

Ensemble Theatre Company closed out its 40th anniversary season with a special birthday cabaret, preceded by a fun fête, chaired by Gwen Baker, on the New Vic’s stage for VIP donors.

Culinary whiz Michael Hutchings‘ catering company provided the comestibles for the 150 guests prior to the entertaining show, which featured appearances from past ETC productions, including Frank Lawson from Porgy and Bess – the most popular show of the season –, LaVon Fisher Wilson from Cookin’ at the Cookery, Misty Cotton, who appeared in Tell Me on a Sunday and A Little Night Music, plus the legendary singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom, who winged in from London for the bash, accompanied by Erin Bonski Evans and Michele Brourman on piano.

Others appearing included Saundra McClain from the latest show Dancing Lessons; Tiffany Story from Woyzeck; Karyl Lynn Burns, producing artistic director of the Rubicon Theatre Company; and Henry Challen.

Among the guests, who also enjoyed flutes of champagne and slices of cake made by Michael’s wife, Christine Dahl, after the show were artistic director Jonathan Fox, Ginny Brush, George Konstantinow, Helene Segal, James Breen, Leah Temkin, Kathy Weber, Bob and Leah Tomkin, Sybil Rosen, Geoffrey and Joan Rutkowski, Susan Keller, Duncan Mellichamp, Stefan and Christine Riesenfeld, Derek Westen, Dan and Meg Burnham, Simon Williams, Sam Tyler, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Polly Griscom, and Betty Fussell.