Dorothy, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and many munchkins all graced the stage Thursday night as the Colorado Ballet presented a magical evening at the Ellie Calkins Opera House. The “An Evening in Oz” gala began with a cocktail reception featuring surprise jewelry boxes donated by John Atencio, a wine pull provided by the Colorado Ballet Auxiliary and a small silent auction.
Guests were treated to entertainment on the Ellie stage with excerpts from the world premiere tour of The Wizard of Oz, a spectacular joint production between Colorado Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Created by world-renowned choreographer Septime Webre, who Colorado Ballet fans remember for his spectacular production of Alice (in wonderland), this production features a line-up of world-class designers and music by Matthew Pierce.
Gala Co-chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger and Rachel and Yuval Moskovich thanked supporters and gave an update on the Colorado Ballet Academy’s educational and community engagement programs. Artistic Director Gil Boggs took the stage to also share appreciation, followed by Doug Tisdale, once again serving as auctioneer extraordinaire.
Following the entertainment and auction, an elaborate dinner created by Kevin Taylor was served in the Chambers Grant Salon and the Ellie Loge. After dinner guests stayed for dancing on the stage to music provided by DJ Larry.
Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore, but in a much more magical and colorful place: The Colorado Ballet.
BJ Dyer/Bouquets provided centerpieces for the gala.
Volunteers in Oz character helped to greet guests and track silent auction items.
The Colorado Ballet team that put the gala together
Gala Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich
Jan Hammond, left, Dianne Bartlett, Lorraine Salazar and Sherry Huntsinger
Gala Co-Chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger
Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich, left, JoAnne Zboyan and Board Chair Duke Hartman
Co-chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger with Doug Tisdale
Rob and Michelle Applegate (board member)
Emily Hemming, left, and Erin Nichols
Jill Long, left, Tammy Rothbauer and Tammy Derouin
Board co-chairs Liz Katkin and Duke Hartman with JoAnne Zboyan
Arlene Johnson, left, Craig Fleishman and Jan Hammond
Guests and Oz characters
Lori Szymanski, left, Jacquelyn Bassett, Nancy Brandwein
Emily Hemming, left, Mick Ostermeyer, Erin Nichols, Adam and Silvia Sexton
Steve Bosley and Kay Ferry
Susan Stiff, left, and Allie Coppeak
Susan Stiff and Howard Janzen
Guests ready to see Wizard of Oz
BJ Dyer and Christin Crampton Day
Cari and Mary Spiecker, left, and Adam and Silvia Sexton
Jody Grossman and Mark Heiser
Ballet Auxiliary Chair Alyson and Chris Graves
Michael Korenblat, left, Brandon Lloyd and Lee Vickers
Sandi Hewins, left, Craig Fleishman, JoAnne Zboyan and Doug Tisdale
Allie Coppeak and Dr. Irv Arenberg, whose autographed book was one of the silent auction items
Rachel Moskovich, left, compares notes with Allie Coppeak
Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz with her daughter Zoey and Laura Greb
Guests toasting to Wizard of Oz
Curt and Nancy Hockemeier
Jim and Denise Sanderson (board member)
Pat Robinson, left, and Lorraine Salazar
Colleen Curran, left, Kevin and Stephanie Tung, Linda and Jimmy Yip
Jeremy Rau and Sarah Tryon
Bill Silberstein and Joanne Posner-Mayer (board member)
Edie Bell, left, and Denise Sanderson
Lark Katchur and a friend check out the silent auction items
Gala Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich, left, and Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger on stage
Artistic Director Gil Boggs says a few words on stage
Doug Tisdale returned as auctioneer extraordinaire
Natalia Ballinger & Michael Korenblat and Rachel & Yuval Moskovich
Committee Members:
Liz Arnold, Edie Bell, Kristin Bender, Nancy Boland, Blake Brown, Aimee Caplis (emcee), Allie Coppeak, Colleen Curran, Christie Del Ciotto, Adam Diskin, Denae Duesler, BJ Dyer, Steve Edmonds, Erin Ferris Dollarhide, Kaye Ferry, Terri Fisher, Alyson Graves, Jan Hammond, Duke Hartman, Linda Heiss, Nancy Hemming, Amber Human, Liz Katkin, Joe Maslowski, Kris McMullan, Meredith Milshtein, Michelle Moorman-Applegate, Jackie Rotole, Julie Sachs, Denise Sanderson, Adam Sexton, Jennifer Stamper, Susan Stiff, Susan Struna, Doug Tisdale (auctioneer) and Adrienne Toon
Sponsors:
Gold: Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane, Chrissy and Andrew Fedorowicz, Paul Goodspeed and Mary Poole, the Hartman Family, Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger, Mary Lou and Don Kortz, Rachel and Yuval Moskovich, Susan and Stephen Struna; Silver: Lisa Levin Appel, Michelle Moorman Applegate and Robert Applegate, Kaye Ferry and Frank Wiederman, Zach and Katie Frisch, Chris and Alyson Graves, Jan Hammond, Jackie Rotole, Adrienne Toon and Chris Taravella; Anadarko, Arrow Electronics, Cigna, LDK Logistics, MidFirst Bank, Sherwin-Williams, Independence Capital Holdings, Bank of the West BNP Paribas, Colorado Ballet Auxiliary, Davis Graham & Stubbs, Holland & Hart, Muon, New Health, Polsinelli, Richards Carrington, Reilly Pozner LLP, Stifel Baroway Financial Group, Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Auctioneer:
Doug Tisdale
Menu:
Yellow Brick Road beet salad, Wicked Witch of the West braised short ribs, Glenda's strawberry parfait
Attendance:
700+
Attire:
Cocktail
Special Thanks:
PNC Wealth Management, Colorado Ballet Board of Trustees, Colorado Ballet Auxiliary, Colorado Ballet Gala Committee, Christie Del Ciotto--Sherwin Williams, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Cameron Guenther, Xavier Erran, Chef Alberto Soto and Kevin Taylor restaurant group staff, BJ Dyer--Bouquets, Scott Hardesty--gala video, Skinny Winker--SSS Productions
Florist:
BJ Dyer, Bouquets
Ticket Prices:
$350; young professionals: $250
Board of Directors:
Executive Board: Co-chairs--Duke Hartman and Elizabeth Katkin; Secretary--JoAnne Zboyan; Treasurer and finance co-chair--William Tryon; Finance co-chair--Brent Backes; Emeritus board liaison--Merry Logan; Advancement chair--Colleen Curran; Academy co-chairs--Raydean Acevedo, Holly Baroway; Board governance co-chairs--Adrienne Toon, Esq., Michael Korenblat, Esq.; Long-range planning chair--Greg Laugero; Marketing and public relations chair--Susan Bailey; Education and community engagement chair--Joanne Posner-Mayer; Colorado Ballet Auxiliary President--Alyson Graves; Trustees: Lisa Levin Appel, Michelle Moorman Applegate, Jean Armstrong, Steven Blazek, Christina Crow, Kaye Ferry, Ann Frick, Anne Hillary, Gail Kassan, Lisa Konen, Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz, Richard Kylberg, Joe Maslowski, Jane Netzorg, Cleo Rauchway, Barbara Reed MD, Cheri Rubin, Denise Sanderson, Suzan Schlatter, Brad Sonnenberg, Nancy Stevens, Bernee Strom, Susan Struna, Frank Wiederman; Ex-officio--Mark Heiser; Lifetime trustees: Raydean Acevedo, Duke Hartman, Dick Saunders; Emeritus board: Liz and Bill Armstrong, Anna Bates, Christin Crampton Day, Sandy Elliott, Henny Lasley, David Ramsay, Jim Ruh, Lisa Snider, Harry Sterling