From soup to nuts, on Friday, February 2, 2024, Broadway Dallas Gala was a thorough experience that perfectly reflected the legend of the night — Tina Turner. Even before the curtain lifted for “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” at Fair Park’s Music Hall, nearly 400 guests, including Elizabeth and Mark Cannon, Helen and Brendan McGuire, Mary Lucille and Robert Quick, Toni and Phil Sanders, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Josey and Craig Kennington and Mabrie and Marshall Jackson, warmed up with cocktails inspired by Tina, followed by a dinner highlighted by a performance by Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and Frenship High School students that would have made “Proud Mary” proud. Then came the big show and an after-party. Here’s a report from the field:
On Friday, February 2, Broadway Dallas Gala Co-Chairs John Quattrocchi and Joseph DeMartino welcomed more than 380 Dallas leaders, philanthropists, and lovers of the arts to celebrate the magic of musical theater at Broadway Dallas’ 2024 Gala featuring a full performance of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” raising funds in support of Broadway Dallas’ education and community outreach programs and noted that friends and family came to join the evening from as far away as Bangkok.
Conceived by Mr. DeMartino in conjunction with Elisabeth Landry of Silver Lining Events and Co., guests began their Broadway meets Rock and Roll evening with a pre-show cocktail reception sponsored by Svedka Vodka sipping signature drinks “Private Dancer,” “The Queen of Rock and Roll” and “Paradise is Here,” while perusing the more than 70 silent auction items before being seated for dinner. Broadway Dallas President and CEO Ken Novice and Broadway Dallas Board Chair Mark Cannon welcomed the gala goers, with Bishop T.D. Jakes providing a moving invocation. A chef-curated, three-course dinner catered by FGF Catering, complete with a carrot cake dessert from Tina Turner’s own family recipe, was enjoyed by all before auctioneer Tim Willet started the official program with a live auction package from The Four Seasons Resort at Punta Mita and Naviva.
Then it was time to showcase the students!
Guests were treated to a Tina tribute medley performance by 21 students from Frenship High School, who participate annually in Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSTMA), along with 2023 HSMTA Outstanding Performer winner Fabiola Caraballo Quijada. H-E-B/Central Market Public Affairs Senior Director Mabrie Jackson extolled her enthusiasm for the education work of Broadway Dallas and introduced an impact video highlighted by Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall sharing her personal story on how much a ticket to a Broadway show changed her life. In the video, Marshall encouraged others to join her in support of Broadway Dallas, and T.D. Jakes echoed her comments stating, “If we don’t do this, we won’t have the workforce that we need for the world we are stepping into.” A robust paddle raise followed.
The evening continued with a show-stopping performance of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” an uplifting comeback story like no other, about the inspiring journey of the woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Following the performance, guests headed to the Tina-themed After Party sponsored by Neiman Marcus and The Lorenzo Hotel with beats played by Lucy Wrubel. Featuring select fashions from Neiman Marcus, “Tina’s Closet” was on full display for guests to admire while they enjoyed Tina’s favorite snack time indulgences. The cast of the show soon joined the party to mix and mingle and dance the night away with the crowd – the last guest leaving at 1:17 a.m.
“Words could never express the amount of gratitude and appreciation we have for our extraordinary supporters who share in our vision and see the potential impact we can continue to make in all corners of our community,” said Novice. “We believe in the power of live theater, and with the level of support we received at this year’s gala, we are able to continue making a difference in classrooms, community centers, and beyond through the special kind of magic only Broadway can deliver.”
In addition to the Gala Chairs, the 2024 Broadway Dallas Simply The Best table sponsors included FORVIS, The Massiatte Family, Michelle and Chris Mazzini, Sarah and Joseph DeMartino, Bets and Rod Miller, PNC Bank, Toni and Phil Sanders, The T.D. Jakes Foundation and HALL Group.
Proud Mary table underwriters — Baker McKenzie LLP, Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton, Elizabeth and Mark Cannon, Edward Jones, Frost Bank, Haynes and Boone, LLP, H-E-B, Larraine and David Lewis, Cecilia and John Morgan, Katie Morgan and Aaron Michelsohn, Gail Plummer and John Cattaneo, Sheri and Andrew Rosen, Natalie and Micah Smith, TEAMIZZY Foundation, Woodforest National Bank, Laura and Randy Wright and Western Addition Restaurant Group.
Gala proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to spread the gift of Broadway to more than 40,000 students and their families each year including 3,400 Dallas ISD students who participate in Dallas ISD Day and more than 5,000 students from 75 schools who participate in the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theater Awards.
* Photo credit: nbarrett photography