Houston’s Beloved Alley Theatre Celebrates 75 Years With Dramatic Lines and a $650,000 Windfall

Alley Theatre founder the late Nina Vance would have been delighted with the gala dinner celebrating the theater’s 75 years of performances that have enriched the cultural life of Houstonians and won a few Tonys along the way. Highlight of the evening at The Post Oak Hotel was the 30-minute tribute to the Alley starring members of the theater’s resident acting company.

Alley Lifetime Trustee Lois Stark narrated the film, produced by Ttweak, that combined the theater’s history with lines from some of its most memorable productions. Making cameo appearances were board president Ken Kades, managing director Dean Gladden and artistic director Rob Melrose, all of whom were present on the momentous evening.

Chaired by longtime Alley patron Kathryn Ketelsen, the event raised more than $650,000 for the Alley’s artistic, education and community programs.

Throughout the dinner, the cocktail-attired group of a mere 250 were entertained with memorable show tunes performed on piano by Rob Landes. The night concluded with a musical performance by Tony- and Grammy Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik along with Broadway star Jennifer Damiano. The duo presented songs from Sheik’s past Broadway shows including American Psycho and Spring Awakening as well as songs from Noir, which will premiere on stage at the Alley this spring.

Responsible for the chic supper club setting was Scott Konitzer of Blooming Gallery with rapturous florals in red and orange by John Friedman.

PC Scene: Markley Crosswell, Lynn Wyatt, George Stark, Mady Kades, Dancie and Jim Ware, Dianne and Fred Burns,  Ford Hubbard, Janie and Daniel Zilkha, Carmen and Butch Mach, Connie and Roger Plank, Jonathan Cox and Margaret Vaughn Cox, and Travis Torrence.