Inside Houston’s Forest of Lighted Christmas Trees — This Theatre Turns Its Lobby Into a Holiday Wonderland

The Alley Brings the Magic

BY Shelby Hodge // 12.06.21

photography Priscilla Dickson

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'Candy Land' Tree by Sherry Boudreaux of Simply Sherry at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

'It Takes A Village' by Alisa Staggs of Holli Day Décors at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Event co-chairs Rose Hochner Nelson and Eloise Brice with Rob Melrose at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

The magnificent 20-foot 'Believe' tree from Macy's at the Alley Theatre's 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Occidental sponsor Mark Grommesh with tree designer Sherry Boudreaux and her husband, Walter, at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Alley board president Ken Kades & Mady Kades with Alley artistic director Rob Melrose at the 'Deck the Trees' event (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

May Luu and August Martinez had the honor of flipping the switch to light the trees at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Tree' fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Angela & Craig Jarchow at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

'Holly Dolly Christmas' by Rainey Richardson Designs for the Alley Theatre's 'Deck the Trees' fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Ivette & Michael Mayo at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Ruthie Siska, Blanca Beltran, Maria Lira, Dr. Sergio Lira, Ivette Mayo at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Thanh Luu with daughters Tam (2) and May (10) at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' fundariser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

'Christmas in Whoville' by Fronnie Flowers-Valencia at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Carroll Robertson Ray, Deborah Lackey, Rose & Robby Nelson at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jessica Brown and Strake Mother’s Club Tree, 'O’ Holy Night' at the Alley Theatre's 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Eloise and Stephen Brice at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

'The Ranch' tree by Village Greenery at the Alley Theatre's 'Deck the Trees' annual fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Friends of the Alley Theatre at the annual 'Deck the Trees' evening (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

'Candy Land' Tree by Sherry Boudreaux of Simply Sherry at the Alley Theatre 'Deck the Trees' fundraiser (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

What: The Alley Theatre “Deck the Trees” official tree lighting ceremony

Where: The Alley Theatre

PC Moment: Highlight of the whimsical evening was flipping the giant switch to light all the trees at one magical moment. Youngsters May Luu and August Martinez — with an assist from Alley artistic director Rob Melrose — did the honors. Oohhs, aahhs and applause followed as the 600 guests embraced the holiday spirit.

Eloise Brice and Rose Hochner Nelson chaired the merry night that raised more than $175,000 for the theater’s artistic, educational and community engagement initiatives.

More than 34 dreamy trees graced the various levels of the Alley lobby including the 20-foot Macy’s “Believe” tree and a whimsical Candy Land Tree decorated by Sherry Boudreaux of Simply Sherry. Thanking the full contingent of designers and guests was Alley board president Ken Kades.

The Four Seasons Hotel provided treats for the throng including short rib ramen, Swedish meatballs, California sushi rolls and a hot chocolate bar with Christmas cookies.

Elizabeth Anthony

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ASSAEL

OLYMPIA LE-TAN

EMILY P. WHEELER

MARIA OLIVER

KATHERINE JETTER

MEREDITH YOUNG

LEIGH MAXWELL

MEREDITH YOUNG

Among those contributing two trees to the display were Alway in Season, The Events Company, the American Society of Interior Designers, Fronnie Flowers, Holli Day Décors, Amano and Macy’s.

PC Seen: Mady Kades, Walter Boudreaux, Stephen Brice, Angela and Craig Jarchow, Charlene Brandau, Lynda Broussard, George and Sandy Shipley, Anne Mundy, Fronnie and Ricardo Valencia, Ivette and Michael Mayo, Dea Chincuanco, and Jessica and Maurice Brown.