Houston’s Mad Men Night: Glamorous Scene Brings in Big Bucks for Stages

What: Stages Repertory Theatre Talk of the Town Gala.

Where: The Astorian.

Who: Co-chairs Debbie Festari and Mauri Oliver; underwriting chairmen Jo and Jim Furr; auction co-chairs Tatiana Galitzine and Nicole Lassiter; entertainment co-chairs Mauney Mafrige and Rob Rutherford; honoree Tara Simon, receiving the Stages’ Theodore Award for Visionary Leadership; fellow underwriters Isla and Tommy Reckling, Jane and Dick Schmitt, and Vivian Wise (as well as Ted Swindley Productions, Gensler, Hines, and United Airlines); Stages artistic director Kenn McLaughlin; managing director Mark Folkes; Stages board chairman George Lancaster; founding artistic director emeritus Ted Swindley; auction winners Regina Garcia, Doug Naeve, Harry Bowles, Christine Kirchner, and C.C. and Duke Ensell; guests Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, Robert Gallegos, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Joanna and Stephen Handel, Amy Moss, Nixon Wheat, and Jeff Shell.

PC Moment: The most successful gala in Stages history was befitting a night of Mad Men glamour and inspired classic black-tie looks. Holland Vavra sang Frank Sinatra to set the chic scene. Cordua Catering provided delicious bites, while Stages performers Holland Vavra and Carolyn Johnson sang a duet. DJ Senega kicked off the raucous post-dinner set as guests perused the silent auction. All told, more than $300,000 was raised on behalf of Stages.