Steppenwolf Celebrates 3rd Season With GALA 2009 4/18

Steppenwolf celebrates its 33rd season with GALA 2009: A Celebration of the Season of the Imagination on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago.

The GALA 2009 Co-Chairs are Nora Daley Conroy, Charles H. James III, Randall K. Rowe, Manuel "Manny" Sanchez, Pat Pulido Sanchez and Anna D. Shapiro.

The evening kicks off with a unique performance inspired by Steppenwolf's production of The Tempest, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau and featuring Steppenwolf ensemble members. Following the performance, attendees will be ushered into the backstage world of Steppenwolf and offered cocktails on stage. The cocktail hour will spill over into a custom-designed tent adjacent to the theater. Members of Steppenwolf's acclaimed ensemble will host dinner, prepared by Limelight Catering. A live auction will feature once-in-a-lifetime adventures with Steppenwolf ensemble members. The evening culminates with live entertainment by Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.

This year's auction prizes include:
A personal visit with ensemble member Kathryn Erbe on the set of LAW AND ORDER: Criminal Intent in New York City. Includes airfare, hotel and dinner.
LA Weekend on the set of HBO's Entourage with ensemble member Gary Cole. Includes airfare, hotel and dinner.
· Gourmet dinner prepared on the Steppenwolf stage by acclaimed Chef Michael Kornick of MK Restaurant with the cast and director of Steppenwolf's Endgame: ensemble members Ian Barford, Frank Galati, Fran Guinan, William Petersen and Rondi Reed.

· InStyle Weekend in New York City with ensemble member Joan Allen. Includes private, in-studio viewing of a top designer's collection, lunch with Joan Allen, spa treatment, airfare and hotel.

· Dinner with the playwright and the original New York and London cast of August: Osage County at Chef Art Smith's restaurant TABLE fifty-two. Guests include Deanna Dunagan and ensemble members Fran Guinan, Tracy Letts, Mariann Mayberry, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Jeff Perry, Rondi Reed and Rick Snyder.

· Exclusive Dinner at the home of acclaimed Chef Rick Bayless with the Founders of Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise, and Artistic Director Martha Lavey.

Steppenwolf's annual Gala is attended by 700 of Chicago's corporate, civic and cultural leaders and is always highlighted by the presence of the renowned Steppenwolf ensemble. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, contact Special Events Manager Tara Gillespie at (312) 654-5682 or tgillespie@steppenwolf.org.

GALA 2009: A Celebration of a Season of the Imagination
An Unveiling of The Tempest
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company
1650 N. Halsted Street

To purchase tickets, or for additional information, contact Special Events Manager Tara Gillespie at (312) 654-5682 or tgillespie@steppenwolf.org.

All post-performance festivities take place in a custom-designed tent with event décor by Heffernan & Morgan, Inc.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.