BWW Interviews: Short North Stage's Inaugural Gala Draws Inspiration from Film NOIR

From the classic cars parked in front of a plush red carpet to the blinding camera flashes of the paparazzi, Columbus' Garden Theater will exude all of the glitz and glamor of 1920s Hollywood as the Short North Stage celebrates its inaugural fundraising gala on Friday, Sept. 12.

The gala marks the start of the Short North Stage's fourth full season. The event will pay homage to the days of film noir, said Elena Reinert, a Short North Stage gala committee member who has assisted in organizing the event.

"I think our goal is to do something different," she said. "There's definitely a status quo of a typical gala in Columbus and we want to take that and reinvent it and try to give it that Short North Stage flair."

Guests can expect to enjoy various performances throughout the evening, including pop-up performances in the lobby, a DJ playing vinyl records from the 1920s and a main performance on the Garden Theater stage at 9 p.m., Reinert said.

"Throughout the evening, there will be something going on in all three of our (performance) spaces," she said. "We have the Green Room, which is our black box space, we have the Stage Left Lounge, which is our bar, and we have the Garden Theater, which is the main stage."

Reinert said that she hopes guests will enjoy the gala's theme, which ties into the Short North Stage's upcoming performance of "Sunset Boulevard."

"We chose the theme noir, which is sort of a trip back to old Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s," she said. "We're hoping that people come in costume if they want... cocktail attire is encouraged."

"Sunset Boulevard" is scheduled to run at the Garden Theater from Oct. 2 - 19.

Tickets for the gala are available for $50 or $75 on the Short North Stage website.

A VIP reception for $75 ticket holders is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Guests who have purchased $75 tickets may enjoy access to a complimentary bar and exclusive performances until 7:30 p.m.

A selection of local cuisine options from several food stations will be offered to both $75 and $50 ticket holders beginning at 7:30 p.m. Drinks may also be purchased from the bar at this time.

$25 general admission tickets will be available for purchase at the door at 8:30 p.m.

The event, which is sponsored by the L. Brands Foundation and Nationwide, will also include an all-vinyl 1920s and 1940s DJ dance party. Jeni's ice cream and White Castle sliders will be available for guests of all ticket levels at this portion of the event, Reinert said.

"This is an all-inclusive event," she said. "(For) the arts lover, we will have something for you... for the person who likes a good party, we will have something for you. For the person who wants to dance and dress in a 1920s costume, this will be a fantastic time for you."

A silent auction is also scheduled for the evening. Proceeds from the auction and ticket sales benefit the Short North Stage.

Additional event information is available at www.shortnorthstage.org.

The Garden Theater is located at 1187 N. High St.

Image Credit: Adam Scoppa