Goodman Theatre's FAME, FANTASY, FOOD, ADVENTURE AUCTION Deemed A Success

This week, Goodman Theatre's Women's Board hosted the theater's annual winter fundraiser the Fame, Fantasy, Food, Adventure Auction, featuring exclusive experience packages and destination vacations ranging from $3,000 to $14,000 at The Peninsula Chicago. Over 200 guests attended the auction and raised $270,000 for the theater. Guest auctioneers Kathy Brock, Goodman Trustee and ABC-7 News Anchor, and Doug Regan, Executive Vice President of Northern Trust along with David Goodman, professional auctioneer and president of Auction Results, facilitated bidding on 27 coveted live auction prizes including an on-set visit to the Golden Globe-winning phenomenon Glee, tickets to the Akris Fashion show in Paris, a personal tour with Felicity Huffman on the set of Desperate Housewives and extravagant getaways to Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, London, Russia and Shanghai.

Kathleen Fox chaired this year's Auction. Lead sponsor American Airlines, the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre, generously provided air transportation for travel packages to domestic and overseas destinations. Swati Mehta was the Honorary Auction Chair. Patricia Cox is Chairman of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees and Karen Pigott is Women's Board President.

Guests were welcomed into the beautiful foyer of the Peninsula where they were introduced to thirty silent auction items including one lunch per month for a year at Naha Restaurant; a two-night stay at the Elysian Chicago; tickets to a Michael Bublé concert; a Chicago Bulls penthouse suite; and a one week trip for six to Sedona, Arizona. Guests were then escorted into the grand ballroom where they were taken on "a trip around the world" as they dined on food with an Asian, Mediterranean and Italian flare.

The live auction commenced with an incredible New York theater package including tickets to David Mamet's hit new play, Race plus a backstage meet-and-greet with the cast. Additional live auction items included tickets to this year's U.S. Open; a private screening of one of famed director Harold Ramis's movies, including live, exclusive commentary by Ramis himself; dinner for ten prepared by renowned chef Art Smith at his home in Chicago; and walk-on roles for two in Goodman's upcoming 33rd annual production of A Christmas Carol.

Since its inception in 1978, Goodman Theatre's Women's Board has been a major force in raising funds for the theater through special events and projects. Members serve on committees for the annual Goodman Theatre black tie Gala (May 22, featuring Grammy adn Tony Award-winner Heather Headley), the Goodman Auction, the Women's Board Annual Appeal and the Community Arts and Education Committee. The Board also provides support for Capital and Endowment initiatives, both personally and through solicitations. Monies raised support all aspects of the theater including the sponsorship of one production per season. This season, the woman's board sponsored the Goodman's major musical revival and season opener, Animal Crackers.