Photo Flash: Inside Ridgefield Playhouse's Willie Nelson Gala, Feat. Harvey Fierstein & More

It was an effervescent sold-out crowd that packed The Ridgefield Playhouse for the 14th Anniversary Gala on September 17 to see Willie Nelson, up-close-and-personal with his Family band. In an evening brimming with dinner courtesy of area food establishments, an open bar, silent and live auctions and honorees, it was the social event of the season.

Tony Award winner and Ridgefield resident Debbie Gravitte received the Arts Volunteer Award from Broadway star Harvey Fierstein, and Allison Stockel was honored for her 10th year volunteering her time as Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse. The event also marked the establishment of The Allison Stockel Fund, to benefit the endowment of the not-for-profit performing arts center, with an initial amount of $250,000. The Fund was created to help sustain the Playhouse for the future. Checks may be made payable to The Ridgefield Playhouse for the benefit of The Allison Stockel Fund and sent to Julie Paltauf at the Playhouse.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Photos by Scott Vincent