Gulfshore Playhouse Raises Nearly $300,000 at Annual Gala Fundraiser

Gulfshore Playhouse hosted their 5th Annual Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway Gala Fundraiser on Monday, March 9th at the Naples Beach Hotel. At the event, Gulfshore Playhouse raised nearly $300,000 to help fund the nonprofit organization's general operating budget.

The 5th Annual Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway Gala Fundraiser, co-chaired by board members Naomi Buck, David Drobis, and Adria Starkey, was held in the River of Grass Ballroom at the Naples Beach Hotel on Monday, March 9, 2015. The event was emceed by Gulfshore Playhouse's Cody Nickell and served as the announcement of Gulfshore Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season.

The live auction and cash call, entitled 'What Part Will You Play?', hosted by renowned auctioneer Scott Robertson, was an unprecedented success for the Playhouse, with Patty & Jay Baker so generously matching the amount raised during 'What Part Will You Play?'.

"I am so grateful to all of the generous supporters who made our 5th Annual Gala Fundraiser our best one yet," said Kristen Coury, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. "I was awe-struck when Jay Baker raised his paddle to match our proceeds and we are so fortunate to have philanthropists such as the Baker's in our corner. Gulfshore Playhouse and the Naples community is a better place because of their amazing generosity," she said.

Two-Time Tony Award Winner Norbert Leo Butz headlined the evening with a set of Broadway tunes. Mr. Butz is best known for his Broadway roles in Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can, Rent, and Big Fish. He received Tony Awards for his roles in musicals, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Catch Me If You Can.

The event's host committee included Erika & Peter Aron, Patty & Jay Baker, Sue Dalton, Christine & Terrance Flynn, Barbara & George Franks, Linda & Bob Harden, Jean & Leo Hertzog, Elizabeth & Jim Jessee, Gail Paster, Tennille & Aaron Sevigny, Anne & Frederick Stratton, and Harriet & Donald Young.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theater at the highest artistic level and providing unique educational opportunities to people at all levels in a spirit of service, adventure, and excitement. Our work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theater to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in our audience an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the respect with which we treat our artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.