Priscilla Lopez, Frankie Faison and More Perform at Luna Stage's 20th Anniversary Gala

By: BWW News Desk Jun. 14, 2013

Luna Stage's 20th Anniversary Celebration was a living history of the company's work featuring performances by Tony-Award winner Priscilla Lopez, star of television, film and stage Frankie Faison, and many others who have graced the stages of Luna during the company's 20-year history. All paid humorous and heartfelt tribute to founder Jane Mandel, who is stepping down as Artistic Director after this season.

The fundraiser, with lead sponsorship from Chase, also honored Patrick Morrissy, who was presented with the 2013 Luna Community Service Award. Patrick proved that he is not only a supporter of the arts, but a practitioner as well. He brought out his guitar and paid tribute to Jane Mandel and Luna Stage with a rendition of Stand By Me, explaining that he felt it was the theme song for HANDs and Luna Stage. Emcee Suzz Anne Douglas displayed her seemingly unending array of talents by singing an acapella version of The Impossible Dream and reading a poem from the first Luna production,In the Name of the Woman.

The evening concluded with Luna's new artistic director, Cheryl Katz, presenting Jane Mandel with a gift. In her presentation, Katz described Mandel as "the most amazing woman and artist I have ever known." When Mandel finally took the stage at the end of the evening, the audience rose to their feet to pay tribute to this visionary artist whose passion and dedication to the theatre has guided the company through three spaces and twenty years. In the most moving moment of the evening, Mandel, saying she "does not have a torch", gave Katz a beautiful hand made chalice that had been given to her by the cast of the first production that Luna Stage ever produced.

The Board of Directors of Luna Stage were thrilled with the event which provided the opportunity to introduce many new community members and funders to the caliber of work that patrons have come to expect from Luna Stage. Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ 07052. The theatre is handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available.

Pictured: Jane Mandel & Cheryl Katz. Photo Credit: Allison Brown.

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