The 2007 Spotlight Spectacular!, the Huntington's annual benefit event, took place at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel on Monday, April 30, 2007 and, once again, the event lived up to its name!
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Tony award-winner and event host Jason Alexander (center) with Huntington Trustee Gerry and Overseer Sherry Cohen, recipients of the Wimberly Award.
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Chaired by Huntington Trustee Kristine Scoon and her husband, Davey, this year's event raised more than $700,000—a new record!—to help support the Huntington's productions and programs. Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander, star of Broadway and TV's Seinfeld, served as the evening's host, welcoming to the stage such stellar performers as stage and screen actor Victor Garber and Broadway actor Brooks Ashmanskas (both of whom appeared in the Huntington's production of Noël Coward's Present Laughter to close the 25th Anniversary Season). At the end of the evening, guests were treated to an unforgettable show-stopping performance by Mr. Alexander himself.
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The Huntington's Managing Director, Michael Maso (center) with Trustee Kristine and Davey Scoon, Co-Chairs of the 2007 Spotlight Spectacular!
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Other highlights of the evening included the presentation of the 5th-ever Wimberly Award—the Huntington's highest honor—to Huntington Board members Sherry and Gerry Cohen in recognition of their outstanding commitment to the organization, a tribute to the Huntington's unique 25-year partnership with Boston University, as well as remarks by Josie Figueroa, a graduate of the Huntington's Acting Class and Young Voices education programs.
An exciting "live" auction, helmed superbly by the Huntington's own President of the Board of Trustees, Bill McQuillan, included tickets to the 2007 Tony Awards and post-awards show dinner with an overnight stay at the St. Regis Hotel New York; tickets to see Sting and The Police at Fenway Park; the opportunity to have Gordon Hamersley, owner of Hamersley's Bistro in the South End, cater an in-home dinner for ten guests; a walk-on role in a new film based on a Robert Parker "Jesse Stone" novel starring Tom Selleck; and an Executive Suite for 22 guests at Fenway Park, including catering and parking!
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Actor Victor Garber, performing the Noël Coward song "World Weary," a number also seen by Huntington audiences in the season closer, Present Laughter.
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As part of the exciting live auction, guests pledged more than $70,000 to "Sponsor-a-Class," for our Student Matinee Series, which brings more than 6,000 Boston-area students to Huntington productions each season. And for the third year, our online auction allowed friends of the Huntington to preview items and place bids on a range of unique items in the weeks leading up to the event.
Thank you to all those who attended, supported, donated and helped to make this evening magnificent, fun and...well, Spectacular!
» Highlights from 2006's Spotlight Spectacular!
» Highlights from 2005's Spotlight Spectacular!
The Huntington Theatre Company is a Charity Navigator–rated charitable organization.