Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma with 2018 Spirit of Writers Theatre honorees Bill and Stephanie Sick and Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma with 2018 Spirit of Writers Theatre honorees Bill and Stephanie Sick and Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra
Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra
Vanessa Colman and Ellie Forman
Vanessa Colman and Ellie Forman
Laura and Bruce Linger with Barbara Speer
Laura and Bruce Linger with Barbara Speer
Resident Director Kimberly Senior
Resident Director Kimberly Senior
June 28, 2018 | Parties
Writers Theatre brought Motown to downtown at the 2018 WordPlay Gala.
THE PARTY With its imaginative and renowned performances—from Arcadia to Parade to next year’s planned Witch—expectations were high for Writers Theatre’s annual WordPlay Gala. But like a Marvin Gaye song, the Motown-inspired night rose to the occasion, raising $850,000 and showing that this place knows “What’s Going On.” THE PEOPLE Guests included philanthropists John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols, announcer for Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me! Bill Kurtis and much-awarded director Kimberly Senior. They mingled with more than 350 of Chicago’s most influential corporate leaders and theater enthusiasts. THE PINNACLE “All Night Long,” Writers Theatre artists performed Motown-inspired hits that transformed the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago into a Detroit dance hall thanks to Kehoe Designs. The funky and fresh tributes were “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” to all those who keep art alive. - Lizzie Elward
Photos by Robert Carl and Joe Mazza
Photography by:
