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Record Number of Wildcats Turn out for Exclusive Broadway Performance
Six hundred people attended the Northwestern Alumni Association’s “A Night With Northwestern: A Toast to the Past, A Toast to the Future,” a star-studded concert featuring many of Northwestern University’s most notable alumni, making it the highest attended Northwestern event ever in New York! The one-night celebration took place Monday, March 20, 2006 at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan.
The evening began with a welcome reception at the Millennium Broadway Hotel hosted by Northwestern University President Henry S. Bienen and School of Communication Dean Barbara J. O’Keefe. Wildcats of all ages enjoyed food and beverage while mingling with some of Northwestern’s New York celebrities, like composers Sheldon Harnick (Mu49) (Fiddler on the Roof) and Larry Grossman (C60) (Snoopy) and television host Clinton Kelly (GJ93) ("What Not to Wear").
Photos from the Welcome Reception
The evening began with a hilarious rendition of “Be Our Guest” performed by Peter Flynn (C87) from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The crowd was elated to see actress Charlotte Rae (C48), perhaps best known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett on "The Facts of Life," introduce the first segment in Act One’s “A Toast to the Past”. Penny Fuller (C59), Russell Koplin (C99), Nancy McGraw (Mu70), Sally Murphy (Mu84), Catherine Brunnel (C97) and Rita Harvey (GMu92, 94) all brought the house down with their performances. In addition Tony nominee Tony Roberts (C61) and Tony winner Denis O’Hare (C84) appeared on stage to introduce performances. A creative video segment by the comedic team Creation Nation and appearances by Dean O’Keefe and Music Theatre Director Dominic Missimi, who introduced a performance by the 2006 Music Theatre Student Showcase, rounded out the star-studded first act.
Photos from Act One
Act Two’s “A Toast to the Future” showcased performances of new works by Northwestern writers and composers. Performers included Dan Lipton (Mu97), Kate Baldwin (C97), Willis White (Mu02, WCAS02), Eli Bolin (C00), Jeff Blumenkratz (C86), Brian d’Arcy James (C90), and Jenny Powers (Mu03), to name a few. The evening closed with a surprise appearance by Stephen Colbert (C87), anchor of Comedy Central’s "The Colbert Report," who brought the cast back on stage to perform “To the Memories.”
Photos from Act Two
The event was directed by Jen Bender (C01) (The Wedding Singer) and produced by Erica Lynn Schwartz (C03) and Lisa Lapan (C03), with choreography by Jessica Redish (C02). Additional staff included music directors Joseph Thalken (Mu84) and Dan Lipton and writer Craig Shemin (C88). The event was chaired by Carey Graeber (C75) and Willie Weinbaum (J82, GJ83).
Broadway.com's Coverage of the Event
The one-night-only concert followed the opening of Northwestern’s New York Regional Office of Alumni Relations and Development and promoted the enormous presence of Northwestern alumni currently working on Broadway, and in television and film.
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