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50th Anniversary
2002 GALA
CHITA RIVERA HONORED BY SARAH SIDDONS
SOCIETY
The Sarah Siddons Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a
black-tie Gala on Monday, November 11, 2002 at the
Inter-Continental Hotel, Chicago. CHITA RIVERA,
acclaimed star of stage and screen, received the Sarah Siddons
Award as she was honored as "Chicago's Actor of the Year" for
her stunning performance in Goodman Theatre's Chicago production of
The Visit.
The purpose of the Sarah Siddons Society is to promote excellence in the
theatre, and how fitting, on its 50th anniversary, that the organization
honor an individual who personifies this excellence. Chita Rivera
can do and has done it all as an actor, singer and dancer. In her
stellar career she has originated such memorable roles as Anita in
West Side Story, Rosie in ByeByeBirdie, Velma in
Chicago, Anna in The Rink, Spider Woman/Aurora
in Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Claire in The Visit.
No one who has ever seen Chita Rivera on stage is quite the same
thereafter. She is that thrilling! Winner of two Tony Awards and
numerous other honors, Chita Rivera represents the very best of
theatre.
The Sarah Siddons Society also honored another captivating actor, KATE
FRY, with the Chicago's Leading Lady Award. Kate
Fry was recognized for her many distinguished performances in Chicago
productions, recently My Fair Lady at the Court
Theatre and Love's Labor's Lost at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, was Master of Ceremonies for
the evening. Music was by the Stanley Paul Orchestra.
Among the evening's exciting highlights was the entrance of Chita Rivera
from the ballroom's grand staircase. Greeting the glamorous star
at the bottom of the staircase was the surprise guest and presenter,
John McMartin, her co-star in The Visit. Mr. McMartin
flew in for the evening from Broadway where he is currently starring in
Into the Woods.
After dinner, the program began with Mary Bilder-Gold, President of
Sarah Siddons Society, introducing recipients of the 2002 Scholarships:
Northwestern University School of Communication: Christine Mild
Theatre School, DePaul University: Mary Grill, Tarell McCraney
Colombia College, Theater Department: Sarah Weidman
Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship: Brooke Ashcroft
Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship: Joe Schenck, Allan Schmuckler
Kate Fry was awarded the Chicago's Leading Lady
Award with a glowing tribute from her presenter, actor
Guy Atkins.
Entertainment in honor of Chita Rivera included a dance number to "All
That Jazz," choreographed by Jessica Redish and danced by her and other
Northwestern graduates/students; a song from Kiss of the Spider
Woman by Christine Mild, Northwestern scholarship winner; and
a rendition of " 'You're' the Greatest Star" by Heidi Kettenring in her
fabulous Funny Girl voice.
To a standing ovation , Chita Rivera accepted the
Sarah Siddons Award for her role in The Visit
from her presenter and co-star, John McMartin.
The Gala was co-chaired by Donna Beaumont Atwater and June Travis
Friedlob.
Money raised by the Gala, silent auction, and raffle to fund
scholarships.
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On Golden Pond On Sunday, September 29, 2002, members and guests of Sarah
Siddons Society attended Drury Lane Theatre for a stellar
performance of On Golden Pond, written by playwright, Ernest
Thompson. Starring in the play is Tony Mockus and Ann
Whitney, a Sarah Siddons Chicago's Leading Lady
awardee. The director is Ray Frewen who writes, "On Golden Pond
gives us a look at a spirited elderly couple as they face their twilight
years, with all the love, humor, and charm that comes when couples who
have been together for 50 years look back on their lives and begin the
final leg of their journey." The performance was preceded by brunch at the
Drury Lane. 
Stars of On Golden Pond
Tony Mockus and Ann Whitney
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Movin' Out On August 21, 2002, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of Movin' Out, in its world premier and pre-Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre. The show is conceived, choreographed, and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on the songs and music of Billy Joel. The show, without dialogue, is all dancing, by an extremely talented cast of dancers, to Joel's songs, sung by the Joel -sounding Michael Cavanaugh at the piano and backed up by orchestra. Prior to the show, a reception and dinner were held at Nick's Fishmarket.
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50th Anniversary Exhibit The Chicago Public
Library Special Collection Reading Room/9th Floor April 14 - June 30, 2002 In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Sarah Siddons Society, archives of the organization were on display in a special exhibit open to the public. The archives remain at the Library and are available for research purposes.  Enjoying the Exhibit
L. to R. Mary Lou Bilder-Gold, Audrey Matthies, Kay
Gillespie, Wendi Mancini, Evelyn Echols, Francine McCrea, June Friedlob,
Bill Whitney, Donna Atwater
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Royal Family On June 12, 2002, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended Steppenwolf Theatre to see The Royal Family, the 1927 comedy by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. What fun to see this spirited and grand romp in the lavish household of a famous theatrical family! Among the cast members were two of Sarah Siddons Chicago's Leading Ladies, Amy Morton (Julie Cavendish) and Rondi Reed(Kitty Dean). In the role of Tony Cavendish was David New, 1986-87 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Recipient. Frank Galati (Sarah Siddons Special Tribute Honoree) was the director of the show. Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held
at Trattoria Gianni Restaurant.
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Hollywood Arms On May 30, 2002, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended
the Goodman Theatre for a performance of Hollywood Arms, in its
world premier engagement. The play was written by the late Carrie
Hamilton and her mother, Carol Burnett, and is based on Burnett's memoir,
One More Time. Funny and poignant, the play tells the story of
growing up in Hollywood under difficult circumstances and yet daring to
dream and believe in oneself. Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Club Petterino.
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Waa-Mu Northwestern University On May 9, 2002, the Sarah Siddons Society attended the
annual Waa-Mu show at Northwestern University. A reception, program,
and dinner were held prior to the show.
What amazing talent!
We congratulate and salute you!
L. to R. Emily Price, Co-Chair
Waa-Mu; Kevin Vortmann, Co-Chair Waa-Mu;
Christine Mild, recipient 2002 Sarah Siddons Scholarship;
Dominic Missimi, Director of Waa-Mu; Jenny
Powers, recipient 2001 Sarah Siddons Scholarship;
Andrew Hotz, Co-Chair Waa-Mu; Doug Peck,
Associate Musical Director Waa-Mu
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Long Day's Journey
Into Night On Tuesday, March 26, 2002, members of Sarah Siddons
Society attended the Goodman Theatre for a production of Eugene O'Neill's,
Long Day's Journey Into Night. In this autobiographical masterpiece
, O'Neill gives us a family of four for one day, and we are immersed in
the emotional turmoil and dysfunction of this family. The drama stars
Sarah Siddons Award Winner, Brian Dennehy, as the father, James Tyrone Sr.
The play is directed by Robert Falls, Goodman's Artistic Director. |
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Copenhagen On Tuesday, February 12, 2002, Sarah Siddons members and guests attended the play, Copenhagen. Winner of 3 Tony Awards, including Best Play, the show is written by Michael Frayn and inspired by an actual meeting that took place in 1941 between the two brilliant nuclear scientists, Danish physicist Niels Bohr and his former colleague, the German physicist, Werner Heisenberg. .The play speculates on why Heisenberg, then working in Nazi Germany, made the trip to see Bohr and what went on at that meeting. It is WW II and the individuals are on opposite sides of the war but each struggles with thoughts on the feasibility and morality of making an atomic bomb. The play stars Len Cariou, Mariette Hartley and Hank Stratton and is directed by Michael Blakemore. Before the show , there was a reception and dinner at the Chicago Athletic Association |
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Sweet Smell of Success On Thursday, January 17, 2002, members of the Sarah Siddons Society attended the pre-Broadway production of Sweet Smell of Success at the Shubert Theatre. Music and lyrics are by Marvin Hamlisch and Craig Carnelia. Playwright is John Guare, and the show is directed by Nicholas Hytner. John Lithgow stars as the most powerful gossip columnist in America. Also starring is Sarah Siddons Society Scholarship Winner, Brian d'Arcy James, 1989 Northwestern Scholarship Recipient. It was a special treat for our group to have James visit and talk to us during the reception and dinner at Nick's Fishmarket prior to the show!
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