Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrates the culmination of the 30th Anniversary Season with GALA 2017 on Friday, June 9, 2017 at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier, and offers attendees a first look at the Theater’s dynamic new performance venue in-progress—The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Dinner and the event program will take place in the soon-to-be completed theater, giving attendees an exclusive preview of the innovative new space before the first production is presented in September 2017.
Funds raised will benefit the Tony Award-winning theater’s Chicago Shakespeare in Classrooms and Communities initiatives—which includes the Theater’s nationally recognized education programs and Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour. Through the generosity of Headline Sponsor Northern Trust, the Lead Consortium, the Host Committee and the advocacy of CST’s Board of Directors, the Theater has already raised $1.2 million of a $1.55 million goal. Leading GALA 2017 are honorary co-chairs Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule and event chairs Carole and Gordon Segal.
Five hundred attendees from Chicago’s civic and cultural community will enjoy the first look at The Yard, which will feature a one-night-only performance featuring Broadway leading ladies Heather Headley and Jessie Mueller.
Tony and Grammy Award-Winner Heather Headley is best known for her roles as Nala in the original Broadway cast of the hit musical “The Lion King” and performing in the title role in “Aida,” for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Headley has released three Grammy-nominated studio albums and in 2009 was awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. Broadway favorite Jessie Muller brings her talents home to Chicago after her Tony and Grammy award-winning performance as Carole King in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.” Muller most recently led the cast of Sara Bareilles’ hit Broadway musical “Waitress” (nominated for a Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy Award). GALA 2017 brings together the City’s civic community to toast Shakespeare’s enduring legacy and enjoy a three-course dinner from Food For Thought with grand spectacle and stunning skyline views.
For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/gala
