Don’t miss the exciting 2022 Summer Gala on Saturday, June 11th!
For over 20 years, the Ridgefield Playhouse has enriched our community with incredible live performances, music concerts, film screenings, and more. As our treasured performing arts center, the Playhouse has hosted legendary performances, partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations, and countless opportunities for evenings of unforgettable memories for all.
Now it’s time to show our love and support the venue that has supported Ridgefield, as they celebrate the opening of their brand new lobby, which will be seen for the first time at their Summer Gala featuring the legendary artist, Chaka Khan on Saturday, June 11th. In addition to attending the Gala, patrons will have the opportunity to purchase bricks, theater seat tags and even café tables and chairs for the new outdoor area!
This special evening on Saturday, June 11th will feature a live performance by legendary singer and songwriter Chaka Khan, recognized as “one of the most dynamic and accomplished artists to debut during the early ’70s” and a ten-time Grammy® Award winner.
Chaka is revered by millions of fans and peers for her timeless, unmatched vocal style and image. The late, great Miles Davis noted that Chaka “sings like my horn,” and none other than the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, said Chaka “is a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist.”
The evening’s festivities will begin before the performance under the tent for an open bar, choice wine, complimentary Japanese Whisky tasting of House of Suntory: Roku, Toki and Haku with Fever Tree tonic & club soda courtesy of Beam Suntory and small plates from various area restaurants and caterers. The evening also includes one of a kind auction items!
The 2022 Summer Gala will be held in time for the debut of the Ridgefield Playhouse’s recent renovations, including a new VIP room and an expanded lobby. The renovations are the first major improvements to the historic theater since the Playhouse opened its doors in December 2000.
“The Playhouse has never done a capital improvement campaign in the 22 years since we opened our doors,” says Allison Stockel, Executive Director of the venue. “We have grown so much- going from 16 shows our first season to more than 200. We really needed to create a better backstage area for the artists and bigger and better lobby for patrons so people aren’t bumping into one another. This new lobby space will be a game changer for us and make people feel more comfortable and spread out.”
The building was originally designed in 1938 as the auditorium of “the old high school” which was at one time the center of Ridgefield’s cultural life including school performances, community events, and town meetings. The Playhouse was specifically designed to embrace its former role, preserving the hall’s excellent acoustics and making it an ideal venue for musical performance and live theater.
The current renovations will add new murals by local artist Norvel Hermanovski, a bar top sculpted by local artist Chris Curnan, expand the size of the lobby by threefold, add a larger concession area, a larger permanent bar, a small stage for pre-show entertainment, and larger bathrooms.
Those interested in contributing to the Ridgefield Playhouse’s capital campaign or who want to inquire about naming opportunities can email Allison Stockel, Executive Director at allison@ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
The mission of The Ridgefield Playhouse, as a non-profit performing arts center, is to entertain, enrich and educate our community and surrounding areas and to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.
To learn more, visit: ridgefieldplayhouse.org and follow @ridgefieldplayhouse for the latest updates on upcoming shows and events!
