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Asolo Repertory Theatre outlines coming season with Welcome Back Party

The annual fall event was held Oct. 22 at the Robert and Beverly Koski Center.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 8:14 p.m. October 22, 2019
  • Black Tie
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The Asolo Repertory Theatre greeted its many returning supporters with a Welcome Back Party Oct. 22.

More than 200 guests — with the help or some much-needed cooling fans — enjoyed an evening of food, drinks and music in a tent space outside the Robert and Beverly Koski Center.

Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards spoke to the 2019 - 20 season and to the future of the company itself. The organization is currently in the early stages of a fundraising initiative to expand the Koski Center to include a new rehearsal hall, breakout rehearsal studios, media production facilities and an expanded costume area.

"We are planning to make this entire parcel the beating heart of all production and rehearsal as well as the heart for our education and engagement programs," Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards said. 

The party ended with cast members from the theatre's upcoming "The Sound of Music" show performing for the enraptured audience. The show is set to premiere Nov. 13.

Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal, Orlando Sanchez, Amparo Pacheco and Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards
Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal, Orlando Sanchez, Amparo Pacheco and Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards
Event co-chairs Larry and Debbie Haspel
Event co-chairs Larry and Debbie Haspel
Kristin Renee Young, Cole Doman and Alex Jorth
Kristin Renee Young, Cole Doman and Alex Jorth
Each table had an arrangement of flowers.
Each table had an arrangement of flowers.
Marilyn and Ivan Kushen
Marilyn and Ivan Kushen
Donna Kupka and Vic Meyrich
Donna Kupka and Vic Meyrich
Joseph Jennings and Denise Barker with Scott Guinn
Joseph Jennings and Denise Barker with Scott Guinn
Laura Stuart Wood
Laura Stuart Wood
Barry Clarkson and Shirley Palmer
Barry Clarkson and Shirley Palmer
Sophia Cavalluzzi, Angela and Jessica Huh and Haily Cavalluzzi
Sophia Cavalluzzi, Angela and Jessica Huh and Haily Cavalluzzi
"The Sound of Music" performer Maddie Shea Baldwin sang to the audience.
Ann Charters, Nancy Blackburn, Pam Anderson and Sandra Miranda
Ann Charters, Nancy Blackburn, Pam Anderson and Sandra Miranda
Gina and Auggie Toynton
Gina and Auggie Toynton
Ed and Bobbie Hamilton
Ed and Bobbie Hamilton
Carole Crosby and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele
Carole Crosby and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele
Dorothy Lawrence and Moses Pinkerton
Dorothy Lawrence and Moses Pinkerton
Tere Reis and Caryl Kaplan
Tere Reis and Caryl Kaplan
Courtney and Allie McLaughlin
Courtney and Allie McLaughlin
Guests chose from a variety of meals and desserts.
Guests chose from a variety of meals and desserts.
Jordan Cunningham, Tally Sessions, Sophie Lee Morris and Maddie Shea Baldwin
Jordan Cunningham, Tally Sessions, Sophie Lee Morris and Maddie Shea Baldwin
Roger and Judith Lambert
Roger and Judith Lambert
Michael Donald Edwards addressed the crowd.
Michael Donald Edwards addressed the crowd.
Elisabeth Waters and Donna Koffman
Elisabeth Waters and Donna Koffman
Julie and Jamie DiDomenico
Julie and Jamie DiDomenico
Sarah Lasko, Nia Sciarretta and Marc Cornes
Sarah Lasko, Nia Sciarretta and Marc Cornes
Maddie Shea Baldwin led the young performers in
Maddie Shea Baldwin led the young performers in "Do-Re-Mi."
Kate Loprest
Kate Loprest
David Peterson and Linda Krysinski with Wendy and Jerry Feinstein
David Peterson and Linda Krysinski with Wendy and Jerry Feinstein
Liz McCartney took to the stage with 'The Sound of Music' cast
Liz McCartney took to the stage with 'The Sound of Music' cast

 

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