events
Emerald Extravaganza
Broadway Ball raises $500,000 for Omaha Performing Arts, previews “Wicked” Story courtesy of the Omaha Performing Arts Society. Photos by Corey Ross and courtesy of Omaha Performing Arts.
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crowd of more than 500 enjoyed a “wickedly” good time at the Broadway Ball: Emerald Extravaganza in September to support Omaha Performing Arts. Themed after the upcoming Broadway touring production, “WICKED,” and held at the Holland Center, the event raised nearly $500,000 for Omaha Performing Arts. The Emerald Extravaganza was hosted by The Presenters, a volunteer organization supporting Omaha Performing Arts. Co-chairs were Kelli and Scott Draper, Jeanie and Lance Jones and Stacie and Rob Reed. Dick and Pat Bell served as honorary chairs. The evening began with hors d’oeurves and Elphaba Elixirs, a potionlike cocktail, created specially for the event, in the Scott Recital Hall. A raffle that included tickets for the entire Omaha Performing Arts Presents season, Broadway touring productions and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s June 23, 2009, performance was conducted during cocktails. The live auction featured a number of gift packages, such as a golf outing to the Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen, Neb., a cocktail recep-
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tion at the Kutak Rock offices, and themed entertainment packages with food, transportation and tickets to Omaha Performing Arts Presents events and Broadway touring productions. Following dinner, singer Idina Menzel bewitched guests with her musical performance including the hit song, “Defying Gravity,” from “WICKED.” Ms. Menzel is the 2004 Tony® Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Elphaba, a role she originated in the Broadway blockbuster, “WICKED.” John Nelson was master of ceremonies and Joe Temme served as auctioneer. The Broadway Ball is a biennial event with proceeds supporting Omaha Performing Arts’ presentation of the finest local, national and international artistic performances and its education and community involvement efforts. This year’s Emerald Ball Sponsors include the Carmen and John Gottschalk Foundation, HDR, Inc., Kiewit Construction, Tenaska, The Hawks Foundation, and Richard D. Holland.
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1) Mayor Mike Fahey and Omaha Performing Arts Society President Joan Squires with honorary chairs Pat and Dick Bell. 2) Chairs Stacie and Rod Reed, the Bells, chairs Kelli and Scott Draper, and chairs Jeanie and Lance Jones. 3) UNMC Chancellor Dr. Harold Maurer and wife Beverly. 4) Alegent CEO Wayne Sensor with wife Cindy and Jeanine Hachten. 5) Walter and Suzanne Scott.
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november/december | 2008