Jennifer Richmond, Peter Vann, Mia Ernst
Marissa Benchea, Lesley McMahan
Rick Horne, Jenny Littleton, Michael Minch
Shannon Hoppe, David Wilkerson, Shelean Newman, Janie Wilkerson
Sandy Spitz, Daniel Tidwell
Curtain call A hip barn party commemorates another season of The Tennessee Rep
T
he River REPrise, formerly known as Rep on the River, has a new name, a new location and a fresh, new face. This Tennessee Repertory Theatre benefit has always been held at Gnofus, the gorgeous home of Sylvia and Al Ganier, overlooking the Cumberland River. This year though, the party was divided into two phases with the Patrons Party at Gnofus, where chefs Richard Jones of Green Door Gourmet and Seema Phillips of Miel offered the 55 donors beef tenderloin en crostini, fava bean purée, fire-roasted pig barbeque with GDG sauce and duck confit. Among the signature drinks were a farm-fresh Bloody Mary, Al’s own mint julep and the Farmer’s Daughter, a scrumptious chocolate martini. An hour later, the second phase of the party got rolling at the Ganiers’ new organic farm and barn, The Grange, which served as the ideal location for The Cast Party. Al aptly described the elegant space as “more of a Napa Valley Barn,” while instructing the guests to “check out the restrooms; our brides love them!” And, no wonder—they were spacious, private and very California cool. More than 150 guests mingled with cast members and celebrated the season’s end. The seated Sunday Supper buffet featured barbeque, Cajun-style coleslaw, squash casserole, green beans and watermelon feta salad followed by yummy Minnie Pearl’s chess and pecan pies from the Corner Market. On stage, the Kit Kat Club Orchestra accompanied cast members performing hits of the past season. This first-rate extravaganza also included a silent auction with theatrical pieces from actual stage productions, an Ingram Barge river cruise and tickets to the upcoming Spoleto Festival in Charleston up for bid. Anne Elizabeth McIntosh, who served as the creatively named Director of the Cast Party, explained the mission of this first-time event: launch the new venue, involve more people and introduce the Rep to younger audiences. Anne Elizabeth and Cast Party Producers Brande Thomas, Vicki Horne (who made a great emcee) and David Jackson, all received a standing ovation for their efforts.
Martha Ingram, Vicki Horne, Martha Trammell
Al Ganier, René Copeland
GLORIA HOUGHLAND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SINCLAIR KELLY
42 >> JULY 2013 | nfocusnashville.com Anne Elizabeth McIntosh, Brande Thomas