Red Hot & Soul 2016 New York New York Pt 3

Most of the time images speak for themselvesNot only does ZACH amaze with it's performances, it also does the same when it throws a party. Each year has to be better than the last and this year was no exception. When I arrived, there was a giant apple at the entrance to signify the Big Apple. There were pedestals surrounded by real apples. Inside the tent was more welcoming the guests to the New York experience. The color of the night was red. Of course there were some stand out fashions in other colors as well.

The event was also to honor Mort Topfer who was celebrating his 80th birthday.

The event Co-Chairs were Bobbi Topfer, Will Coombes, Eric Copper, Richard Hartgrove, Gary Cooper, Dan Jackson, Jeremy Guiberteau, David Kurio, Lance Avery Morgan, Rob Giardinelli, Armando Zambrano and Bryan Gardner.

The images I am presenting here are to tell the story from start to finish. (Note: I am an artist that happens to take pictures) I believe in capturing an event in a way that those who were there can remember it and those who couldn't make it can see what it was like. Red Hot and Soul is the event of the year outside of the performances that ZACH puts on. It's purpose is to raise funds for the education programs. It also gives guests a chance to see what performances will be taking place for the remainder of the season and the new season.. 

(Stacey Zoll Looking stunning (One of my 10 best dressed selections) as she leaves the Topfer to go into the Tent for dinner and entertainment on the Bobbi Pavillion.)

 (Kim Sidey and her husband.)

 (Guests arriving for Red Hot & Soul New York, New York.)

(Steve Nair and Beth Warren, two of Zach's volunteers.)

(Cathleen Berdan and Keri Dawn Solner waiting for guests to arrive.)

(Rachel Applegate watching things take shape from the sidelines.)

(Amanda Adams, head of Patron Services walks the runway.)

(Guests entering the Topfer theatre.)

(Inside the lobby of the Topfer theatre, Amanda Adams chats with Dan Jackson.)

(Megan Smith keeps things moving. Red Hot & Soul is like one big show.)

(Jesse Douglas chats with Actor Matthew Redden.)

(Megan Smith, Matthew Redden and Jesse Douglas take time to pose.)

(Rob Giardinelli Associate Editor and Lance Avery Morgan Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of The Society Diaries.)

(Lance and Rob determining their positioning for a photo.)

( Brett and Elisbeth Challener strike a pose.)

(Lance Avery Morgan and Rob Giarandelli once the pose is selected.)

(Charlie Fraser and the Birthday Boy Mort Topfer who was pre celebrating his 80th birthday.)

(Armando and Bobbi Topfer walk the runway.)

(Rachel Applegate walking the runway.)

(Although Red was the main color of the night, Black and white is always a go to color and these ladies were looking good.)

(Abe Reybold mignles with guests.)

(wait staff hand out drinks to the guests as they enter the Topfer.)

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. There will be one more entry of images from Red Hot & Soul 2016 New York, New York.

Tommy the finale 8-24-2014

(Scenic design by Cliff Simon for ZACH's production of Tommy)

Tommy, the final performance.

Sunday August 24, 2014 The Who’s Tommy was performed for the last time, ending ZACH’s 2013-2014 season on a very high note. I had thought about seeing the show, but I wasn’t sure if things would fall into place, but it all worked out. I figured since this was the last show the singers would belt out those songs with more verve then before.

Leonela Hernandez and Paul Sanchez. Leonela is part of  ZACH's pre professionals was on hand to get patrons to buy raffle tickets. She recently appeared in the production of Much Ado About Nothing as Leonata and Paul Sanchez played Wicked Uncle Ernie in Tommy.)

Normally I sit in the top section, but I was right smack in the center. If I had been allowed to photograph this show. This would have been the perfect seat. It also allowed me to see the show from a different perspective. I was able to actually see the images in the pop up book as Diego Rodriguez, who plays the young Tommy turns the pages.

(Diego Rodriguez who played young Tommy, for me he just brought something to the role different from the other actor who played young Tommy when I saw the show the first time. Diego and his family were such a delight.)

This was my fourth time seeing the production. And it was even more entertaining than the other times. Tommy is a visual experience. Being a visual artist myself I really appreciated all that was going on.

(Edward Burkley, Matthew Redden and Joshua Denning take a moment  from mingling, to pose. Joshua stepped in to the role of the Lover when Scott Swanson was injured. Joshua did a great job.)

I’ve gotten to know some of the cast members, some better than others because they’ve performed in other shows and those that stopped and exchanged a few words. I do however understand being focused on what you have to do in a performance so you just want to be in that zone.

 (Christa Oliver, part of the Ensemble, poses with Rick who has seen Tommy numerous times.)

I also know that performers feed off of the audience and if the energy is right the actor can feel it and they give that little extra something when they can. There appeared to be those subtle pauses to allow the audience to applaud after each song.

 (A few members of the Ensemble Christopher Montalvo, Felicia Fitzpatrick, Lauren Beausoleil, and Connor Donnelly.)

Paul Sanchez, Edward Burkley and Susanne Abbott rocked the crowd with their numbers. They left you wanting more.

Matthew Redden and Meredith McCall have a great chemistry together as Tommy’s parents. They both have great voices and had appeared together in White Christmas.

Timothy Ellis Riley is great as Cousin Kevin, who tortures little Tommy.

 (Timothy Ellis Riley chats with a patron about the last performance.)

Michael Valentine played Tommy and was really great. Each time I saw it, he just kept getting better and better.

( Michael is pictured with his grandmother and his father.)

Having never seen any production or even the film, I had nothing to base it on so I really enjoyed it.

(Patrons go old school and test their pinball skillz. The machines were free. They were supplied by Pinballz)

(Gabriel  Jaochico, did double duty, he played the white rabbit and he was also DJ Wicket pritor to each show.)

 ( Justin Waller a member of the Ensemble and Shanna Annetta who had appeared in The Gospel at Colonus.)

(Robert Corkill reacts to a someone from the side while PR guy, Jim Reynolds stays up to date with the latest tweets.)

(Kelly, Felicia and Lauren take a moment from mingling to strike a pose.)

(Christopher from the Ensemble.)