The Event: A spirited performance by everyone’s favorite teacher, “Mr. Schuester,” aka Matthew Morrison, star of the hit TV series “Glee,” headlined the Goodman Theatre’s 10-year anniversary at its 170 N. Dearborn home during the One Enchanted Decade black-tie gala May 21.
Performing pieces from his self-titled album, Morrison put on a nonstop show for the more than 850 dressed-to-the-nines attendees, singing medleys he had performed with superstars like Elton John and even “a guy named Gordon Sumner, whom you may know as Sting,” quipped Morrison.
After the performance, guests were escorted to the Fairmont Hotel to enjoy an elegant three-course dinner of salade with duck confit, seared filet and dessert selections of crème brûlée and chocolate banana tart before dancing the night away to the sultry sounds of the Al Sofia Orchestra.
Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit resident theater, the Goodman generated nearly $300 million in economic impact during the past decade.
In Attendance: “We have been waiting for this for a long time and I am very excited,” said Susan Underwood from Winnetka. And Linda Maurer of Lake Bluff noted, “It’s spectacular and so exciting. Everyone is very jealous that we are here.”
“I was young and I need the money,” joked Morrison about the reason for his success. “Everyone asks what piece of advice I would give to young people. I think you just have to love it, completely love it, because it is a hard business to be a part of and there are a lot more downfalls than there are great moments.”
Surveying the gala, resident artistic associate Henry Godinez of Evanston said, “The Goodman really is an institution in Chicago. It’s the city’s theater.”
The Bottom Line: The event raised $1 million to benefit the Goodman’s education and community engagement programs.
