Kravis Center

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 9, 2009

   Media Contact:

   Loretta Grantham

   Kravis Center Communications Manager

   (561) 651-4257

   grantham@kravis.org

KRAVIS CENTER GALA GLISTENS

AFTER BILLY CRYSTAL’S ‘700 SUNDAYS’

   Surrounded by black and white décor reminiscent of an elegant supper club, nearly 300 supporters of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts dined on filet mignon and danced the night away December 6 after a sold-out performance of Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays.

    “The Gala is our signature fund-raiser each year, and we appreciate your support,” Honorary Gala Chair Laurie Silvers told guests in the Cohen Pavilion's Gimelstob Ballroom. “It is your generosity and commitment that allow the Kravis Center to grow in both quality and reach, thereby leading the way to further cultural and social fulfillment in our community.”

    Kathryn and Leo Vecellio sponsored the lavish dinner, which included Maine lobster for starters and a minted white chocolate tart for dessert.

    “The show was so good,” Mrs. Vecellio said. “You're laughing, then you're crying, then you're laughing. It was wonderful.”

    700 Sundays is Crystal's autobiographical one-man show, which recounts his boyhood days in Long Island and the loss of his father when the comedian was 15. After Gala patrons attended the Tony Award-winning monologue in Dreyfoos Hall, they walked down a red carpet into the Cohen Pavilion lobby. White candles floating in clusters of clear glass cylinders created a sophisticated glow. Inside the ballroom, white amaryllis and roses were placed next to soaring table lamps. The walls were adorned with white pleated taffeta and black fabric.

    “I have now celebrated 125 Mondays as chairman of the Kravis Center's Board of Directors,” joked Bill Meyer, who welcomed the evening’s guests, including a group of young people at the Rising Stars table, sponsored by Ms. Silvers and her husband, Mitchell Rubenstein.

    “I can tell you that despite this challenging economy, things at the Kravis Center are quite good. First, I want you to know that we met our budget for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, with many sold-out performances, and we met our goal of raising $4,850,000 in the annual campaign. It is because of the generosity of the people in this room and your support of the arts that we were able to achieve these goals.”

    Irene and James Karp, who co-sponsored Crystal’s performance with Arleen and Stephen Brown, said the Center is a vital part of what drew them to the area. “The Kravis is essential to Palm Beach County,” Mrs. Karp said. “It's just a fabulous part of the overall cultural environment here.”

   Other Gala sponsors included Helen Persson (décor); The Breakers (bar and wine service); Cathleen McFarlane Ross and Walter Ross (dinner-dance orchestra and show); Jane Mitchell (programs and invitations); Tiffany & Co. (special support); and Arleen and Stephen Brown, Muriel and Norman Leventhal, Lorraine and Donald Malasky, John and Monika Preston, and Howard and Molly Weiss (additional support).

   The next Kravis Center fund-raiser is the Palm Beach Wine Auction, which will be held February 16 at The Breakers. On April 24, the Young Friends of the Kravis Center will host the 17th Annual Reach for the Stars Benefit, which will feature a “Dancing for the Stars” ballroom dance competition. For information, please call (561) 651-4320 or visit kravis.org.

   The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL 33401. For show schedule and ticket information, call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit kravis.org.