Celebrating Art at the 2016 Globe Gala

Every season San Diego locals and visitors alike visit The Old Globe Theatre to witness timeless pieces and innovative works by new playwrights alike. Each season we’re delighted and amazed by the level of quality and excellence of performers and creative teams as they transport us to another time—even if it is for just a few hours. The Old Globe has found its way into the hearts of theatregoers and community members through arts programs and events to get them excited and involved in the theatre, and it’s about time to celebrate all the Globe has accomplished this year. 

Celebrating all they have accomplished in theatre arts and the amazing programs The Old Globe has offered to the community, co-chairs Karen Cohn, Nina Doede, Laurie Mitchell and Sheryl White will host the Annual Globe Gala. The gala will celebrate A Night of Revels with a performance by Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom Jr. The black tie affair will take place on the evening of Saturday, September 24th in Copley Plaza at The Old Globe. 

Beginning at 6 pm, the gala will kick off with a reception at Copley Plaza. Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr.’s exclusive performance will follow at 7 pm on the Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage. Following the performance, the evening will unfold with dinner catered by the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina and dancing back at the Copley Plaza until midnight. With the utter success of last year’s gala, the evening will be held to high standards, and it’s looking like it will exceed every one.

The main entertainment for the night comes in the form of a highly anticipated, one-time-only cabaret performance by the multitalented actor Leslie Odom Jr. Odom received his Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in the heavily celebrated musical Hamilton. Reliving the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the musical gained notable recognition for its innovation in almost every department. Casting unlikely actors and actresses that defy racial and gender boundaries, Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator and star of the play, even incorporated freestyle rap into the musical’s score. In his role as Aaron Burr, Leslie Odom Jr. dueled Hamilton (formerly played by Miranda) countless times and gained the favor of audiences everywhere. His one-time-only cabaret performance will be one you won’t want to miss.

The Old Globe has traveled a long and rocky road since its beginnings in 1935, complete with arson fires and relocation. But nevertheless, the professional theatre house has become a San Diego icon and even an international theatre standard, with world premier plays on the many stages of The Globe. Award-winning directors, producers and actors have all graced these rooms and productions, some even earning their first big breaks on these very stages. Stars on television, film, Broadway and Off-Broadway have made their way to the Globe and performed their hearts out in the historic theatre. There’s something infinitely special about The Old Globe, something that keeps these talented performers—and growing audience—coming back every season.

In addition to their mission to provide professional-level entertainment and productions to the public, the Globe also aims to positively impact the community through art and outreach programs. In this way, the directors and creative teams who thrive on and are inspired by art themselves can transmit this passion to the community around them. For Barry Edelstein, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director, connecting the San Diego community to The Old Globe and theatrical arts was an important feat. Eventually his persistence into the matter helped to create the Arts Engagement department at The Old Globe. The department bridges the gap between families in the community and the theatre through programs that focus on bringing the theatre to the community through tangible means like workshops, programs and events that reach a broad spectrum of the population.

Apart from the brilliant productions brought to life by the Globe this season, the arts programs show the institution’s dedication to the arts with the theatre’s involvement in the lives of locals at a variety of events. Members of the community have had the opportunity to visit The Old Globe in Balboa Park and participate and listen to others about the theatre, Shakespeare and so many other fascinating topics throughout the year. Whether it be bringing Shakespeare to life in varying communities through the Globe for All Tour or Shakespeare in the Park, there are plenty of opportunities for those in the community to get involved.

For inquiries, contact events director Eileen Prisby by phone at (619) 684-4146 or email at eprisby@TheOldGlobe.org to purchase tickets to the Gala or to ask any questions about the upcoming event.

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