Raising the Curtain

By Lisa Duncan

“I was one of those kids that didn’t know where he belonged,” Brian McDonald, artistic director of Ensemble Theatre Company, told supporters at ETC’s annual Curtain Up! Gala. With a smile, he recalled his mother watching him dress up as Shirley Temple for Halloween and thinking, “Maybe this guy is a theatre kid.” She took him to see The Wizard of Oz, where he stood on a chair through the entire performance so he wouldn’t miss a moment. It was a story that perfectly captured why guests had gathered – to help ensure more young people have the chance to discover the same life-changing magic of theater that Brian found as a child.

The evening unfolded in two memorable acts. The first featured a lively musical revue at the New Vic Theatre, blending beloved Broadway songs, comedy, and heartfelt reflection. The second moved to the Santa Barbara Club, where guests gathered for cocktails, a gourmet dinner, and spirited fundraising. Among those enjoying the celebration were Susan Berger, Eliot Bromley, Teri Bibb, George Bifano, Dr. Bob Weinman, Cheryl Goldberg, and Mary Dorra joining fellow theater lovers for an evening of generosity and community.

Auctioneer Keith Fox kept the room laughing as a Chicago theatre getaway sparked such spirited bidding that two trips were awarded to Janet McCann and Gary Justice. The excitement continued when two walk-on roles in ETC’s upcoming production of Rent inspired another bidding war, with Laura Wyatt and Board Member Ellen Robinson each claiming the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step onto a professional stage.

“The quality of theatre here punches above its weight,” observed Dan Creasey, who spent his career at Harvard Medical School and, with his wife, Carolyn, were longtime subscribers to Boston’s Huntington Theatre before moving to Santa Barbara. “We were surprised after moving here, considering it’s such a small town in many ways. ETC is amazing.”

After dinner, an ensemble of ETC singers brought the evening to a close with a performance of “Seasons of Love,” from the upcoming show Rent. It was a fitting reminder that great theater doesn’t simply entertain – it helps people find where they belong.