Broadway Rose Theatre’s Hootenanny Raises $83,000 for Musical Theater

Portland, May 29th, 2015. Broadway Rose Theatre hosted this year’s annual fundraising gala with a Western sensibility. More than 110 cowpokes, including gala committee chair and Broadway Rose board member Barbara Amling, The Boeing Company’s Deanna Haley and Barbara & Conrad Pearson of the Pearson Financial Group, gathered to celebrate at the Hootenanny! and embraced the theme in all their denim-and-gingham finery. Conrad Pearson, owner of Pearson Financial Group, Broadway Rose Founding Artistic Director, Sharon Maroney and Broadway Rose board member Barbara Pearson enjoyed the Western atmosphere. The event raised a record-breaking $83,000 to support Broadway Rose’s musical theater productions and education programming. A matching grant was given by the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Performers Bobby Jackson, Amy Jo Halliday, James Sharinghousen, Claire Avakian and Joe Theissen open the show.

Broadway Rose General Manager, Dan Murphy shares a laugh with Hootenanny! guest and longtime Broadway Rose supporter, Bonnie Conger.

Upon entering, guests were greeted by the members of the St. Paul Rodeo’s Royal Court and treated to music by the River City Ramblers. In addition, Broadway Rose actors including Amy Jo Halliday, Joe Theissen, Bobby Jackson and James Sharinghousen performed throughout the evening. Founding Artistic Director, Sharon Maroney, spoke to the enthusiastic crowd about the theater’s 24-season history and what she hoped to achieve in the future. Singer Claire Avakian closed the show with her rendition of “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Avakian will play the titular character in this popular musical during Broadway Rose’s production, which runs July 2-26 at the Deb Fennell Auditorium.

For more information about Broadway Rose, visit www.broadwayrose.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.