Independent Arts News Reporting Hammerstein Museum Presents "Oh What A Beautiful Evenin'" Gala to Support the Restoration of Highland Farm
Reported Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Pictured Above: A close up of Highland Farm current day. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Broadway Stars Christy Altomare, Justin Guarini, and Hugh Panaro Featured in Intimate Evening of Hammerstein Favorites
(DOYLESTOWN, PA) – The nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center will present “Oh, What a Beautiful Evenin’,” an exclusive gala on October 21, 2024 at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Buckingham, Pennsylvania. The glamorous evening with cocktails and a three-course gourmet dinner will feature entertainment by Broadway stars Christy Altomare (Anastasia, Mama Mia, Carrie), Justin Guarini (In Transit, Wicked, American Idol, American Idiot), and Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables). The talented and dynamic Ted Chapin (former President and Chief Creative Officer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization) will host the event.
The gala will support Hammerstein Museum’s fundraising campaign to restore Highland Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Oscar Hammerstein II’s former home and creative epicenter, and for the museum’s educational programs and general operating expenses. The nonprofit made news this past December when it purchased the Highland Farm property, preserving it for future generations of musical theatre and history enthusiasts.
The evening will include silent and live auctions, featuring uniquely Hammerstein curated experiences including Broadway show tickets, a two-night stay at the von Trapp Lodge with Brewery Tour (Stowe, VT), a Hammerstein-themed original artwork by Bucks County artist James Feehan, and an exclusive private dinner at Highland Farm.
The gala is being presented with support of a grant from the Bucks County Tourism Grant Program, along with generous sponsors including Café with Soul, Class-Harlan Real Estate and JoAnn & Paul Maroney, The Doylestown Inn, Eiseman Roofing Experts, Gemmi Construction, Golden Blossom Honey, Judith Ann Abrams Productions, Provident Bank, and von Trapp Brewing.
Tickets are available on the Hammerstein Museum website at hammersteinmuseum.org/2024-gala for $500 per person. To secure a table for 8 or 10 guests, contact Chris Hutton (chutton.ohmtec@gmail.com) Hammerstein Museum is a registered non-profit organization, and a portion of ticket purchases are tax-deductible.
Businesses and individuals who are interested in sponsoring this exclusive event, or would like to donate an item for the live or silent auction, should contact Eileen Shapiro (eshapiro.ohmtec@gmail.com).
Pictured Above: Oscar Hammerstein II in his study, Doylestown, PA. Photo Credit: Contributed.
ABOUT THE GALA’S BROADWAY PERFORMERS:
Pictured Above: Christy Altomare. Photo Credit: Contributed.
CHRISTY ALTOMARE originated the role of Anya in the Broadway production of Anastasia. She portrayed Sophie in Mama Mia in her Broadway debut, Sue Snell in Carrie at MCC Theater, and Wendla Bergmann in Spring Awakening (first national touring cast). In 2011, Christy brought to life Jerusha Abbott in the Detroit run of the new John Caird and Paul Gordon musical Daddy Long Legs.
Pictured Above: Justin Guarni. Photo Credit: Contributed.
JUSTIN GUARINI’s nearly 30-year career spans television, film, and stage, beginning as a standout finalist on *American Idol*’s debut season. From starring in 7 Broadway productions to becoming the iconic “Lil’ Sweet” in Diet Dr. Pepper commercials, Justin’s presence has captivated millions. As co-founder of The Elite Speakers Network, he now helps entrepreneurs, performers, and business owners unlock their “Signature Story,” creating unforgettable presentations that not only command attention, but drive results. Through his dynamic coaching, Justin empowers clients to turn their stage presence into powerful, profit-generating performances.
Pictured Above: Hugh Panaro. Photo Credit: Contributed.
HUGH PANARO is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times, including the 25th Anniversary production. In fact,
Hugh is one of the few actors to be cast by Harold Prince as both the Phantom and Raoul in the show’s Broadway production and recently starred as the title role in the New York production of Sweeney Todd. Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Miserables as Marius.
Pictured Above: Ted Chapin. Photo Credit: Contributed.
TED CHAPIN served as the President and Chief Creative Officer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization for forty years. Eight Tony Award-winning Broadway revivals and several television specials happened under his auspices. He serves on many boards, the American Theatre Wing, New York City Center, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, and was the head of the Advisory Committee for the Encores! series. He has appeared on many musical theatre documentaries and television programs, hosted the NJTV program American Songbook at NJPAC, and has lectured at colleges and universities from Yale to Duke. When his book, “Everything was Possible – the Birth of the Musical ‘Follies’” was published, it won an ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award and a Special Jury Prize for Distinguished Achievement by the Theatre Library Association.
ABOUT THE OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN MUSEUM AND THEATRE EDUCATION CENTER:
Dubbed the “Birthplace of the Modern American Musical,” Highland Farm was Hammerstein’s home and creative epicenter for the last 20 years of his life. It is where the Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration was born and where Hammerstein composed the lyrics for many of their works, including Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Remarkably, at Highland Farm Oscar met and mentored a young Stephen Sondheim, who has said “In one afternoon [at Highland Farm], I learned more about songwriting than most people do in a lifetime.” Over 75 Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and Pulitzer Prizes can be directly traced back to Highland Farm.
The nonprofit’s mission is to honor the Broadway legend’s groundbreaking work as a lyricist, librettist, mentor, and humanitarian and to educate and inspire generations of creators and theatre-lovers, with special opportunities for diverse and underserved communities.
Highland Farm’s restoration will commence with the porch and balcony, which has already begun with the generous assistance of Doylestown historic architectural firm, Period Architecture LTD and Providence Engineering, Other urgent projects include replacing the roof of the house and upgrading the climate control system. Combined costs for these initial projects are expected to be several hundred thousand dollars.
Public tours of Highland Farm are offered Friday to Sunday. Advance tickets are required. Private and group tours can be arranged by appointment. Information and the complete tour schedule can be found at hammersteinmuseum.org/tourinfo.
