South Coast Repertory just celebrated the conclusion of its stellar 60th season, but the Tony Award-winning theater is still shining bright with the announcement of its 2024 gala, “Play On,” taking place on October 19 at SCR and The Westin, and special guest Melissa Rivers, an award-winning writer, host and producer
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a champagne reception at SCR. At 6 p.m., Rivers joins SCR Artistic Director David Ivers on the Julianne Argyros Stage. The event moves to the Westin at 6:45 p.m. for a cocktail reception, with dinner following at 7:30 p.m. Elite Show Band will play after dinner, providing entertainment for the dance floor until 11 p.m.
In anticipation of the world premiere of “Joan” by Daniel Goldstein, Gala guests will be treated to an entertaining and candid conversation between Ivers and Rivers, focusing on Rivers’ mother—iconic comedian Joan Rivers.
Melissa Rivers will share the personal side of her mother with stories that promise to engage and enlighten as they bring an American Icon to life. This special preview gives Gala patrons insight into the story behind Joan, which takes the Julianne Argyros Stage Oct. 27-Nov. 24.
Kristen and Adrian Griggs return to chair the 2024 Gala Committee. The husband-and-wife team chaired last year’s 60th Season Gala and have been enthusiastic supporters of SCR. Adrian Griggs serves on the SCR Board of Trustees as Vice President/Finance. They were honorary producers for six Pacific Playwrights Festivals, and they are First Night (opening night) subscribers on both the Segerstrom and Julianne Argyros stages.
SCR’s annual Gala is the theatre’s most vital fundraiser, with proceeds supporting SCR’s onstage artistry, as well as it’s education and outreach programs. Together, those programs reach more than 65,000 Southern California residents of all ages.
The 2024 Gala will also feature a raffle of exclusive luxury items and unique experiences. Single raffle tickets are $300 each or five for $1,200, with the proceeds helping further SCR’s artistic and educational mission. Winners need not be present to win. Visit scr.org/gala for additional details and purchasing information.
The 2024 Gala Committee members include Leona Aronoff-Sadacca, Monica Guillena, Wendy Hales, Michael Hards, Mariam Khosravani, Lea Kong, Talya Nevo-Hacohen, Stacey Nicholas, Regina Oswald, Stephanie Rogers and Susan Shieldkret.
Early underwriters for the 2024 Gala include Gold Underwriters Apriem Advisors, Leona Aronoff-Sadacca, Steve and Laurie Duncan, Talya Nevo-Hacohen and Bill Schenker, Pacific Life Foundation, South Coast Plaza, and Samuel and Tammy Tang and Silver Underwriters Stephen G. & Regina Oswald Foundation, Susan Shieldkret and David Dull and Socorro and Ernesto Vasquez.
A limited number of $1,500 Gala single tickets are available. For table sponsorships, information on upgraded single-ticket packages or sponsorships, please contact SCR at (714) 708-5521.
Tickets and tables are now on sale by calling (714) 708-5521, at www.scr.org/gala, or by emailing gala@scr.org.
About South Coast Rep: Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern plays and musicals, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program—The Lab@SCR—which includes one of the nation’s largest commissioning programs for emerging, mid-career and established writers.
Of SCR’s more than 500 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres. SCR-developed works have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes and eight Pulitzer nominations, several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards.
Located in Costa Mesa, SCR is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. Visit www.scr.org.
