WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. October 1, 2003, UPDATED 1:15 P.M. SUPPLEMENTED 2 P.M. with pictures: Invitations are beginning to be received across White Plains for the Gala Opening of the White Plains Performing Arts Center that will showcase the classic comedian, Bob Newhart “in concert” on early Sunday evening, November 9. 

His appearance and the theatre's premier show, All Under Heaven, starring Valerie Harper, will be officially announced at a News Conference Thursday morning at 11:00 A.M. to begin at City Hall at the 11 o'clock hour and proceed to City Center  White Plains Performing Arts Center for a press tour, now under construction and being furnished internally, according to an official news advisory issued by City Hall Wednesday evening.

Gala Invitation Invites White Plains Rich Famous and Connected to Show Business: The invitation you've been waiting for was arriving this week in city and county mailboxes all over town. Photo by WPCNR News

Mr. Newhart,  will be the “Star of the Gala” and have the honor of christening the city’s first community theatre. The star of nightclubs, and two longrunning television sitcoms will present a comedy performance at 7 PM, and will host a VIP Post-Show Reception beginning at 8:30 P.M. Well-heeled honchos, honchoettes, and patrons of the arts and outstanding citizens of White Plains and Westchester will begin to arrive by limousine to mingle, smooze and showcase at a Cocktail and Hors d’oeuvres extravaganza beginning at 5:30 P.M.

Valerie Harper, will have the distinction of appearing in the first official “run” at The White Plains Performing Arts Center from November 18 to November 23, appearing in her one-woman show in which she plays the author, Pearl Buck, All Under Heaven. Showtimes and ticket purchasing information will be announced  Davidson said.

Invitations Are Out to the City's Hottest and Most Expensive Ticket

Invitations for the toney event have gone out and request a minimum $250 per guest contribution to mingle and dig the scene, and watch vintage Bob Newhart in performance. The invitation invites groups White Plains and Westchester aficionados of the arts to immortalize their commitment and be designated “Angels” to the tragic-comic muse with a $25,000 contribution to the WPPAC  that will be remembered to future generations by their names being inscribed on a “Founders Plaque” to be displayed in the lobby of the White Plains Performing Arts Center. As an Angel the $25,000 buys you twelve tickets and “Preferred Seating.”

Other degrees of support are the “Star” level with a $10,000 contribution that gives you 8 tickets. “Producer” status, $5,000, bringing you 6 tickets. The $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 commitments include the entire evening consisting of the Cocktail Hour Pre-Performance Reception, Mr. Newhart’s show, and the Post Performance Reception with Mr. Newhart.

SPONSORSHIPS REQUESTED: A copy of the patrons' choices they have to fund the White Plains Performing Arts Center at the Gala on November 9. Proceeds from the mostly tax-deductible contributions and sponsorships will be used to fund theatre operations. Photo by WPCNR News

At the “Author,” status, you may bring three friends for $2,500, which entitles you to 4 seats, but you will miss the Post Performance Reception. Each of these levels of commitment includes an advertisement in the Gala’s Commemorative Journal.

For couples wishing to be in on entertainment history in White Plains, two tickets may be obtained with a Contribution of $1,500 letting you join in the Cocktail reception and view the Newhart show. A single ticket will be $250, also entitling you to the Cocktail reception.

A New Era

The official invitation  remarks, "This event marks a new era for White Plains with the inception of Westchester's newest professional not-for-profit theatre," and promises the opportunity "of being a sponsor of the Gala Opening and join Mayor Delfino and the Common Council members, as well as other community and business leaders."

The announcement states the theatre's mission: "The White Plains Performing Arts Center will be home to the best professional theatre, family programs, music and dance concerts as well as a hothouse for exciting new works and a venue for showcasing local talent. Your participation and support of our Gala Opening fundraising event will help shape the future of the center as a cultural resource to the community for many years to come."

RSVPs  to purchase tickets to the Gala are to be returned to Chauncey Walker  of The Founding Board of Trustees  c/o of Cuddy & Feder at 90 Maple Avenue in White Plains. the invitation invites the public to call the WPPAC office at (914) 422-1376 or e-mail Tony Stimac at tony@hhtco.org for more information.

Big Splash Conference  Moved Up to Thursday Morning.

Kathy Davidson, Theatre Manager told WPCNR yesterday that a news conference Friday would detail performances to come, and did not tell us that Valerie Harper was not performing in the Gala which was what we called to confirm with her. (That news conference has been moved up to Thursday at 11 A.M. at the City Center Performing Arts Center site.)

In our City Center Timetable story Tuesday, the date of the gala given to us by George Gretsas, the Mayor's Executive Officer one week ago, he said was Saturday, which is November 8.  

Tuesday, WPCNR called to ask Ms. Davidson to confirm that the Gala was taking place on the 8th and would it feature Valerie Harper and which show was she doing. 

Ms. Davidson did not correct our impression that the Gala was taking place on November 8. She did not tell us Ms. Harper would not be involved in the Gala Performance when I asked what show Ms. Harper was going to play for the Gala. WPCNR apologizes for creating any confusion over the actual date of the Gala, which might be attributed to the city wanting to keep the audience and WPCNR in suspense. Who knows, Ms. Harper may very well put in an appearance and mingle at the Gala itself.

As Shakespeare would say, "All's well that ends well."