Rock School's 40th Anniversary Gala, Arden Theatre's Granfalloon & Roaring Into Our Twenties: The Prince Music Theater's Annual Gala

by A.D. Amorosi

With an ever-widening circle of organizations facing cuts, slices and dices due to the unkind action of the mayor's office, there's no time like the present for Philadelphian arts, big and small, to start asking for cash. This week sees three of Philly's treasured arts orgs tying their bows and strapping on heels, so to gala for monies.

While Marjorie Samoff, president and producing director of the Prince Music Theater, understands the need for star-studdedness -- this year's gala, "Roaring Into Our Twenties" on May 10, will feature Broadway stars Jason Danieley and Martin Vidnovic -- she also knows the necessity of fundraising events. "We're a $5 million theater; 78 percent of our expenses go to personnel who pay taxes to the city and the state of Pennsylvania," she states. The funding for the Prince breaks down as 47 percent from a combination of ticket sales and other earned income, and roughly 53 percent from private contributions. "From the city, we get less than 1 percent of our budget. It is a small amount of money [that the city gives] but deeply important to feel that the city is supporting the content of the arts." Along with celebrating the Prince's 20th anniversary, private contributors gather at this year's gala to honor Suzanne Roberts, Emmy Award-winner and namesake of the arts-education-oriented Suzanne Roberts Scholarship Fund: Seeking Solutions for Youth.

To celebrate 40 years of Philly's Rock School for Dance Education, the Rock family (Milton Rock owns CP's parent company, Metroweek Corp.) and directors Bojan Spassoff and Stephanie Wolf Spassoff have garnered sponsorship from Temple University Health System for this year's gala. Necessary funds play the king's role in the backstage drama of the Arden Theatre's 12th annual Granfalloon; a night dedicated to celebrating Terrence Nolen and Aaron Posner's Old City theater and its works, old and new. Certainly the stars of its most recent and upcoming plays -- Franklin's Apprentice and Charles Dickens' Hard Times -- will be in attendance.

Rock School’s 40th Anniversary Gala, Fri., May 7, 6:30 p.m., $75-$300, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-551-7010 ext. 1103. Arden Theatre’s Granfalloon, Sat., May 8, pre-Falloon cocktails 6 p.m., Granfalloon 7:30 p.m., $250, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-922-8900. Roaring Into Our Twenties: The Prince Music Theater’s Annual Gala, Mon., May 10, $300-$500, pre-show cocktails, 5:30 p.m., Ritz-Carlton, 10 S. Broad St.; show, 7:30 p.m., Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-972-1012.

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