Event: More than 500 of Chicago’s cultural glitterati converged on the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago on May 20 to celebrate the Goodman Theatre’s “Sequins and Soul” annual gala.

Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning singer/composer/actor/playwright/director, Billy Porter, rocked the house in thigh-high crimson heels with a reprisal of this 2013 Tony® Award-winning performance from Broadway’s “Kinky Boots.”

At a time when State and Federal arts funding is being slashed, the Goodman, as Chicago’s flagship non-profit theater, continues the community outreach programs it has been engaging in for the past three decades.

Cause célèbre: “All of the funds that we raise go towards the arts and education enrichment programs, mostly for disadvantaged students,” explained Diane Landgren of Elmhurst, event co-chairman.

In 2016, the Goodman opened its Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement which works to better understand ‘how arts and culture can contribute to community problem-solving and growth’ through building partnerships. 

Sondra Healy of Winnetka, a 35-year board member, past two-term women’s board president and former board chairman for six years while the Goodman’s permanent space was being built out, said, “It’s just amazing to see the vitality and the revival downtown and I think the Goodman had a great part in that. ”

And 25-year subscriber, Dan Devin of Northbrook, explained just exactly why he keeps coming to the Goodman. “Well, first of all, I’m married,” said Devin matter-of-factly. “And my wife told me when we got married to get culture. So we joined all the major institutions.” Devin’s wife, Gayle, who actually lives part-time in Minneapolis, Mn., running their business, says attending the Goodman is a must when she’s in town. “They do some incredible performances and really it’s a great organization for local theater,” said Devin.

Bottom line: The event raised nearly $1 million for education and engagement programs.