Behind the Mask Gala

Saturday, March 5, 2011 | 6 p.m.
Ritz Carlton, Sarasota | $295 pp
Black-tie Optional

Chairs
Anne Folsom Smith & Beathe Elden

Unmask your passions with conductor, Andrew Lane, the Sarasota Orchestra, celebrated Broadway performers and internationally acclaimed ballroom dancers in a dazzling, magical Gala.

In the Ritz Ballroom, the “Behind the Mask” Broadway performance promises to make this a memorable evening. The concert portion of the thrilling evening features the music of legendary composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as other great Broadway works.

Traveling from New York, dynamic Broadway entertainers Nat Chandler, Teri Dale Hansen and Rosena Hill will reprise some of the most beloved ballads from the most popular musicals. The music and vocals will include favorites from Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, Hair, Cats, Mama Mia, Jersey Boys, Evita and Mary Poppins.

This evening of non-stop excitement will also feature international ballroom dance stars Thomas Papkala and Frantiska Yordanova performing a special exhibition. As the Polish Representatives to the World, this sizzling couple placed in the finals of the European Championships in November. Thomas and Frantiska are considered two of the fastest-rising stars in the ballroom dance community.

The night will include sumptuous dining and will close with dancing to the band Double Vision.

The Gala is the Orchestra’s largest fundraising event of the season. The generosity of attendees and sponsors make it possible for the Orchestra to provide magnificent performances, secure brilliant guest artists and support a rich variety of musical, educational and community and youth programs - with the Sarasota Music Festival as the crescendo each year.

Please contact Rebecca Campbell to make advanced reservations and to discuss sponsorship opportunities at 941-487-2743.

Thomas Papkala & Frantiska Yordanova

Ballroom dance champions, Thomas Papkala and Frantiska Yordanova are Polish Representatives to the World and are considered two of the hottest, fastest-rising stars in the ballroom dance community. They have enjoyed much success in their young partnership, having only been dancing together for a few years. This past November, the couple was thrilled to place in the final of the European Championships. Thomas and Frantiska are on the go non-stop, competing, performing and enjoying their passion for working with young dancers. The busy couple travel abroad a great deal as competitive dancers, but when not dancing they enjoy spending time in New Jersey and planning for their upcoming wedding.

Teri Dale Hansen

Miss. Hansen made her Broadway debut in THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE and began her career starring in London’s West End as “Magnolia” in Hal Prince’s Tony award winning production of SHOW BOAT. She starred as “Rose” in the film version of Kurt Weill’s STREET SCENE (BRAVO! Channel as well as the Premiere production in Berlin at the Theatre Des Westens). Miss. Hansen starred in the Broadway national tours of THE MUSIC MAN as “Marian Paroo”, “Guenevere” in CAMELOT, as “Magnolia” in SHOW BOAT, and most recently, in the world premiere of BROADWAY DREAMS at the Kurt Weill Festival in Dessau, Germany. Miss. Hansen returned to the Festival again to reprise her role of “Rose” for the world premiere of “Street Scenes”. Miss. Hansen appears regularly at the Lincoln Center where she performs Gershwin as a part of their prestigious “Meet the Artist” series.

Miss. Hansen is a Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award nominee, proud graduate of Florida State University and alumnae of the Houston Opera Studio. Miss. Hansen’s solo CD “Into Your Arm... Love Songs of Richard Rodgers” is available worldwide and through her website www.terihansen.net.

Nat Chandler

Nat Chandler has enjoyed a multifaceted career on Broadway, the concert stage, and in opera. On Broadway he appeared in The Scarlet Pimpernel as Percy Blakeney. Another career highlight includes the recent roles of Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate and Shaunard in La Boheme for Tampa Opera. Mr.Chandler starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera directed by Hal Prince and toured the United States opposite Sarah Brightman in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Mr. Chandler has played the role of Lancelot opposite Robert Goulet's King Arthur in Camelot, Rapunzel's Prince in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, and Lun Tha in The King and I with Yul Brynner. Barrymore Award nominated for his work in the roles of Phantom in the Yestin/Kopit Phantom and Lancelot in Camelot, Nat also received a Kevin Kline nomination for Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Rosena M. Hill

Currently stars in COME FLY AWAY and recently starred in THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG on Broadway. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in March of 2008 starring in the tribute to Oscar Hammerstein with David Charles Abel conducting. She has starred on Broadway in the Color Purple, the “Lady of the Lake” in the Tony award winning, Monty Python’s Spamalot, “Mrs. Stillman” in Imaginary Friends, “Ellen” in the 2002 Rodgers and Hammerstein II, Oklahoma revival, the Amanzi soloist in Riverdance on Broadway, “Ozelia” in Marie Christine at Lincoln Center and “Sarah’s friend” in Ragtime. Ms. Hill also performed the role of Sarah, with the 1st National Tour of Ragtime. Her regional performances include the role of “Pam” in Baby at the Papermill Theatre, “Michelle” in Dreamgirls at American Musical Theatre of San Jose, California Musical Theatre, and 5th Avenue Theatre; “Dominique du Monaco” in Lucky Stiff at the York Theatre; “Armelia” in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Playhouse on the Green; the soprano in Brief History of White Music at Hanna Theatre Cabaret; “Smart Women soloist” in Imaginary Friends at the Globe Theatre, “Sophie” in 1001 Nights at George Street Playhouse and “Winnie Mandela” in Mandela at Crossroads. Ms. Hill has performed Cinderella, Chess, Gypsy, Kiss Me Kate, and La Cage aux Folles with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.