A Masked Affair
#SEEN&UNSEEN: Hiding in plain sight behind masks of every size and shape Friday night were 420 theater lovers. It was the very theatrical production A Masked Affair, which benefited Pittsburgh Public Theater. Tim Komen and TK Event Studio did a wonderful job of turning the ballroom at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh hotel, Downtown, into a fanciful venue, and it was made more interesting by the guests. Event cochairs Christina and Rob Cochran (his mask had car keys on it) and Karen and Shawn Hanlon mingled during cocktails among the troupe of jugglers, stilt walkers, contortionists and other performers. The Cochrans of #1Cochran were accompanied by their daughters, Faith, Olivia and Eliza.
Artistic director Marya Sea Kaminski and managing director Lou Castelli were delighted with the event. “It has been so lovely to plan this party, to celebrate The Public and to get to know Pittsburgh this year,” said Ms. Kaminski, now nine months into her directorship. “I feel like this is the perfect celebration for our first year together, and what Lou and I have been hoping to do and trying to do is swing our doors open, invite people in, have some fun and tell some great stories.” Adding with a smile, “I think we are doing that tonight!”
A performance by Wesley Madge, the Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest winner, and a fastpaced live auction with David Silverman followed dinner. The masked car, parked by the stage, was donated by Cochran auto. Finally, guests dropped their masks and filled the dance floor to the sounds of In The Mood.
Among the masked and unmasked were: George Heigel and Luke Klein; Derick Stalker (in high heels and an antlered mask); Karen Woodall and Neal Binstock; Dr. Richard Moriarty (the creator of Mr. Yuk) and David Hairhoger; Dolly and Curt Ellenberg; Debbie and Frank Coonelly; and Shelly and Dan Onorato.
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