Zach Theatre is passing up no chances to toast its new Topfer Theatre. Last week, artistic director Dave Steakley rolled out energetic snippets from upcoming shows on its large, very live stage. Later this month, matching galas will welcome Broadway stars Bernadette Peters and Brian Stokes Mitchell to the same stage.
Elisbeth Challener and Terry Lickona
Wednesday, backers and guests mixed casually in the Topfer lobby before hearing about the first honorees who will be lionized in the unfinished People’s Plaza. Don’t expect to see the actual pillars or the giant touch screen emblazoned with their names until March 2013. By then, the theater might release a second or third round of honors.
Berry Crowley, Kirk Watson and Liz Watson
The first seven luminaries were easy choices: Late first lady Lady Bird Johnson, cyclist and anti-cancer crusader Lance Armstrong, deceased Gov. Ann Richards, Texas Sen. Kirk Watson, ACL wizard Terry Lickona, much-laureled musician Ray Benson and business rainmaker Gary Farmer.
Linda Richards and Ellen Richards
I’m pleased to report that Zach leaders remind their audiences frequently that the new stage is named for much-missed diva Karen Kuykendall, the auditorium for superstar benefactor James Armstrong and the whole shebang for Mort and Bobbi Topfer.
Never tire of those names.