The newly opened Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston served as the perfect canvas as Picasso inspired murals and vibrant décor adorned the Grand Ballroom. More than 500 guests guests arrived donned in the finest, most avant-garde fashions, all to benefit the Alley Theatre, and to pay homage to the 2018 Ball Honoree, Lynn Wyatt. Guests were greeted with an oversized Picasso-inspired backdrop, dramatic florals, models decked in the latest avant-garde fashions, all while artists painted live portraits as the crowds mixed and mingled. 

During cocktail hour, guests surveyed the silent auction area which included trips to Napa, Costa Rica, and Argentina, along with specialty Broadway packages, fine wine and bourbon packages and pairings, art, and much more.

As guests entered the Ballroom for dinner, they were transported into the world of Picasso with custom paintings that showcased a mix of Alley productions interlaced with Picasso’s unique style. Alley Board President Butch Mach set the tone of the evening and welcomed guests to the start of an “avant-garde” affair. Co-chairs Oscar Brown and Sarah Morgan followed with remarks about their relationship with the Alley, and thanked the Ball Committee and all the supporters for the evening.

Interim Artistic Director James Black and Alley Resident Company actors Jay Sullivan, Elizabeth Bunch, and Todd Waite, performed a moving tribute to honor Lynn Wyatt. Also included in the tribute was a special video message from Renee Flemming, and a touching letter to Lynn from Bette Midler, read by Alley Resident Company Member Melissa Pritchett. James Black praised Lynn for her enormous support of the Theatre, naming her the inaugural recipient of the Nina Vance Visionary in Arts Award. 

Following dinner, guests enjoyed a live auction with items sure to provide memorable experiences and lifetime memories. The big winners of the evening were: Glenn Vangolen winning the Paris, and Prague experience, Chip Babcock winning a Broadway Frozen experience in New York; the Ultimate Houston Astros package was claimed by C.C. and Duke Ensell, with Mady and Ken Kades taking a night with Elton John at the Toyota Center for the win.

This spectacular evening was marked as a record breaking Ball raising nearly $1.2 million.

To see photos from the event, view the slideshow below.