TNP 65th Anniversary Gala The Naples Players Raise $1.3 Million for Theatre at Annual Gala The Naples Players raised over $1.3 million dollars at their 65th anniversary gala The Sapphire Soiree for community theatre programming in Southwest Florida. The evening featured reprised performances from CHICAGO, KidzAct’s Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and a pre-
“The Naples Players is the gold standard for
view performance from the upcoming musical
community arts in Southwest Florida, but our
Guys and Dolls.
roots are humble, beginning in the Watkins
Held in the Grand Pavilion of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, the gala attracted over 250 theatre patrons and philanthropists, such as Myra Janco Daniels, Marla and Allen Weiss, and Jay and Patty Baker. Gala co-chair Alyssa Haney, who was recently honored as Naples’ Young Professional of the Year, sees the event as a family reunion of sorts.
family’s living room sixty-five years ago,” Haney said. “Although our arts programming is serving tens of thousands of people each year, there’s a tight-knit community that feels more like a family.” The evening’s auction featured a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 from Mercedes-Benz of Naples, an assortment of wine from Fairways Wine Vault of Naples, and a Broadway package including rare tickets to the Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival and a backstage experience to Come From Away. Gala hosts Tanya & Denny Glass are also making charitable waves in the community as the Naples Zoo’s Glass Animal Hospital is opened. Tanya Glass is an accomplished artist who frequently exhibits with the Naples Art Association, while Denny Glass has recently taken the helm as The Naples Players’ board president. The evening’s programming also featured
Patty and Jay BAKER
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speakers that touched on many of The Naples
