At The Boston Conservatory’s “Reaching for the Stars!” gala are, left to right, TBC Board Chair Mimi Hewlett, Music Division Director Karl Paulnack, Gala Co-chairs Caroline Collings and Charlotte Prescott Newton, TBC President Richard Ortner and Voice and Opera Department Chair Patty Thom. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

The Boston Conservatory recently celebrated its 140th anniversary at its annual “Reaching for the Stars!” gala with a musical tribute at the Seaport Hotel. More than 250 guests enjoyed a reception, dinner, student musical performances and live auction with noted auctioneer John W. Terrio.

The honorary chairs for the elegant evening were Grammy-nominated Metropolitan Opera star Victoria Livengood ('85), Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Academy Award-winning composer and conductor John Williams. Caroline Collings and Charlotte Prescott Newton were the co-chairs.

Funds raised will benefit the Conservatory's Scholarship Fund. Opening its doors on Feb. 11, 1867, the Boston Conservatory was among the first colleges in the nation to grant degrees in theater, dance and music education and the first to have departments of opera, ballet and modern dance. 

Congratulations and Best Wishes all around! 


Boston Ballet Season Concludes with “Giselle” 

When Boston Ballet danced Maina Gielgud’s production of “Giselle” for the first time in 2002, critics responded with rapturous reviews. Gielgud’s production of “Giselle” returns to the repertory from May 10-20, when Boston Ballet concludes its 2006-2007 season with ten performances of this most poetic of all nineteenth-century full-length works at the Citi Performing Arts Center’s Wang Theatre.

Tickets for Giselle can be purchased by calling Telecharge at 800-447-7400, by visiting Telecharge online at www.telecharge.com, or in person at the Citi Performing Arts Center’s Wang Theatre box office, located at 270 Tremont Street in Boston’s Theatre District. Discounted group tickets (15 or more) are available by calling Boston Ballet’s Group Sales Office at 617-456-6343. 


Final Performances Scheduled for “Respect …”

The producers of “Respect, A Musical Journey,” the acclaimed show celebrating women through American popular music, have announced that on Sunday, May 20, the show will play its final performance of its very successful run at the Stuart Street Playhouse, where is has played since September 23, 2006. 

“Respect” will have run almost eight months in Boston, playing to nearly 60,000 theatre-goers in 232 performances. “Respect” has enjoyed an overwhelming response from Boston: from the critics who gave it rave reviews, to the audiences who gave the show standing ovations and sold-out performances. 

From Gershwin’s “Someone To Watch Over Me” to Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart,” “Respect” takes a funny, exuberant look at women’s lives as reflected in pop music. Written by popular music authority, Dorothy Marcic, the production chronicles four women and the songs they listened to at important milestones in their lives. 

“Respect” features an ensemble cast, a live band on stage, and more than 50 favorite songs, including “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “Mr. Sandman,” “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “These Boots are Made for Walkin’,” “I Am Woman,” “I Will Survive,” “Hero,” and of course, Aretha Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

Single tickets and dinner/theatre/parking packages are available at the Stuart Street Playhouse Box Office, at www.telecharge.com and by calling Telecharge.com at 800-447-7400. Discounts and priority seating are available for groups of 15 or more by calling 978-927-6606 or by calling Show of the Month Group Sales at 617-350-6000. 


Restaurant Scene: Ashmont Grill Update

We hear that patrons have enthusiastically received the change at the Ashmont Grill’s menu from an “a la carte” format. Most meals now include a full plate of veggies and starches, even the burgers. Also, they are now serving lunch on weekdays and the Patio is open for the season.

We are told that the “Monday Night Wine Club” is “going gangbusters” with attendance up. And the 25-bottle wine list is now all organic. The Ashmont Grill is located in Peabody Square at the intersection of Dorchester Ave., Ashmont Street and Talbot Ave. just north of the Ashmont T stop in Dorchester. For more information, call 617-825-4300 or visit www.ashmontgrill.com. 

Enjoy! 

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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