Following a six-million-dollar renovation and expansion of the backstage area, the grand reopening of the Alex Theatre was billed as an unforgettable evening, and the event lived up to the hype. The VIP guests were treated to a glamorous red carpet entrance and cocktail party prior to the show. A guided tour of the Theatre showcased the expansion and highlighted the dedication to the arts that Glendale Arts is known for.
Catering these types of events is one of our favorite things, and we are very proud that our food and services could be a part of such an incredible evening for the arts in Los Angeles. Here are some highlights from our fabulous night at the Alex Theatre.
The Music
The Glendale Pops Orchestra held nothing back as it regaled the crowd with music in its signature style. With a program of several varied classic and modern pieces, the Glendale Pops Orchestra is led by maestro Matt Catingub. A performance of the jazz classic “It Had to Be You” was conducted brilliantly by Mr. Catingub, who also provided the vocals. Several jazz classics were performed, but the program featured a few other genres of music as well. Classical and modern pieces were performed with equal flair and precision, much to the delight of the audience. Several guest musicians were on hand to lend their expertise to various numbers. These included the guitar virtuoso Andrew Synowiec, trumpet master Bob Summers, tenor saxophonist Jeff Driskell, and bass guitar wizard Kevin Axt. The Glendale Pops Orchestra also performed a stunning rendition of the Strauss classic “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” Popularly known as the theme from the film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the number was followed by an enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience.The Comedy
Following the wonderful orchestral performance and a brief intermission, celebrated comedian, actor, and musician Martin Short took the stage. Famous for films such as “Father of the Bride” and “¡Three Amigos!,” Martin Short has also been seen recently in the hit television show “How I Met Your Mother.” With such an impeccable entertainment resume, this portion of the evening’s program was sure to be a hit.
The Glendale Pops Orchestra accompanied Mr. Short as he performed several Broadway hits and other classic musical numbers. Mr. Short then launched into a comedy routine, which included some of his best-loved comedic characters. Faux talk show host Jiminy Glick made an appearance, along with Short’s hilarious version of Irving Berlin.
The Food
Immediately following the performance, a special dinner catered by Anoush was held in a lavishly decorated tent located behind the Theatre. Adorned with red roses, the tent was designed to encourage mingling and interaction among the guests, and a wonderful time was had by all. We pulled out all the stops with our menu for the evening, and our dedication to the event’s attendees was met with rave reviews. We offered a selection of our finest appetizers, which included our delectable watermelon caprese salad garnished with fresh feta cheese. The risotto balls were a huge hit, as was the asparagus wrap. Our famous soup shooters and tuna and cucumber cups were a fresh addition to the menu, and our fig amuse-bouche was the perfect small-bite addition to the stellar menu. Specialized grilling stations were on hand to allow guests to choose their own entrees. Delicious beef, chicken, and shrimp were available, expertly prepared by our chefs. The entire menu was met with rave reviews, and our dedicated wait staff were delighted with the many compliments received from the event’s guests. It’s always a pleasure for us to be able to cater such a special event as the one held at the Alex Theatre. Glendale Arts is a fabulous organization and has done a great deal to benefit the community of Glendale. The renovations on the Theatre will only serve to allow Glendale Arts to continue their great work in a number of new and exciting ways. The combination of the stellar performance by the Glendale Pops Orchestra and the uproarious talent of the great Martin Short made the Alex Theatre’s grand re-opening a rousing success. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the continued success of Glendale Arts and the Alex Theatre than this fabulous event, and we look forward to working with their dedicated and wonderful staff in the future. I
Image by vpisteve on Flickr’s Creative Commons.
