Ridgefield Playhouse Executive Directors Ashley Paltauf and Jared Shadid are the powerhouse team behind the hundreds of annual top-line musical performances, comedy shows, Broadway acts, and educational experiences for our young people.
The duo, together with the Playhouse team, have been busy setting the stage for the community event of the summer! The Ridgefield Playhouse will hold its 13th Annual Summer Fundraiser on Saturday, June 15 and welcome a band that has had 19 top-ten singles and four Grammy nominations!
The Goo Goo Dolls are headed to Ridgefield! Here, we talk about all things “Summer Celebration” with Ashley Paltauf.
Q: Ridgefield Playhouse Summer Celebration vs Gala - why the change and if/will the event be different?
A: After last year’s incredible response to our Buddy Guy and Itzhak Perlman Galas, we started to look closely at what each event means to the Playhouse. Our Summer fundraisers have been fun, low-key, and typically under a tent with an atmosphere of ‘party’! We love to theme these summer events and support goes directly back into the Playhouse’s general operating support. Our Fall Galas are much more formal, with a sit-down dinner, black-tie suggested attire, speeches and a focus on one Playhouse initiative. At Itzhak Perlman, we focused on our Arts in Education programming and raised funds that now support inviting students for free to these shows.
Q: How do you envision the upcoming Summer Gala's fundraising goals, and which specific area of the Playhouse do you intend the proceeds to support?
A: The Summer Fundraiser is a great way to get some key initiatives off the ground, therefore the funding raised for this evening goes not only to the cost of this impressive act but also to general operating support. This year we will be introducing another arm of our non-profit mission that will focus on Community Engagement, stay tuned!
A: I mean, how do you choose? There are so many hits that just take me back to the 90s and somehow, I remember every lyric?! Nostalgic songs like “Iris,” “Slide,” and “Black Balloon”!! In previous fundraising events, you've curated a distinct atmosphere, such as the "Damn Right Speakeasy" for Buddy Guy last summer.
Q: What creative vision do you have in mind for the Summer Celebration featuring the Goo Goo Dolls?
A: We are grateful for an amazing staff and to tap into the incredible mind of Jenifer Johnson, Owner of Sweet Bean Events to bring our vision to life. This Rock n’ Roll Bash will bring back the era of 90's grunge and alternative rock. Guests will enter our outdoor space and will be immersed in a vintage, moody, summer garden party with live music, one-of-a-kind auction items, catered summer fare and signature cocktails. After the party, you will be ushered inside the Playhouse for an exclusive Goo Goo Doll’s performance.
Q: Anything you wish I asked?
A: I wish you had asked what to wear to the party! It’s a Rock’n Roll Garden Party Theme, so interpret as you wish- It might be leather jackets, a floral headpiece, or ripped jeans while wearing a corsage, have fun with it!
Summer Celebration featuring the Goo Goo Dolls member pre-sale begins TODAY, Tuesday, February 13 at 10am and Public Sale begins on Friday, February 16 at 10 am. Learn about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets here.