http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/11/community/doc5118459a3d89f804964382.txt

Stage Set For L&CTC Gala Saturday

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

The Lewis and Clark Theatre Company (LCTC) is set to hold its annual gala this weekend, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the Dakota Theatre in downtown Yankton.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Minerva’s in Yankton. Tickets can be purchased by calling Michele Leibfarth at 605-661-0303. Tickets will also be sold at the door if the event does not sell out.

“There will be a live auction, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a dessert auction as well,” Leibfarth said. “Back by popular demand this year will be Yankton’s version of the’ David Letterman Show’ featuring Chris Hilson as David Letterman with Mike Hilson as Paul Shaffer with a band, too.”

The band will feature music from Jay Gilbertson, Mark Johnson and Tom Zoss, with Ted Powell on the piano and Scott Olson playing the role of Doc Severinsen.

“Each year, the live auction has been very popular and will feature a number of dinner options,” Leibfarth said. “New this year, there will be a fishing excursion with Cabela’s master Walleye circuit world champion Curtis Olivier on the Missouri River.

“However, the main draw to the event has always been our version of the David Letterman show. Everyone that goes loves it, and people that don’t go say they’re sorry they missed out every year.”

Other live auction items include a dinner with the president of USD, a dinner with the president of Mount Marty, a big barbecue party put on by Steve Huff, and a Chilean dinner. There is also another boating trip with a tour of the Gavins Point power plant.

Leibfarth added that Chris and Mike Hilson add a lot to the annual show. Chris Hilson, playing Letterman, a former radio personality, making him a natural for the role. Mike Hilson is a very in-demand area musician.

“They put the band together just for this show so it should be really nice to see,” Leibfarth said. “There will also be various ‘stars’ that come out to the show — some back by popular demand and others who will be brand new this year.”

The actors playing the stars for the show come from around the region, including some from Minneapolis, Sioux Falls and Nebraska.

“They all have a history here in Yankton and are popular individuals in town and have done performances in the past with the theatre company or high school theater,” she said. “The show, as a whole, is really funny and is really professionally done so people that go love it. Terry Winter has been a director for many plays in Yankton, including for the Yankton School District and theatre company.”

Leibfarth thanked the sponsors of the event and said they can only put on a show due to their generous help.

“Last year, the event raised more than $14,000 for the theatre company, and this year we’re hoping to push that number up above $15,000,” she said. “All of the proceeds go to the theater. Last year the funds we received really helped to keep the theater open. Our goal is to keep live theater up and running in downtown Yankton.”

The 20212 fundraiser attracted approximately 300 people. Committee members hope to push that number to more than 320 this year.

Leibfarth added that many people don’t know how much it takes to keep the theater doors open. The theatre company must have the rights to the shows its presents, plus have directors and costumes, plus the building upkeep — all adding up to a lot of expense.

“We began doing these fundraisers four years ago to keep the theater here open,” she said. “After each event is over, we immediately began making the plans for next years event, including putting together our ideas and gathering the entertainment for the night. It takes more than six months of hard work and planning to get each event off the ground.”

Leibfarth said she enjoys gathering all the people together that love theater in Yankton to share in the enjoyment of a show that helps out the theatre company.

“This is a very popular event and a really fun night out. I can’t describe it any more than, you just have so much fun at the fundraiser,” she said.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal