A.R.T. Gala

Must Be Ruff…

The Boch Wang Theatre provided an appropriately dramatic backdrop for the American Repertory Theater’s Gala, which began with a cocktail reception in the ornate marble lobby and continued with a dinner and program on the stage.

The A.R.T. Gala at Boch Wang Theatre; Photo Credit: Gretjen Helene

Among the throng: the evening’s honoree, Paul Buttenwieser, and his lovely other half, Katie, co-chairs Ann and Graham Gund and Jerry Jordan, his swanlike mother, Barbara, with husband Bob Pemberton, soignee Kitty Creighton and her adoring other half, Peter, Chestnut Hillions Kasey Kaufman and Michael Horwitz, Gallic charmer Coco Montagu and his flawless wife, Kyra, Gardner head honcha Peggy Fogelman, ICA grand poobah Jill Medvedow, A.R.T. artistic director Diane Paulus, the improbably tall Onnie Mayshak with the impossibly gorgeous Katie, travel titan Jim Moses, banking babe Dyan Goodwin and the ever-affable Rob Serio, brunette bombshell Rachael Goldfarb and her main squeeze, Mark Slovenkai, uber arts supporters Cokie and Lee Perry, the radiant Ursula Liff, brilliant composer Tod Machover, outgoing Harvard president Drew Faust, incoming Harvard president Larry Bacow, Wang chief Joe Spaulding, A.R.T. board member Candy Gold, and the Holy Trinity of Boston society—Susan Paine, Barbara Hostetter and Lillie Johnson—whose presence confirmed, in case anyone was wondering, that they were definitely in the right place.

Ellen Poss, Jill Medvedow and Paul Buttenwieser at the A.R.T. Gala

The dinner was a glittering affair, and the live auction was blessedly short, while the evening’s highlight was undoubtedly the sneak peak of Jagged Little Pill, the upcoming musical based on the Alanis Morissette album of the same name.

“I have a confession,” said one guest. “I can’t stand Alanis Morissette,” to which a friend replied, “Well, she only has nice things to say about you.”

However, the evening’s best remark came from the woman who proudly proclaimed, “Ivanka Trump blocked my dog on Twitter.” ◆