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A Giant Celebration Mason Custard Allen Custard Texans mix with thespians for Dallas Theater Center's big night. F Michael John LaChiusa Antay Bilgutay Kelsey Guy Kevin Moriarty BY CHRISTINA GEYER. PHOTOGRAPHY DANA DRIENSKY. irst it was author Edna Ferber. Then, actors Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean. More than 50 years later, our own Dallas Theater Center had its turn, bringing the epic Texas tale Giant to the Wyly Theatre stage. The musical piece itself — a co-production with The Public Theater in New York — required support in spades, from deep-pocketed donors to talented cast members. When the show finally took flight, its strongest 465 patrons gathered in a two-part black-tie celebration that was gigantic by all accounts. This was, after all, the grand finale topping off months of pre-gala affairs, with parties held at the residences of Bess and Ted Enloe and Lyn and John Muse. The moveable event began on Flora Don Street, where a two-lane trail of Bentleys Godwin and Benzes delivered arts supporters to the Wyly entrance. We spotted: chairmen Carmen Pilar Henry and Barbara Page, plus Godwin Ann Swisher and Michael McGehee, Jeanne Marie Clossey, Ann and Lee Hobson, Catherine and Will Rose, Diane and Hal Brierley, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, and Linda and Bill Custard. Giant campaign chairman Rebecca Fletcher said, "Everyone in the room has a sense of ownership of the work; they are seeing a play that they helped create." The show's standing ovation was just the beginning. Next, guests paraded to the Winspear Opera House for dinner and late-night dancing. "I think our little tunnel worked!" remarked an excited Fletcher postperformance. She was referring to the translucent tube that connected the Wyly to the Winspear, ensuring that chilly weather wouldn't dampen the eve. "If you remember, this time last year we were covered in snow," she laughed. Once inside the Winspear, it was a full-blown Texasstyle bash, with tables and buffets covering the first and second floors of the foyer and a dynamic 10-piece Margot Perot band that brought the likes of Deedie and Rusty Rose and Mason and Allen Custard to the dance floor. "I love a good party!" proclaimed DTC's artistic director Kevin Moriarty, who spent most of the evening touting his spot-on performers. "Everyone was eager for me to introduce them to members of the cast and answer questions about the creation of the show and its future life." As for Giant's vivacious prospects? The show debuts in NYC next at The Public Theater, a nonprofit company known for bringing prized musicals — Hair and the original A Chorus Line — to the Ross Perot bright lights of Broadway. It's looking like Giant may have quite a giant future, indeed. Nancy Jeff Johnson Melinda Obenchain Glen Davidson Deborah McMurray John Denman, Nancy Dedman Doug & Jennifer Houser "Money isn't everything, Jett." "Not when you've got it." — Leslie Benedict Phillip Taylor Jordan Sinclair — Jett Rink Jacquelin Sewell Taylor Rusty & Bill Duvall Laura Wilson Bess & Ted Enloe, Rebecca Fletcher Jon Page Chairman Barbara Page Betsy & Jim Sowell Mark & Susan Weinstein Francie Moody-Dahlberg & Kevin Dahlberg Perot Ruth Buzzi, Kent Perkins Jill Rowlett "Bick, you shoulda shot that fella a long time ago. Now he's too rich to kill." — Uncle Bawley talking about Jett Rink Allan & Lynn McBee, John & Marlene Sughrue Carolyn & Karl Rathjen APRIL | PAGE 12 | 2012 Ana & Don Carty Dan & Lizzie Routman Roger Horchow Missy & David Boone, Celia & Larry Schoenbrun