Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce its ICONS Gala Celebrating Raúl Esparza, held Sunday, Sept. 22 at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago at Water Tower Place, 160 E. Pearson St., broke all previous fundraising records for the ICONS Gala, raising more than $200,000. Directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber, music directed by Linda Madonia with associate music direction by Justin Kono, the event served as the kick-off to Porchlight’s 30th season and supported Porchlight’s mission of celebrating the past, present and future of music theatre through its artistic, educational and community programming. For more information on Porchlight’s 30th anniversary season go to PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.
The event began with the 200 attendees mixing and mingling with each other and the 2024 Luminary Award Recipients Michelle and Steve Cucchiaro and the 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza. This social hour allowed fans of Mr. Esparza to meet and chat with the Broadway and TV star. A specifically touching moment was when Mr. Esparza, who lived in Chicago, embraced some of his local connections including Deanna Dunagan, Marcie McVay, Sandy Shinner, Jerry Wilson and Dennis Zacek
Guests entered the ball room and were welcomed by Board Chair Gretchen Upholt saying, “Today we’ll honor two extraordinary and long-time champions of Porchlight, Steve Cucchiaro and board member, Michelle Cucchiaro. And as if that isn’t enough, we’ll also recognize and celebrate the spectacular career of our 2024 ICON, Broadway, film and television star Raúl Esparza.” Vice Chair Brandon John Harrington added, “Today we will be taking a look back with gratitude, as we look forward to Porchlight’s exciting future and the next 30 years.” They then introduced Artistic Director Michael Weber.
Weber encouraged the crowd to sit back and relax and enjoy the ICONS Gala and spoke to Porchlight’s past and the day’s events. He said, “Porchlight Music Theatre will continue to serve the community and be an arts institution at the forefront of what makes this city one of the greatest theatre meccas in the world. Throughout today’s program we’re honored to celebrate the extraordinary star of stage, screen and television Raúl Esparza with music from the Broadway shows that made him the ICON that we know and love.”
The first performance had Adrian Aguilar, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Ava Stovall and Keely Vasquez performing “Consider Yourself,” from Oliver!. Mr. Esparaza performed as “Fagin” in this “Oliver Twist” musical in 2023. Throughout the brunch, the band that performed included Linda Madonia (keyboard), Justin Kono (drums) and Eric von Holst (bass).
Weber then introduced Executive Director Jeannie Lukow for the presentation of the 2024 Luminary Award. Lukow, who stepped down as executive director at the end of September, was greeted with a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd. Lukow thanked the audience and began to introduce the 2024 Luminary Award recipients Michelle and Steve Cucchiaro. Lukow said, “These are truly two of the greatest humans one could ever meet. I know, I’ve spent many, many fun nights out to dinner with Michelle and Steve, and their interest in supporting the arts in Chicago is so impressive. They have been steadfast in advocating for Porchlight for well over a decade, but it doesn’t stop there. They are also longtime advocates for the entire theatre and film community here in Chicago.”
Michelle Cucchiaro thanked Porchlight for the honor and said she was proud to be on Porchlight’s Board and for being an ardent supporter. She specifically mentioned how impressed she was with Porchlight’s quarantine online offerings, “I was so grateful, as all of us were in our homes, that Porchlight provided so much content.” She also thanked Weber, Lukow and the Porchlight staff for all they do for Chicago theatre and beyond including mainstage performances, educational outreach, new series and community concerts.
Lukow then introduced Development Co-Chair and Porchlight Board Member Rhona Frazin and Porchlight Board Treasurer Todd Arp. Frazin thanked the sponsors and the Porchlight staff for making today possible, including 30th Anniversary Season Sponsors Elaine Cohen and Arlen Rubin and Brenda and James Grusecki. Arp said, referring to the 30th Anniversary sponsors, “Your pivotal support is invaluable in making Porchlight’s dreams a reality.”
Producing Artistic Associate Frankie Leo Bennett then narrated the next medley of performances highlighting Mr. Esparza’s expansive credits including songs from Grease, EVITA, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and others.
Weber returned to the stage with a glass of champagne in hand to toast three significant Porchlight events, Porchligt’s 30 years, Lukow’s 30 years of history with Porchlight and to the near future with Jenna Deja assuming the role of interim executive director. With this toast, Deja joined Weber on the stage adding, “During my interview process, when I was given the opportunity to meet the staff, I knew right then and there that this was a team I’d be honored to join Michael in leading. I’m delighted to meet all of you who have for years provided the financial backbone that has made Porchlight the artistically thrilling and fiscally responsible company that has been a leader in Chicago Theatre for the past three decades. I’m eager to get to work and humbled to be part of a company with a legacy like this.”
Porchlight Young Professionals Fundraising Chair Lisa Villani-Gale and its Chair Nate Groonwald hosted, with Greg Dellinger, the live auction portion of the day’s program which included stays in New York and Provincetown, a Porchlight VIP experience, a curated wine cellar and a dinner for eight at Porchlight supporter Rick and Deann Bayless’ home. Rick Bayless stood up and delighted the audience with a sneak preview of the dinner including the different courses that would reflect musicals with Weber on hand at the event to give background on each of the courses, and a tequila tasting featuring Don Julia Añejo Tequila.
The audience enjoyed a performance from Tick, Tick…BOOM! before Development Chair Pam Klier and Rick Bayless came to the mic to lead the paddle raising portion. Klier remarked, “We are now at a poignant moment, where YOU play a starring role in supporting Porchlight’s quality, artistry, diversity, vision and growth of Chicago’s music theatre by making a contribution.” During the paddle raiser, Bayless and Klier shared how each level offered different support to Porchlight. To thank donors, Bayless added that he would offer a shot of tequila to all donors who would like one.
The next entertaining medley before the presentation of the ICON Award to Mr. Esparza and WGN’s Paul Lisnek included songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George and others.
Weber presented the award to Mr. Esparza as the audience stood to show their appreciation. Mr. Esparza accepted the award and mentioned his start in Chicago after college and the invaluable relationships he made in this city and the experiences that he had with great Chicago companies. He also extolled that “musical theatre is one of America's greatest art forms. PERIOD.” He then thanked Porchlight for this “great gift” and encouraged the audience to continue making this art form work for everyone.
Mr. Esparza and WGN’s Paul Lisnek then sat for a captivating interview. Before they began, Lisnek requested shots from Rick Bayless, who quickly came to the stage to offer them a drink. Lisnek led the discussion, allowing Mr. Esparza to reflect on his time in Chicago, while living at Armitage and Sheffield, featuring stories that included Brian d’Arcy and Ora Jones as well as his experiences at Steppenwolf, Goodman and other theatres. He also gave insights into his experiences with Hal Prince during Evita and his long relationship with Stephen Sondheim, whom he called “the greatest composer of musical theatre we ever had.” When Lisnek asked about his dramatic roles like “Speed the Plow” and his recent “exciting” role in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Galileo, directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, Mr. Esparza said he forgot how difficult it is to do a musical, “musicals are the hardest things to do… to do eight shows a week … plays you can do with a cold, musicals you can’t.” Mr. Esparza also thanked his parents who were in attendance at the ICONS Gala and said they also love Chicago as much as he does. Lisnek thanked him again for his time and for coming to Chicago.
The interview will be available to ICONS Gala guests exclusively and then public viewing will be possible on Porchlight’s YouTube channel beginning Friday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. CST.
After the interview, Weber concluded the brunch thanking all who attended and encouraged them to continue to support Porchlight during its 30th season.
The ICONS Gala was launched in 2012 and many icons have been honored throughout its history including Hal Prince, Elaine Stritch, Bob Fosse, Ethel Merman and Fred Astaire among others. In 2020, the ICON Award was established to celebrate a notable artist who has made an indelible contribution to American entertainment and has since been presented to living legends Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, Donna McKechnie and Ben Vereen.
The Luminary Award is bestowed annually at the ICONS Gala. This honor recognizes an outstanding individual, family or family foundation with a history of philanthropic and volunteer leadership on behalf of Porchlight and music theatre in Chicago, and whose generosity inspires others to philanthropic action. Past honorees include Rick and Deann Bayless and the Bayless Family Foundation, Elaine Cohen and Arlen D. Rubin, Jim Jensen, Jean Klingenstein, Dan Ratner and the Ratner Family Foundation and Paul M. Lisnek.
The 2024 ICONS Gala is sponsored by Michelle & Steve Cucchiaro, Broadway In Chicago, Emily & Bob Carroll, Art Garwin, Rhona & Julian Frazin, Joe Higgins & Scott Hoesman, Chuck & Diane Laff, Mesirow, Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar and Bukiety Floral.
ABOUT RAÚL ESPARZA, 2024 ICON AWARD RECIPIENT
Raúl Esparza is an American stage and screen actor, recently starring as “Galileo Galilei” in Galileo in the dazzling world-premiere musical at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, helmed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and written by two-time Emmy winner Danny Strong (Dopesick, Empire, The Butler). A four-time Tony Award-nominee and three-time Drama Desk Award winner, his Broadway and notable theater credits include Company, tick, tick... BOOM!, Taboo, The Homecoming, Speed-the-Plow, Leap of Faith, Arcadia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show, Oliver!, Seared, Road Show, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Cymbeline, The Cradle Will Rock, Twelfth Night, The Normal Heart, Comedians, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Evita, The Waves and Chess. On TV and film, Esparza is best known for his work on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Hannibal,” “Murder at the End of the World,” “Candy,” “Dopesick,” “The Path,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Ferdinand,” “My Soul to Take” and Sidney Lumet’s “Find Me Guilty.”
In the immediate wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Esparza conceived of, executive produced and performed in the online concert event “Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration.” The concert received a special Drama League Award and is now preserved in the Library of Congress.
ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
Porchlight Music Theatre, entering its 30th season, is the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago. Through live performance, youth education and community outreach, we impact thousands of lives each season, bringing the magic of musicals to our theatre home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in the Gold Coast and to neighborhoods across the city. Porchlight has built a national reputation for boldly reimagining classic musicals, supporting new works and young performers, and showcasing Chicago’s most notable music theatre artists, all through the intimate and powerful theatrical lens of the “Chicago Style.”
Porchlight's history over nearly three decades includes more than 70 mainstage works with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres.
Porchlight's education and outreach programs serve schools, youth of all ages and skill levels and community organizations. Porchlight annually awards dozens of full scholarships and hundreds of free tickets to ensure accessibility and real engagement with this uniquely American art form.
The company’s many honors include 178 Joseph Jefferson Award (Jeff) nominations and 50 Jeff awards, as well as 44 Black Theatre Alliance (BTA) nominations and 15 BTA awards. In 2019, Porchlight graduated to the Large Theatre tier of the Equity Jeff Awards and has been honored with seven awards in this tier to date including Best Ensemble for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (2019) and Best Production-Revue for Blues in the Night (2022).
Through the global pandemic, Porchlight emerged as one of Chicago’s leaders in virtual programming, quickly launching a host of free offerings like Sondheim @ 90 Roundtables, Movie Musical Mondays, Porchlight by Request: Command Performances and WPMT: Classic Musicals from the Golden Age of Radio. In 2021, Porchlight launched its annual summer series, Broadway in your Backyard, performing at parks and venues throughout the city.
The 30th Anniversary Season is Sponsored By Elaine Cohen & Arlen Rubin and Brenda & Jim Grusecki.
Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from Actors’ Equity Foundation; Allstate; Comcast/Xfinity; Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation; Free for All; Glimpse Vision; James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation; Hearty Boys; the Pritzker Traubert Foundation; Ryan and Spaeth, Inc.; Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation; The Saints; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Service Club of Chicago and The Shubert Foundation.
The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
Porchlight Music Theatre wishes to thank members of the Matching Gift Corporate Program including Allstate; BDO; Google; Jackson National Life Insurance; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation and The Saints.
(L to R) Multi-award-winning stage, television and film actor Raúl Esparza accepts 2024 ICON Award at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza and WGN’s Paul Lisnek discuss Mr. Esparza’s remarkable contributions to music theatre at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Artistic Director Michael Weber, 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza and Interim Executive Director Jenna Deja at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Artistic Director Michael Weber, 2024 Luminary Award Recipients Steve and Michelle Cucchiaro, Executive Director Jeannie Lukow and Interim Executive Director Jenna Deja at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Marcie McVay, Dennis Zacek, Deanna Dunagan, 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza, Sandy Shinner, Jerry Wilson at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Porchlight Board Members Rhona Frazin and Todd Arp express their gratitude on behalf of Porchlight for all supporters of the event and the organization as a whole at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza with Luminary Award Recipients at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago || Back row: Jim Jensen, Rick Bayless and Deann Bayless || Front row: Jean Klingenstein, Elaine Cohen, 2024 ICON Award Recipient Raúl Esparza, Arlen Rubin and 2024 Luminary Award Recipients Michelle and Steve Cucchiaro || Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
L to R) 2021 Luminary Award Recipient and World Renowned Chef/Restaurateur Rick Bayless encourages support for Porchlight during the live auction at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Keely Vasquez, Ava Stovall, Juwon Tyrel Perry and Adrian Aguilar perform at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Porchlight Young Professionals Board Chair Nate Groonwald and Fundraising Chair Lisa Villani-Gale lead the live auction and paddle raise at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
(L to R) Ava Stovall, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Keely Vasquez and Adrian Aguilar perform at the ICONS GALA CELEBRATING RAÚL ESPARZA, the annual fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sept. 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson
PORCHLIGHT UPCOMING EVENTS ...
Monday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave.
Tickets: $45
Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St.
Tickets: $75 (includes a pre-show wine and cheese reception at 6:30PM)
Directed by Producing Artistic Associate Frankie Leo Bennett
Music Directed by Carolyn Jean Brady
Hosted by Adrian Aguilar
The popular New Faces Sing Broadway series returns in Porchlight’s 30th Anniversary Season. Chicago’s up-and-coming talent join Broadway’s Adrian Aguilar for a 90-minute revue of the hottest shows on Broadway today including Hell’s Kitchen, The Notebook, Death Becomes Her, The Outsiders and others as well as trivia contests with prizes.
January 16 – March 2, 2025
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel
Directed by Stephen Schellhardt
Music Directed by Heidi Joosten
Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Pulitzer finalist, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, emotional and revolutionary musical. Based on Alison Bechdel’s critically acclaimed graphic novel, Fun Home shares how Bechdel unlocks memories, milestones and mysteries of her youth as she begins to write her first graphic novel. With a compassionate score and a brilliant script, Fun Home tells the story of seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Chicago Premiere
Presented in association with Broadway In Chicago
March 25 – May 18, 2025
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St.
Co-Written by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue.
All aboard NYC’s must-sea musical comedy! When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning blockbuster film “Titanic,” you get Titanique, off-Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit, which turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia. Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog. Sailing on fierce powerhouse voices in show-stopping performances of such hits as “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself” and “To Love You More” – backed by the unparalleled energy of a full live band – Titanique is a one-of-a-kind theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart and campy chaos.
CHICAGO SINGS 30 YEARS OF PORCHLIGHT
Monday, May 12, 2025
House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Tickets: $75 – $175
The spring fundraising concert fittingly concludes the season with an unforgettable night of live performances commemorating 30 years of Porchlight with performances by Chicago theatre luminaries, the presentation of the 2025 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago and more.
Please note: Performances, actors and dates are subject to change.