The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh annual gala has morphed with the times, and in 2020 includes deliveries for ticket buyers as well as for families with food insecurities, along with a celebrity-packed virtual program that is free to the public.
Produced by Erich Bergen and his company, 6W Entertainment, the Great Night In Family Gala on June 14 will feature appearances by Steelers legend Franco Harris and the Pirates’ Josh Bell, and from the world of entertainment, Dormont native Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek’s” cinematic Spock among screen and Broadway roles); fellow Carnegie Mellon University alum and Tony Award-winner Patina Miller (“Pippin”; “Sister Act”); and Katherine McPhee, American Idol runner-up and star of TV’s “Smash” and “Waitress” on Broadway.
After the half-hour premiere of the Gala’s Silent Auction at 6 p.m. Sunday, the hour-long virtual program from 6:30-7:30 p.m. will celebrate the arts’ ability to get to the heart of issues facing Pittsburgh and the rest of the world today. The all-ages gala will be hosted by Seneca Valley High and Point Park University’s Conner John Gillooly, a star of Broadway’s “School of Rock.”
“I’m excited that we can provide an evening of entertainment, while also giving families a chance to connect with each other and talk about important issues,” said Jane Werner, executive director of the Children’s Museum nd MuseumLab. “There are so many talented artists with Pittsburgh roots and Pittsburgh connections. This event highlights how the arts can provide joy, creativity, and curiosity for children and families.”
Other celebrities making appearances include Corey Cott, who was cast as the lead of Broadway’s “Disney’s Newsies” right out of CMU and can be seen on FOX TV’s “Filthy Rich”; local singer Jackie Evancho: Jonas Rivera, an executive for Pixar ("Up"; "Inside Out"); Alvin Ailey dancer James Gilmer, a Pittsburgh native who trained at CAPA and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School; songwriter-producer Desmond Child; Montgomery Lamb, who played Katie in Broadway’s “School of Rock”; and more
Joining them will be Mo Willems, a six-time Emmy Award winner as a writer and animator on “Sesame Street” and a New York Times best-selling author, and French performer, illustrator and children's author Herve Tullet, who will showcase his talent — and help you with yours — for doodling.
Along with Bell and Harris, sports figures include a previous gala host, KDKA’s Bob Pompeani, and Point Park alum and Pirates coach Don Kelly.
The in-person 2020 Children’s Museum gala was initially to take place on June 6, but that day was given over instead to deliveries to 300 families with food insecurities, through partnerships with Providence Connections Family Support Center and Manchester Academic Charter Middle School and underwritten by PNC Bank.
Those families received the same meal boxes for four that 120 ticket-buyers and sponsors will receive Sunday, plus a bottle of Engine House 25 wine, prepared by North Side businesses: a meatballs and spaghetti dinner from Legends Eatery, bread from BreadWorks and cookies from Priory Fine Pastries.
All proceeds support the Children’s Museum and MuseumLab, neighborhood businesses and families in the North Side experiencing food insecurity. For the auction and other details visit www.greatnightgala.org
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: June 8, 2020, 5:56 p.m.
