The Children's Theatre's 80th Birthday Party -- 550 celebrated 80 years of magic at The Jungle Book Family Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2004

CINCINNATI, OH — On Saturday, March 20, 2004, more than 550 guests gathered in their finest at the Taft Theatre for the 80th Anniversary of The Children's Theatre. The evening was a gala for children and adults. It began with a production of The Jungle Book, followed by a gigantic Birthday Party. The event raised $70,000 for The Children's Theatre.

This historic event honored three women instrumental in the existence of The Children's Theatre: Marge Marx, Betty Johnson and Suzanne Warrington. Through sponsorships and guest ticket sales, the committee for The Jungle Book Family Gala raised endowment funds for The Children's Theatre to keep it going for another 80 years!

The event began at 5 PM with a production of The Jungle Book in the Taft Theatre. Before the show began, City Council Member, John Cranley, presented Artistic Director, Jack Louiso, with an official proclamation from the City designating March 20, 2004 "The Children's Theatre Day” in Cincinnati.

The crowd then made its way to The Jungle Book Family Gala in the Scottish Rite Freemasons' Ballroom right next door to the Taft Theatre. The evening featured great buffets for children and adults by Elegant Fare, exciting activities included interactive dancing, games and crafts, a real snake charmer with live snakes, along with a special prize raffle featuring a Disney Cruise Line vacation package with airfare. The winning entry belonged to the Chunn family!

The Jungle Book Family Gala was presented by Miller-Valentine Group with support from Enerfab. Sponsors included: AAA Cincinnati, Cincinnati Bell, Cinergy, Federated Foundation, Merten Printing, and Jan Kiefhaber Design. Generous media support was provided by Cincinnati Magazine and LOCAL 12.

Two amazing women donated their considerable talents to facilitate this event: our co-chairs M.A. Rogers and Vicki Herche.

The Committee included: Kimberly Carlisle, Mary Farmer, Elizabeth Dale Grooms, Nancy Grote, Kathryn Harsh, Karen Hoguet, Jack Louiso, Susie Louiso, Skip Merten, Krista Pille, Mary Smithers, Maureen Sweeney, and Owen Wrassman.

Miller-Valentine Group offers expert services in the areas of Design/Build Construction, Development, Management, Brokerage, Leasing, and Financing, and has provided customers with space solutions of more than 50 million square feet in a variety of industries. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, Miller-Valentine also operates offices in Cincinnati, OH, Ft. Wayne, IN and Columbia, SC. Miller-Valentine Group's commitment to quality, value and service is reflected in its wide range of products, including office, retail, lodging, healthcare, multi-family residences, faith-based, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Miller-Valentine Group has been awarded the prestigious national “Developer of the Year Award" by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).

(from left to right) Vicki Herche, Co-Chair of The Children's Theatre's Jungle Book Family Gala, and member of The Children's Theatre's Board of Trustees; Jack Goodwin, Partner, Miller-Valentine Group – the Gala's Presenting Sponsor; and M.A. Rogers, Co-Chair of The Children's Theatre's Jungle Book Family Gala, and member of The Children's Theatre's Board of Trustees.		Jack Louiso, Artistic Director of The Children's Theatre, joins the Jungle Book Family Gala's honored guests, (from left) Marjorie Marx, Betty Johnson and Suzanne Warrington.
James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cinergy, enjoys The Children's Theatre's Jungle Book Family Gala with his granddaughter, Sara Rogers.		Melissa Skavlem and her daughter Vivianne, have fun on the dance floor at The Children's Theatre's Jungle Book Family Gala.
Ennye Kearney (left) and Erica Landry hit the dance floor for the "YMCA."		Snake Handler, Phil Dalton, introduces children to a python.
The children take over the dance floor at the Jungle Book Family Gala.		"Mad Hatter" Steve Jones delights Jazmond Tuggle with some balloon art.
Dancer Elizabeth Hartwell, who played Kaa the Rock Snake, and Ken Braso, who played Shere Kahn the Tiger, check out a real python.		(Left) Cincinnati City Council Member, John Cranley, presented Artistic Director, Jack Louiso, with an official proclamation from the City designating March 20, 2004 "The Children's Theatre Day" in Cincinnati.

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