About Face Theatre ( AFT ) presented its annual fundraiser with a gaming theme, "The Gayme Show!," on May 9 at Macy's on State Street in its event center.
The LGBT community turned out in droves, wearing festive clothing and playing classic games to raise money while having fun on Plinko, putt-putt golfing, and Win, Lose or Draw.
With costumed characters like Phyllis Diller and Rip Taylor, many of this young troupe's members may have no idea who these classic performers are, but that didn't stop the hilarity as Diller cackled every five minutes and Taylor shot confetti onto guests.
Andrew Volkoff kicked off announcements by mentioning his first year of completion on the team as artistic director. Patricia Ewert accepted the Leppen Leadership Award for herself and her late wife Vernita Gray, who lost her battle with cancer recently. The organization Chicago House was also given the same award for the work done in its TransLife Center during the VIP reception.
Youth Task Force members were given plaques from Ali Hoefnagel, the education and outreach director, for taking leadership with youth.
There was a Vanna White-off, with three contestants competing and posing for a dinner gift certificate and a "$25 Pyramid" full of prizes.
Raffle items included a grocery cart full of Whole Food Market items delivered to the winner's door. There was also a scavenger hunt to win memberships for next season's shows.
The night closed with a live auction including a seven-day Mediterranean cruise for two and an Orbitz trip to Puerto Rico followed by DJ Swaguerrilla's tunes until late hours.
The host committee really put the "fun" back in fundraiser, creating an original theme while raking in a ton of money for About Face.
The event raised more than $75,000 for AFT.
Visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com for upcoming productions and events.
Text and photos by Jerry Nunn