We are thrilled to announce today that Broadway superstar Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton; Wicked; In the Heights; Sunset Boulevard) will be the featured musical performer of our annual Children’s Literacy Gala on Saturday, April 11 at 6:00 pm on our Tabor Stage.
Mandy Gonzalez is an accomplished film, TV, stage actor, and author. She possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. Mandy has starred on Broadway in the megahit
Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler. She also originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, In the Heights, for which Mandy received a Drama Desk Award. She starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, blowing the roof off New York’s Gershwin Theatre each night as she belted out the signature song, Defying Gravity. And she has most recently starred on Broadway as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.Mandy received an OBIE Award and overwhelming critical praise for her performance in the Off-Broadway production of
Eli’s Comin’.Mandy returned to Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops this past November with her new show
Everything I Know: Mandy Gonzalez Sings Lin-Manuel Miranda, which brings Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic catalogue to the symphony stage in a sweeping celebration of the songwriter whose melodies and storytelling have shaped a generation. She has performed with premiere orchestras nationwide, including the Boston Pops, Philly Pops, Cleveland Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Fort Worth Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Indianapolis Symphony, building a symphonic résumé as dynamic as her voice.On television, she has appeared in Madam Secretary, BULL, Quantico, and alongside Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in Only Murders in the Building. In film, she has appeared in Across the Universe directed by Julie Taymor, After starring opposite Pablo Schreiber, and Man on a Ledge with Sam Worthington. Mandy can also be heard as the voice of Mei in Disney’s Mulan 2, and as the voice of Mother Rose on the Disney Plus and Disney Jr. series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery.
Mandy is also the author of the Fearless young adult novel series (Simon & Schuster), which explores themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. She is the founder of #FearlessSquad, a movement for inclusiveness and positivity. Her writing on performance and bravery has been featured in Harvard Business Review, extending her impact beyond the stage.
All proceeds from the Gala will go toward our Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Fund and the Barbara B. Apperson Angel Fund: supporting a variety of Education and Outreach Programs for the coming year and making possible as many as 25,000 points of contact with children and participants of all ages in over 50 area schools, detention centers, and the Memphis V.A. Hospital.
The evening will begin with Open Bars and a Silent Auction throughout the theatre, followed by a fun buffet dinner with tables in our rehearsal and education halls.
On stage, we will announce the recipient of our fourth annual “Teacher of the Year” Award. And this year’s live auction will feature framed and signed throwback Grizz jerseys, as well as the Grizzlies Media Experience hosted by Pete Pranica in the TV truck and courtside during a game.
Mandy Gonzalez’s performance will follow, and she will stay for photos, autographs, and to speak with guests during dessert.
Gala attire is “festive” and business casual. Seating will be limited to 220 guests.
We annually work with children ages 5-18, primarily in Title 1 schools, as well as incarcerated youths and military Veterans in near-daily programming that develops students’ literacy, desire to read, and compassion. Those acclaimed programs include the Romeo and Juliet Project, the Macbeth Initiative, Feast of Crispian-South, Poetic Justice, and Juvenile Justice.
Platinum, Gold, and Silver tables (ranging from four to eight seats each) are available for purchase now by calling TSC’s Gala Coordinator Stephanie Shine at (901) 759-0604. Additional information about the sponsorships and evening is available here.
Guests may choose from three Sponsorship levels to secure a dining table and theatre seats:
PLATINUM 8-TICKET PACKAGE ($5,000)
- Eight of the best reserved seats in the theatre for the performance and Teacher of the Year Award ceremony;
- Reserved dining table with open bars;
- Recognition in TSC’s event program, posters, social media, and from the stage that night;
- Festive dinner buffet and dessert;
- Partial tax-deductible gift to TSC.
- Six of the “Second Best” seats in the theatre for the performance and Teacher of the Year Award ceremony, after above Sponsors;
- Reserved table for Sponsor and guests;
- Recognition in TSC’s event program, posters, social media, and from the stage that night;
- Festive dinner buffet, dessert, and multiple open bars;
- Partial tax-deductible gift to TSC.
- Four seats in the theatre for the performance and Teacher of the Year Award ceremony, after above Sponsors;
- Festive dinner buffet, dessert, and multiple open bars;
- Reserved table for Sponsor and guests;
- Partial tax-deductible gift to TSC.
Season 18 Sponsors
TSC’s generous sponsors of the 18th season, productions, and Education and Outreach Program include FedEx, ARTSmemphis, Tennessee Arts Commission, James R. Humphreys, Nancy R. Copp, Evans Petree PC, Pat and Ernest Kelly, J. Walker Sims and the Sims Family Charitable Trust, Kathryn and Jim Gilliland, Anne and Mike Keeney, Independent Bank, Pete Pranica, First Horizon Foundation through an ArtsFirst grant, AutoZone, the Dunbar Abston Fund for Sustainable Excellence, the Barbara B. Apperson Angel Fund, and the Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Fund. TSC’s season is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
