HOUSTON – The Theatre Under The Stars Lights Up Gala revved up the flux capacitor and took over 450 Houston musical theatre enthusiasts Back to the Future for a night of electrifying, theatrical entertainment, raising over $750,000. Held on Friday, Nov. 7, at The Post Oak Hotel, the evening celebrated the transformative power of musical theatre and arts education, for a memorable night of entertainment, inspiration, and generosity. The Back to the Future: The Musical themed event was chaired by April & Wells McGee. Proceeds from the evening support the productions and education programs of Theatre Under The Stars.
Broadway’s Jeremy Jordan engaged the audience with a thrilling performance alongside talented students from the TUTS Education Academy Company and Performance Troupes.
The Tony® and Grammy® nominated actor sang “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, “Broadway Here I Come” from “Smash,” a love song medley<> and “Santa Fe” from Disney’s Newsies.
As guests entered the reception, they were greeted by a 1980s extravaganza with an authentic DeLorean provided by Andi & Peter Holt as the centerpiece. The Back to the Future experience continued in the ballroom with décor inspired by the 1950s Under the Sea theme provided by Regina Gust Designs and extravagant florals from Walker Chauncey.
Houston favorite and one of the stars of the TUTS upcoming production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Courtney Markowitz, served as emcee for the evening chatting with the crowd before introducing Board chair John Tobola, TUTS Executive Director Hillary Hart and TUTS Artistic Director Dan Knechtges.
“For nearly sixty years, Theatre Under The Stars has invited Houston to dream big through song and story. But our greatest legacy lies ahead,” said Hart.
The culinary delights of the evening featured a sophisticated menu, including The Post Oak’s signature Bloom & Bee salad, hibiscus-glazed short rib, and a choice between Mastro’s famous butter cake or vanilla chocolate rocher for dessert.
Auctioneer Devon Chen of Astounding Auctions energized the crowd during the live auction, where standout items included an emerald and diamond cocktail ring from Valobra Jewelers, walk-on roles for the upcoming TUTS productions of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and a trip to the 2026 Tony Awards including a custom gown from David Peck. The donation drive alone raised over $120,000. Major event donors included Margaret Alkek Williams, Demetra & Frank Jones, Greenberg Traurig, and John Tobola & Dolores Cavatore.
The evening concluded with a lively after party featuring DJ Druw, who kept guests dancing late into the night. Attendees were joined by local actors including Gemini Quintos, Courtney Markowitz, Marco Camacho, Holland Vavra and Brooke Wilson and treated to Houston’s Bootleg Betties taking 80s-style Polaroids.
Notable guests included: April, Wells, and Amanda McGee, Flo McGee and Wade Upton, Amy and Rob Pierce, John Tobola and Dolores Cavatore, Demetra and Frank Jones, Vanessa Ames, Jay Sears and Chau Nguyen, Elaine and Jim Turner, Elaine Balagia Croucher and Brant Croucher, Ernie Manouse and Walt Zipprian, Brandon Borque and Derrick Shore, Councilperson Mario Castillo and Joel Rottier, Kristen Cannon, Jessika and Jeff Smith, Daniel Turner and Jay Landa, Patrice Baumann McKinney and Pete McKinney, Alice and Dr. Matt Brams, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Sig and Patricia Cornelius, June Deadrick, Sarah and Scott Irby, David Gow, Marris and Rob Goldberg, Dr. Lisa Graham Garza, Jack Dermer, MaryAnne and Greg Hebrank, April and Nick Hiemstra, Anne Neeson and Craig Janies, Ashley and Paul Kilday, Shawnie and Paul McBride, Suzanne Reyes and Rob Scheinerman, Monica and Michael Sigmon, Vicki and Adam Valentine, Andi and Peter Holt.
