As the first major event at the just-opened Ritz-Carlton Toronto, the March 10 Canadian Stage Theatre Ball highlighted the opulent new space while incorporating the 23rd annual gala's Notte Italiana theme.
Inspired by the theatre's Spotlight on Italy festival, the classic-meets-modern Italian theme was reflected in decor touches throughout the space, from black-and-white stills of Federico Fellini films displayed on flat-screen TVs, to lush red feathers in oversize martini glasses that served as centerpieces.
"Our idea was to take classic Italian design elements and to combine them with a more modern, contemporary design," said Katie Mills, corporate and special projects officer at Canadian Stage.
A clarinet player and accordionist played Fellini soundtracks and other Italian music throughout the cocktail hour and silent auction, while DJ Bellosound entertained with Italian and European-style music during the four-course dinner. Elsewhere, five actors took on the role of Fellini-esque characters, donning vintage costumes and Italian accents and chatting up guests around the room.
To showcase the space, decor was kept minimal.
"One big feature of the Ritz is the floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning views as soon as guests walk in," Mills said. "We didn't want to block that with any huge decor elements, so we hung these four- and six- foot orb-shaped balloons that made people look up and really take in the space."
Inside the ballroom, illuminated white stars hung above the dinner tables, accompanied by a few gold stars that matched the room's existing red and gold decor. The gala raised $300,000 a crowd of 400 guests, which included filmmaker Atom Egoyan, artist Charles Pachter, and Theatre Ball chair Patrick Keeley.