This year's Gala of Grace for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) produced by Joanne Grant of Jade Production Group drew big crowds and laughs. Approximately 400 guests began the evening with a cocktail reception in the Velvet Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel located within Universal Orlando Resort. They then took executive coaches to the front-lot sound stages. The live auction and dinner for the charitable event took place at Sound Stage #33 at Universal Orlando. Event stylist Jerry Abercrombie of Entertaining Concepts transformed the black box stage into a sophisticated comedy club to showcase the talents of the sassy irreverent redheaded comedian Kathy Griffin, who headlined the entertainment. Abercrombie built a multilevel stage and created a backstage look at the comedy sketch show "Saturday Night Special."
The stage décor was a composition of theatrical elements, props and set-dressing creating a visual montage, that framed the talent. Costume pieces, wardrobe trunks and a free-form silk voile backdrop of the "Return to Respect" logo complemented Griffin's style, and provided props and a springboard for her "dissing" of the rich and famous. Abercrombie used 16' tall by five-inch-wide aluminum frame stage flats hung with two-inch Capiz Shells from the Philippines and large format digital caricatures of famous comedians to add scale and provide an exciting pallet for the club like lighting provided by Universal's Entertainment Department. Fourth Phase, a PRG Company, created kinetic energy using color scrollers located behind architectural panels on either side of the rear screens. Playing with light and the energy it creates, Abercrombie enlisted floral designer and manager Patrice Bullister of 1.800.Flowers to provide floral centerpieces. Clear contemporary glass vases each held a single stem flower. Roses, lilies, gerbera daisies and spider mums were placed within the five piece composition and colored water was added to each of the vases, which also contained the new battery operated water-proof Floralyte-Acolyte. Flickering votive candles completed the illusion of fire and water. Bob Ivey, Director of Catering at Universal Orlando, created exciting buffets appointed with architectural tabletop centerpieces. Cityscapes, film reels and Hollywood memorabilia added depth and texture to the Motion Picture themed buffets. Chef Steve Jason of Universal Orlando provided a menu that included no less than seven attended buffets, stir-fry stations and create-your-own pasta dishes prepared tableside. Money raised through this "Comedy Cabaret" by The Return To Respect Gala and Commercial Real Estate Women benefits women and children of spousal abuse, helping them rebuild their lives.
The stage décor was a composition of theatrical elements, props and set-dressing creating a visual montage, that framed the talent. Costume pieces, wardrobe trunks and a free-form silk voile backdrop of the "Return to Respect" logo complemented Griffin's style, and provided props and a springboard for her "dissing" of the rich and famous. Abercrombie used 16' tall by five-inch-wide aluminum frame stage flats hung with two-inch Capiz Shells from the Philippines and large format digital caricatures of famous comedians to add scale and provide an exciting pallet for the club like lighting provided by Universal's Entertainment Department. Fourth Phase, a PRG Company, created kinetic energy using color scrollers located behind architectural panels on either side of the rear screens. Playing with light and the energy it creates, Abercrombie enlisted floral designer and manager Patrice Bullister of 1.800.Flowers to provide floral centerpieces. Clear contemporary glass vases each held a single stem flower. Roses, lilies, gerbera daisies and spider mums were placed within the five piece composition and colored water was added to each of the vases, which also contained the new battery operated water-proof Floralyte-Acolyte. Flickering votive candles completed the illusion of fire and water. Bob Ivey, Director of Catering at Universal Orlando, created exciting buffets appointed with architectural tabletop centerpieces. Cityscapes, film reels and Hollywood memorabilia added depth and texture to the Motion Picture themed buffets. Chef Steve Jason of Universal Orlando provided a menu that included no less than seven attended buffets, stir-fry stations and create-your-own pasta dishes prepared tableside. Money raised through this "Comedy Cabaret" by The Return To Respect Gala and Commercial Real Estate Women benefits women and children of spousal abuse, helping them rebuild their lives.