Muses' 'My Fair Lady' luncheon at the McCallum raises money for education

Marge Dodge
·2 min read

The fair ladies of the Muses & Patroness Circle of the McCallum Theatre enjoyed a "loverly" afternoon at the annual On Stage Birthday Luncheon, held April 25 at the McCallum Theatre. Attendees attire mimicked Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" with elaborate hats and exquisite dresses.

As members entered the theater they were greeted by carts of flowers, reminiscent of flower girl Doolittle. After a champagne reception in the lobby, members were ushered to seats in the theater and greeted by luncheon chairs June Benson and Jaishri Mehta, who thanked committee members and greeted new Muses.

Muses president Diane Dykema welcomed members to the annual meeting and introduced the nominating committee chair. Karen Ackland, who delivered the 2024-25 slate of officers. Dykema congratulated the new board and thanked the McCallum staff for their tireless work.

Dykema was joined on stage for the presentation of the Muses annual donation to the theater by chair of the McCallum Theatre Board of Trustees Garry Kief, Chief Financial Officer and Interim President Robert McConnaughy, Vice President of Education Kajsa Thuresson-Frary and fundraising chairs Rosalind Hack and Victoria Bridges.

Kajsa Thuresson-Frary, Carlyn Stonehill, Robert McConnaughey attend the "My Fair Lady" On Stage Birthday Luncheon, held April 25, 2024.
Kajsa Thuresson-Frary, Carlyn Stonehill, Robert McConnaughey attend the "My Fair Lady" On Stage Birthday Luncheon, held April 25, 2024.

To the delight of the audience the donation was in the amount of $755,000, the largest in recent history, all of which will go directly to support McCallum Theatre Education department. The McCallum Theatre Education Program serves more than 50,000 students and educators annually through innovative, life-changing in-person and virtual programming in theater, dance, music and visual arts at no cost to the students.

The audience enjoyed a medley of songs from "My Fair Lady," presented by Open Call grand prize winner of 2022 Alisha Bates and Issac Tollette. They were joined by 2024 Open Call finalist the Palm Desert High School Varsity Singers. McCallum Theatre musical director Paul Cracchiolo accompanied the vocalists.

As the performers took a final bow, the curtain rose to reveal tables clothed in pink linen with centerpieces of pink roses and a parasol — a nod to Audrey Hepburn's parasol in the 1964 award-winning movie. Members made their way to the stage and were seated for a delicious entree of curry chicken salad served in papaya with diced chicken, celery, sliced grapes, scallions, dried cranberry and agave curry dressing. Coconut banana bombs accompanied the entrée and wine was provided by Muses past presidents. Dessert was a lemon raspberry bonnet with berries and strawberry sauce. The hat shaped dessert was a tasty work of art.

Luncheon co-chairs Jaishri Mehta and June Benson pose at the "My Fair Lady" On Stage Birthday Luncheon, held April 25, 2024.
Luncheon co-chairs Jaishri Mehta and June Benson pose at the "My Fair Lady" On Stage Birthday Luncheon, held April 25, 2024.

It was a truly "loverly" afternoon.

For membership information visit www3.mccallumtheatre.com/index.php/muses and click on "Muses" or call Annual Membership Manager Dustin Engstrom at (760) 776-6179.

Marge Dodge serves on several local nonprofit boards supporting her passions of education, literacy and the arts.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: McCallum Muses' 'My Fair Lady' luncheon raises money for education