Moorestown Theater Fundraiser Goes Big for 10th Anniversary

This being Moorestown Theater Company’s (MTC) 10th anniversary, it makes sense that they’d go big for their annual fundraiser.

Now in its fourth year, the theater company’s Extrava-Gala dinner-dance—affectionately referred to as the MTC prom—has naturally grown each year, in terms of both attendance and dollars. This year, producing artistic director and MTC founder Mark Morgan said they’re going bigger than ever to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

The dinner-dance has become known for its cabarets, with performances from past and future MTC shows. For this year’s Extrava-Gala, Morgan said MTC performers will take part in a “greatest hits” cabaret, singing and strutting their stuff to songs from each of the company’s Main Stage shows from the last 10 years, plus three from its Second Stage productions, including Annie, 42nd Street, Footloose, Guys and Dolls and many more.

He said they’re shooting for around 200 attendees and the company’s fundraising goal this year is $35,000, after hauls of roughly $25,000 the last two years.

“(The Extrava-Gala) is vital on several fronts. It’s certainly vital financially,” Morgan said. “These shows don’t just happen. There’s a lot that goes into making them happen.”

He said the event also helps the theater company on a social level. Putting together the multitude of shows MTC puts on annually can be stressful, so it’s nice to “have a night to celebrate and just have fun … We have people that we have to kick off the dance floor. They hate leaving.”

Channel 6ABC news anchor Rick Williams, a Moorestown resident and frequent MTC performer, will emcee the event at Riverton Country Club for the fourth year in a row.

Williams, who is also on the theater company board, said it’s his job to “keep the party going,” and he’s happy to do it.

He and his wife have each performed in seven shows, while his 10-year-old son has starred in more than twice that.

“There’s a strong connection there, not just because of the friends we’ve made (at MTC), but because our son has kind of come out of his shell,” Williams said. “His self-esteem, I’ve seen, has just blossomed.”

The Extrava-Gala will also feature a live auction.

Tickets are $150 and include the dinner-dance and auction, as well as a VIP reception at the beginning of the evening. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Riverton Country Club and goes until midnight.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Moorestown Theater Company website.