Chicago Sun-Times:

Steppenwolf Theatre is a launching pad for actors and actresses hungry for the stage and spotlight. And as the large turnout of famous alums at the theater’s yearly gala indicates, they don’t forget where they came from. Famous ensemble members including Ian Barford, Gary Cole, Tina Landau, Laurie Metcalf, William Petersen (of “CSI” fame and the star of “Endgame,” the company’s current production), Martha Plimpton and theater co-founders Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise joined the almost 600 invited guests for an evening of celebration, dinner and entertainment.

A first for the gala, planners decided to move the party from its normal tented spot nestled between the buildings on the Steppenwolf grounds to the nearby Blackhawk on Halsted (a raw industrial space at 1460 N. Halsted). Gala co-chair Sarah Beardsley cited the expense of the tent as the main reason for the move, but said it offered the chance to “showcase the community in which the theater operates.” Beardsley, who shared chair duties with Janet Melk and David Kalt, also praised event designer Bill Heffernan’s incredible transformation of the bare venue, complete with natural elements (think towering tree branch centerpieces) and metallic accents. All were set against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline, which was visible through the building’s impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.

With the 2008 Pulitzer Prize win by ensemble memberTracy Letts (who was not in attendance) and John Michael Hill’s recent Tony Award nomination, those close to the theater feel a sense of momentum that they credit with drawing the ever-elusive and oft-sought-after younger demographic to the plays and events. Conroy commented, “Steppenwolf has always been known as an actors’ theater, but with the recent success of plays like “August: Osage County” and “Superior Donuts,” Steppenwolf has also garnered international attention for its development of new work and new artists.”

Young and hip, partygoers enjoyed a elegant four-course sirloin dinner before auctioneer Michael Hart took to the stage to hawk six entertainment-themed packages. The top prize, worth an estimated $26,000: a “CSI: NY” vacation complete with a tour of the show’s set, first-class airfare and lux accommodations in Los Angeles and a chance to rub shoulders with the cast and crew of the CBS crime drama at the CSI: NY Midseason Bash. The underbidder got a piece of the action when Sinise (who stars on the program and donated the prize) offered to split the package and sell a second for $25,000. Tickets to the exclusive event went for $1,000 each, and more than $1 million was raised to benefit Steppenwolf’s community and theatrical programming.

Ending the evening on a rocking high note was the Lt. Dan Band (fronted by Sinise), who played for the eager crowd a mix of bluesy favorites and rock standards. Guests were drawn from their dinner seats to the dance floor or to lounge areas near the stage to enjoy the show (and bottles of Grey Goose, conveniently placed on the tables with ice and mixers for a create-your-own cocktail experience). The festivities went into the early hours of the morning and guests filed out into the chilly spring night around 1 a.m. Bottle service and late-night rock shows? It certainly seems as if Steppenwolf is speaking the kids’ (or the kids at heart’s) language.

A giant teeter-totter, lush lawns with blooming daisies, spiked lemonade and rope swings straight out of playground memories greeted the guests of Saturday’s “Art Edge” gala to benefit the MCA, held at the off-the-beaten path space Venue One. However, the party turned reminiscent of college when partygoers exited elevators after dinner and were faced with the same room, redone with empty PBR cans littering the grass, band posters plastered to the walls, vodka shots being poured from skull-shaped bottles and a performance from Camp Freddy, a hard-rocking cover band fronted by many a mid-’90s college girl’s crush Dave Navarro.

The casual-chic event (Penny Pritzker was spotted in a cute jean jacket) was full of surprises and whimsy, all the way down to the creative dinner menu. In a perfect juxtaposition of the elegant and mundane (much like the event), guests started with caviar, smoked salmon, hard-boiled quail eggs and brioche points for the appetizer, followed by a Kobe beef burger stuffed with truffles and short rib for the entree. For one final throwback, servers were on hand to spin cotton candy for dessert, which guests quickly gobbled up.

High-profile MCA donors Susan and Lew Manilow were spotted among the 500 guests, and Desiree Rogers (who is decidedly back on the Chicago society scene) sported a flowing white cotton dress and sky-high heels for the party.

Following dinner, partygoers were given earplugs (which they needed) in preparation for the set byCamp Freddy. The group includes Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Brandon Boyd of Incubus, who played a set of classics including “Highway to Hell” and “Rebel Yell.” Much to everyone’s surprise, unannounced special guest Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders fame took the stage to sing two songs, to great applause.

The event (chaired by Cari Sacks) raised more than $700,000 for the MCA and its programming. Tickets were $500 per guest.