NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 169
Don DeFosset, a Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center Foundation board member, and his
wife Jan were encore sponsors of this
year’s Broadway Ball.
Ernie Lisi and his wife Judy, president and
CEO of the Straz Center, welcomed guests to
the ball that helps so many wishes come true.
Charles and Faith “Cookie” Simmons were
patrons of the 2019 Broadway Ball that
featured cast members of the hit Broadway
musical Disney’s Aladdin.
Patsy and Gene McNichols sponsored
the dinner served at the ball and were on
the 2019 Broadway Ball committee.
Gene also is a Straz trustee.
Rita and Todd Wickner were members of
the ball committee and marquee sponsors of
this year’s Aladdin gala to benefit the Straz,
where Todd is a trustee.
Karen and Steven Mezer, Broadway Ball
sponsors, attended with their daughter
Amanda. Steven is a Straz trustee and
was a member of the ball committee.
Karen Sasso and her husband Gary Sasso, chair
of the Straz Center’s board of trustees and
member of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center Foundation’s board, were members of
the 2019 Broadway Ball committee.
Charlene and Mardy Gordon were
patrons of the ball and the high bidders in
the live auction for the Tony Awards
package to New York City.
Suzette and Monroe Berkman, major
donors to the Straz Center since it began,
were among the table sponsors of the
2019 Broadway Ball.