Former ambassador hosts fundraiser for Winnpesaukee Playhouse

MEREDITH — The Winnipesaukee Playhouse Capital Campaign received a boost at an event at the Lemongrass Restaurant and Sake Bar in Moultonborough, hosted by area residents former Ambassador to China Paul Speltz and his wife, Renee Speltz, who is a member of the playhouse board of directors.

Speltz said “It is a privilege to be associated with a dedicated and professional group of people who seek to promote, educate and afford excellent performance art in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.”

Brady Lynch, who stars in the current Playhouse production of "Gigi", belted out familiar show tunes that made the audience smile. She was accompanied on the keyboard by Samantha Prindiville, music and movement instructor for the playhouse summer camp program. Lynch is headed to New York to pursue her dreams of Broadway at the end of the summer season.

Guests included enthusiastic supporters of the theatre who are familiar with the high quality and broad range of productions that are offered. Barbara Zeckhausen, Capital Campaign Chair, and Barbara Morgenstern updated guests on the progress of the building of the Theatre Arts Campus on the former Annalee Doll property.

With the exception of the mainstage theatre, all the activities – rehearsals, summer camp, adult and young people workshops, costume, set building and painting and props, are already based on the Meredith campus in an idyllic setting that includes nature trails, a covered bridge and an amphitheatre.

The Capital Campaign committee had set a summer goal of having 500 donor contributions and is halfway to that goal.

Executive Director Bryan Halperin is on hand to give tours of the Theatre Arts Campus on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. and on Friday mornings at 10:30 a.m. throughout the summer.

Lemongrass owner Uraiwan Srisuksai and Chef Lucky contributed to the fund by donating an Asian dinner enjoyed by the guests.

CAPTION

Ambassador Paul Speltz, intern Luke Anneser, and Ray Burton, Governor's Executive Councilor, at a fundraising event for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse at the Lemongrass restaurant in Moultonborough. (Courtesy photo)