Applause! Gala Grand Opening: A celebration of legacy and new beginnings 

By The Phoenix Theatre Company

Supporters, artists, and friends gathered for The Phoenix Theatre Company’s Applause! Gala: Grand Opening, marking the historic debut of the Dr. Stacie J. & Richard J Stephenson Theatre. The evening was a tribute to our past, a celebration of our present, and a bold step toward the next century of storytelling in Phoenix. 

Thank you to our 2025 Honorary Chair, Sally Pope, and honorees Michael Kruke, Jan and Tom Lewis, Catherine Tuton, Fred and Jami Pryor, Jeff and Nancy Werner, and Jay Franke and David Herro for the countless ways they uplift our community and help ensure a bright future for the arts. Click here to read the Applause! Gala playbill and learn more about these incredible advocates and artists involved. 

The Grand Opening Gala was only the beginning. As we embark on a new season, we invite you to stay connected and continue sharing in the joy of what’s to come. 

Download the pdf of this blog post here.