The Warman Trio consists of, from left, the father, Rick; the elder daughter, Presley Jewell, on bass (literally!); and younger daughter, Jessica Faith, on drums.
The props, the music, and the setting were perfect this past Saturday night for a terrifically over-the-top party. Of course they were. The fun folks from the Theatre Department at the University of Tennessee were the hosts!
The location? The brand new Jenny Boyd Theatre where the partygoers took over first the outdoor plaza and then the stage itself for their festivities. And, boy, was it fun!
The $250-per-plate event called “Dinner with Friends” featured a 1950s theme, which was a nod to the founding in 1951 of the Carousel Theatre, the predecessor to the Jenny Boyd Theatre. The evening started with appetizers and drinks under a tent between the Clarence Brown Theatre and the Jenny Boyd Theatre. Servers dressed as carhops distributed ’50s-era treats like sausage balls, Pigs in the Blanket, and deviled eggs.
Inside, we had burgers and fries in plastic baskets like at the drive-in in the good ole days. Dessert was a sundae ice cream bar.
But the best thing of all — other than seeing everyone having fun — was the music. A father-daughter band called The Warman Trio from Sevier County played 1950s tunes and encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor. (Not that it took that much encouragement with this crowd!)
Anyway, it was a real good time.
Here’s the setting as folks were were approaching from the parking garage at the Humanities Building on campus. The Jenny Boyd Theatre is to left, the Clarence Brown Theatre is in the back of the huge tent.
There was a classic microphone on the check-in table and name tags that looked like old-fashioned diner signs.
Sebastian approached with big sausage balls.
We spotted our friends Margie Nichols Gill, left, and Wendy Wortham in poodle skirts!
We saw a lot of leather jackets, too! Here are Susan and Kent Farris.
My husband, Alan Carmichael, had a great idea for a nod to the 50s. He put a pack of Lucky Strikes in his pocket!
Here’s Jo with Pigs in the Blanket.
Great seeing our friends Lt. Gov. Randy and Janice McNally.
From left, Gyovanni Boston-Crompton, Denzel Dejournette, Izaiah Ramirez, Kat Lee, Nash Tetterton, Sammy Pontello, and Anquanizia Hall.
The cocktail tables were decorated with classic toys and other items.
Steve Drevik and Lee Ann Rogers at check-in.
Ted Flickinger and Julie Howard looked cute. Believe it or not, that’s actually his old football jersey from Maryville High School!
Theater students Dylan Tillery and Elizabeth Dupuy. (We went to New York City with them last year on Clarence Brown Theatre’s annual trek up there.)
A cute mother-daughter: Betty, left, and Laurie Craig. Love the glasses.
Melanie and John Cherry.
Talented folks! The servers showing off some of their dance moves — while holding trays!
Deviled eggs, anyone?
Did you know that in 1955, the average cost of a new house was $10,950; a new car was $2,100; and a gallon of gas cost 29 cents? (Of course the average annual income was $4,400!)
Looking good! From left, Melanie Wood, Robin Turner, Susan Hyde, Susan Farris, Margie Nichols Gill, Wendy Wortham, and Maribeth Ergan.
Julia and Ken Martin. He’s head of the UT Theatre Department.
Sara Phillips and Jim Grossen.
Hula hoops came out!
From left, Tori Niemiec, Joe Payne, and Chance Beck.
Chris Deatherage, left, and Nathan Reeves.
Emily and Matthew Scheuneman.
In the lobby of the new theater were some more picture-taking opportunities. From left: Katie Diamond, Terry Weber, Jeni Lamm, Jed Diamond, Susan Creswell, Tom Cervone, and Zack Fine.
John and Delores Sorey, left, with Kent and Susan Farris.
Georgiana Vines, right, with her daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Mitch Stott.
From left, Neno Russell, Misty Anderson, Mindy Cooper, and Alexander Waters.
Tara Halstead.
Terry and Linda Tyler.
Time to go inside and onto the brand new stage!
Where our place mats looked like record albums! (That’s my cigar box purse.)
A better look at Ted Flickinger’s football jersey.
Welcoming remarks from the Department of Theatre Managing Director Tom Cervone, left, and Artistic Director and Department Head Ken Martin.
And then, dinner was served!
The condiments on the tables looked just like those in a diner! (Sorry about the lighting.)
And The Warman Trio! They are so much fun!
Katie and Jed Diamond dancing at their seats.
And then the dance floor got crowded!
Yep.
And a Conga line broke out!
Margie and John Gill having a slow dance.
Julie Howard and Ted Flickinger.
Julia and Ken Martin.
Gyovanni Boston-Crompton and Denzel Dejournette. Here’s some inside scoop: Look for him next year playing the lead in the production of “The Royale” at the Jenny Boyd Theatre. The public’s first chance to see a show there will be in February when “Cabaret” opens.
We said goodbye to Devan and David Alley on our way out. David is a long-time actor and professor in the Department of Theatre.
What a fun night!
You captured the evening well per usual. The party was lots of fun!
Georgiana: Thanks! I agree, it was a blast! Going to be hard to top!