About Kate Benz

Kate Benz 412-380-8515
Fanfare Columnist
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Kate Benz is the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Fanfare columnist.

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Friday - May 24, 2013

Lifestyles Photo Galleries

Retailers cash in on the ’stache craze, as its popularity regrows

There appears to be nothing quite as lovely as the sweet taste of success. Unless, of course, it's sprinkled with just a hint of good-humored revenge.

“I'm so happy to be back in Pittsburgh tonight,” confessed NBC's “Smash” starlet Megan Hilty as she took center stage at the Benedum Center for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Gala. “You know, I got to do so many great things while I was a student at CMU ... but I never once got to perform on this stage until tonight. In fact, I had sent the CLO (Civic Light Opera) my tape, but they never called me back. I hear (executive producer) Van Kaplan's in the room tonight. ... We'll talk later!”

Water under the bridge as the blond bombshell, made famous by her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked,” sung her heart out to a crowd of 460 VIPs that included PCT prez Kevin McMahon, founding prexy Carol Brown, co-chairs Rich and Scheryl Harshman, interim board co-chairs Carolyn Duronio and Charles Queenan Jr., Grant Oliphant, Milt and Nancy Washington, Eva Tansky Blum, William and Pride Winken-werder, Catherine Loevner, Bob and Jane Krizner, Joe and Lynn Smith, Ralph and Ruth Anne Papa, Richard Rauh and Renee Williams, Lou and Veronica Guarino, and Harris and Janet Ferris.

Prior to the exchanging of friendly fire, guests were enjoying a tented cocktail hour across the street from the Benedum, where a burst of pyrotechnics from the marquee replaced the oh-so-standard dinner bell. Inside, tables set onstage were quickly attended to by the Duquesne Club, leaving no whim unattended to.

Centerpieces in the shape of birthday cakes served as a nod to the evening's other shining star, one that's growing ever more beautiful with age: Saturday's soiree signaled the 25th anniversary of the opening of our beloved Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.

By eve's end, the event had raised $575K.

1. Locke, Pirates power past Brewers, 5-2
2. Pirates notebook: Cutter a boon for Melancon
3. Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
4. Outdoor notices: May 25, 2013
5. Thousands walk, run last mile of marathon
6. Penguins rout Senators, return to Eastern Conference final
7. Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
8. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
9. Pitt awaits NCAA Tournament fate after loss to Notre Dame in Big East baseball
10. State champion 400 relay highlights girls team title for Hempfield
11. Pipeline project creates unease in Westmoreland County

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