Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Jan 2010: Operation SugarCube

By Sandra Meineke

The Lakeview Auditorium, Sugar Land’s
oldest public building, needs rescuing, and the city knows just the man to do it. He ’s former mayor David Wallace, now President of the United States Wallace. At least, that ’s the way the story goes in “Operation SugarCube,” an original play premiering at the annual Founders’ Ball held by the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation on Jan. 9 at Safari Texas.

Established by local dignitaries for the specific purpose of restoring the auditorium for use as a performing arts center in the heart of Sugar Land, the SLCAF has ratcheted up the entertainment value of its eighth annual ball by casting community leaders in starring roles at the fundraiser. “The laughter and energy of the entertainment is one of the evening’s

highlights, so it is exciting to come up with something bigger and better year after year, ” said Donna Hine, SLCAF’s executive director.

The evening’s theme is “Taking the Stage,” and local celebrities will do just that. In addition to Wallace, “Operation SugarCube” stars 20 of Fort Bend’s most famous, some of which include County Commissioner James Patterson, County Judge Bob Hebert, Sheriff Milton Wright, Mayor James Thompson, Chamber President Louis Garvin, Dee Koch of the George Foundation and realtor Lizz Sansone, to name just a few.

The play was written by Cornelia Jones-Post with input from Rosemary Ruths and members of the Founders ’ Ball committee. It takes place at a local beauty salon where everyone is getting “prettied up” for the big secret coming to Sugar Land—President David Wallace arrives from the White House to bring a bailout package to Lakeview Auditorium so that it can get completely renovated and up and running as a performing arts venue. Rehearsals for the play began in November, and if the rehearsals are any indication, the Ball will offer a rip-roaring good time to attendees. Plus, it ’s all for a good cause.

“The evening’s entertainment is a reminder of what the

event proceeds will bring to the Sugar Land area—a diverse mix of local, regional and national talent to the restored 1918 Lakeview Auditorium, ” said Jean Goff, gala chair.

In addition to the entertainment, some exciting auction items will be available to the highest bidders. They include: dinner for 10 with Sugar Land city council, a Colorado getaway, a 3-hour Galveston Bay sail, a Palm Desert Condo package and a San Antonio golf getaway.

Tickets are still available for the ball and gala by contacting Donna Hine at 281-898-4518 or donna@slcaf.org. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Interior restoration of the auditorium is complete with a few exceptions that will be included in Phase 2 of the restoration project. Phase 2a will create a backstage addition including dressing rooms, performer restrooms, green room, loading dock and storage rooms. It will also provide a new roof, refurbished windows and doors and exterior lighting. The historic rooftop balustrade will be completed as part of Phase 2a if budget allows. Phase 2b will recreate the historic feature of the pergola (covered walkway) plus patron restrooms created as the historical “Classroom 1 building.” Construction is expected to begin in the spring. For more information on the auditorium, go to www.slcaf.org.