Redwood Library’s “Cabaret” Brings out Newport’s Social Elite

Editor's note: To see Newport Seen's photo coverage in Palm Beach's Shiny Sheet, go to

www.palmbeachdailynews.com/society/nuala-pell-honored-at-newports-redwood-library-and-846963.html

“What use is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play -
Life is a cabaret, old chum! So come to the cabaret.”

Cheryl Helms & Carolyn Dupont

On a balmy July evening, Newport’s beloved Redwood Library & Athenaeum hosted its annual summer fundraiser with an all Broadway, musical Cabaret theme for the fifth consecutive year. The event drew in 245 people, including such Newport societal luminaries as Ruth Buchanan, Helen Winslow, Angela Fischer, Elizabeth & Earl MacMillan, Jae & John French, John Redwood, descendant of the Library's founder, Trina Weschler and her daughter, Kit Weschler Williams, David Ford, Ruth Buchanan, and Noreen Drexel.

Toby Field, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Warburton

Library Director Cheryl Helms and Program Director Carolyn Dupont greeted guests, while Johnny Stokes, event ‘Producer,’ made sure that every detail was executed to perfection. Official Honoree of the night was Nuala Pell, former Redwood Board member, Nominating Committee chair, and wife of the late Senator Claiborne Pell. Much of Nuala’s extended family and the Pell contingent showed up to support her, including Nuala’s daughter Dallas Pell, daughter-in-law Genii Pell and grandson Clay Pell, niece Ellen Kiley, and brother Columbus O’Donnell, among others.

Bill Rives, Paul Herbert & Elaine Rosenburg

The night started with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres among the antique books and treasured historical portraits in the recently renovated library, then moved outside to a large tent on the freshly landscaped grounds. The tent glowed green inside with projected flower patterns, and table settings were also green, creating a refreshing, summery ambiance. Dinner even started with a light green gazpacho, followed by beef tenderloin. At 9:30, per the event’s playbill, “The Prince of Cabaret,” Steve Ross and the “glorious voice” of Anna Bergman took center stage and delighted attendees with the professionalism and sheer talent of their musical performances. Outside, the garden’s octagonal gazebo, designed in the eighteenth century by famed architect Peter Harrison, glowed a lovely purple in its surrounding spotlights.

Sydnor & Noel Settle, Dottie & Edwin Sheffield

In a town where most non-profit organizations tend to endlessly innovate or cycle through different themes for their summer fundraisers each year, the Redwood seems to have happily found its “niche”: live dinner entertainment with a Broadway flair. With the success of this year’s event and turnout, we wouldn’t be surprised if the trend continued for some time to come!

From the Redwood’s website: “The Redwood Library and Athenæum is the oldest lending library in America, and the oldest library building in continuous use in the country. Founded in 1747 by forty-six proprietors upon the principle of ‘having nothing in view but the good of mankind,’ its mission continues over 250 years later.”

- by Amanda M. Grosvenor