Metro Theater Company’s After Dark Gala

In early June, Metro Theater Company hosted its first in-person gala since 2019 at Palladium Saint Louis, closing out the 49th season and ushering in the 50th. During the gala, emceed by Jasmine Huda of local TV station FOX-2, guests were treated to a live musical performances by the cast of “Last Stop on Market Street,” a sneak preview of “Spells of the Sea” and a keynote address from author Matt de la Peña. Proceeds from the event benefit Metro Theater Company’s educational programs, productions and more. Co-chairing the gala were Jane and Ken Jones and Marcia Kerz.

“After Dark 2022 was a magical evening!” artistic director Julia Flood and managing director Joe Gfaller say in a joint statement. “As the first fully in-person gala since the pandemic began, it was so special to have amazing support from MTC’s gala chairs, MTC’s board of directors and all of our guests – not to mention a truly inspirational keynote from New York Times bestselling author Matt de la Peña and a first look at the world premiere of ‘Spells of the Sea’ from composer Gwenny Govea. We extend our enormous thanks to the community for its continued support of Metro Theater Company as St. Louis’ premier professional theater for youth and families.”