The curtain rose once again on the Arizona Theatre Company’s Curtain Up! this month for the first time since 2002.

In honor of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the ATC celebrated the return of the event with a lavish New York-themed party. Chairs Zelda Faigen and Laura Green welcomed guests to the Herberger Theater Center and the Phoenix Convention Center where they were able to enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing.

The Standing Ovation Award, which will be given to the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, has only been given out by the ATC once before. It is awarded to an organization that goes above and beyond in supporting the ATC. This organization is being honored after making several contributions.

What would a New York celebration be without a little taste of Broadway? Tony-winning Broadway star Judy Kaye arrived back in her native Phoenix to perform a private concert for the event. After leaving Phoenix and the ATC to pursue a degree in acting from the University of California at Los Angeles, Kaye has performed in several hit Broadway shows including “Mamma Mia,” “Phantom of the Opera” (for which she won a Tony award) and “Sweeny Todd.”

The Arizona Theatre Company has been entertaining the Phoenix and Tucson areas since 1967. They pride themselves on keeping ticket prices reasonable so more of the public can enjoy their shows. This is why contributors like the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust have become so important in helping with operating costs for all the shows.

For the past few years, the organization has tried to do something a little different with their event, and they introduced Drama Queens on the Green, which have featured fashion shows including looks from Emmy Award-winning designer Randall Christensen. To change things up a little, they chose to go back to the Curtain Up! idea.

This year, the dinner had several food stations that featured different New York neighborhoods. The music of Katy and Company allowed guests to dance the night away. For those who weren’t the greatest dancers themselves, there was a live auction for a “Dancing With the Stars” package that included airfare to Los Angeles, front row seats to a taping of the show, luxury accommodations and a limo to and from the taping.

Next year, the organizers may go back to the Drama Queen idea. Whatever they choose to do, it’ll be a night to remember.