The ICONS Gala
The ICONS Gala:
Celebrating Alan Menken
October 4, 2026
11AM
At Venue West (221 N Paulina St.)
Honorary Co-Chairs
Felicia P. Fields and Anthony Rapp
Co-Chairs
Michelle & Steve Cucchiaro and Genevieve Thiers & Dan Ratner
Each year, we honor an artist whose work has left a lasting mark on American music theatre—visionaries who have shaped the industry and inspired generations.
Join us on October 4, 2026 at Venue West as we celebrate the career of multi-award winning composer ALAN MENKEN (Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, and so many more) as our 2026 Icon Award recipient. Enjoy a brunch celebration featuring musical performances from Alan’s iconic catalogue by Porchlight favorites, plus, we will honor Tamara & Jay Sims as the 2026 Luminary Award Recipients.
This is where Chicago comes together, to celebrate artistry, elevate excellence, and invest in what’s next. We hope you’ll join us.
Learn more about sponsorships. Please email us at development@porchlightmusictheatre.org with any questions.
Thank you to our generous sponsors
MARQUEE SPONSORS
Genevieve Thiers & Dan Ratner
Tell Jules
PREMIERE SPONSORS
Anonymous
Bob & Emily Carroll
Michelle & Steve Cucchiaro
Joe Higgins & Scott Hoesman
SIGNATURE SPONSORS
James & Brenda Grusecki
Brandon John Harrington
Tamara & Jay Sims
SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS
Dawn & Michael Brooks
William Bergfalk & Roland Hansen
Gerald Cholewa & Ronald Klimek
Bill Gilmer & John Blackburn
Mesirow Financial
Rhona Frazin
Art Garwin
Mardee & Bob Gramen
Jim Jensen
Chuck & Diane Laff
LIMELIGHT SPONSORS
Kit Barbaro
Scott Vandermyde
GALA PARTNERS:
ALAN MENKEN
2026 Icon Award Recipient
Legendary composer Alan Menken has created some of the most beloved songs and musical scores of our time, with his unique voice as a composer capturing the imagination of audiences for over 35 years. Known for his music on stage and screen, he is noted for his multiple works with the Walt Disney company (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin), as well as Broadway stage musicals Sister Act and Little Shop of Horrors. With eight Academy Awards, Alan has received more Oscars than any living person, and is the recipient of numerous other awards including Golden Globes, Grammys, Drama Desk Awards, and a Tony Award.
TAMARA & JAY SIMS
2026 Luminary Award Recipients
Tamara and Jay Sims are among Porchlight Music Theatre’s most devoted champions— philanthropic leaders, tireless volunteers, and beloved members of the Porchlight family for more than two decades. Their service to Porchlight has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Tamara has served on the Porchlight Board since 2012 and has held critical leadership roles, serving as Board Secretary, Gala Chair, and has been an active member of both the Development and Marketing Committees—shaping the organization’s growth and helping ensure its artistic mission thrives. Whether guiding strategy in the boardroom or rallying support at a fundraiser, their shared commitment has been a driving force behind Porchlight’s continued success.
And then there’s the role only Tamara could fill: the organization’s beloved “unofficial lobby greeter,” welcoming audiences before every performance with her signature warmth, infectious smile, and boundless enthusiasm. For countless patrons, Tamara is the first face of Porchlight—a personal ambassador who makes every guest feel like family from the moment they walk through the door.
Beyond their dedication to the stage, Tamara and Jay are proud owners of Elegant Event Lighting, which they have led since 2008. Tamara is a respected voice in the events industry, serving as Membership Committee Chair of NACE Chicago and maintaining active memberships with WIPA Chicago and MPI Chicago. Their professional expertise and generous spirit extend seamlessly into everything they do for the arts community.
Together, Tamara and Jay embody the very best of what it means to give back. Their unwavering commitment to Porchlight Music Theatre, to the performing arts, and to the broader Chicago community has made them indispensable leaders, advocates, and friends—and their impact will be felt for generations to come.
LORENZO RUSH JR.
Host
Rush is excited to be back working with Porchlight this season and hosting the Gala! An award-winning actor and director, Rush has worked with some of Chicago’s top theaters, including Goodman Theatre, Marriott Theatre, and right here at PMT. As a Chicago native, Rush is honored to play a small role in helping foster these incredible emerging artists into the rich legacy of Chicago theater. Phoebe and Phoenix are my motivation. Proverbs 18:16.
KIANA BEVERLY
Performer
Kiana is thrilled to be making her Porchlight debut! Recent credits include: The Wizard of Oz and The Wedding Singer (Ensemble) at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, as well as (Lil’ Inez) in Hairspray aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support. Follow her journey and future endeavors on Instagram.
ADAM FANE
Performer
Adam is thrilled to return to Porchlight this season. Porchlight credits: Jack Dawson in Titanique! and Tony Elliot in Billy Elliot. Other credits include: Disney’s The Little Mermaid (MUNY); Rock of Ages (National Tour); Salome & Medea (Lyric Opera); Frozen, The Full Monty, Into The Woods and The Producers (Paramount Theatre); Jim Hensen’s Emmet Otter (Studebaker); Ms. Blakk for President (Steppenwolf); Shrek the Musical, Gypsy, and Ride the Cyclone (Chicago
Shakespeare Theater); First Date (Royal George); Sex Tips (Chicago & Edinburgh Fringe); Jersey Boys, Spamalot, Pippin, and Avenue Q (Mercury Theater). Film: Canal Street. TV: Chicago PD. IG:@almostfanemous
FELICIA P. FIELDS
Performer
Felicia P. Fields is always honored to be included in this Porchlight special event. Felicia has worked in theater for 40 years at home in the Chicagoland area, as well as traveled and toured throughout the United States and Europe. Seasoned in theater, she has also directed and co-directed several projects with Ron OJ Parsons and most recently with Definition Theaters Amplified series. Tony-nominated for her creation of the role of “Sofia” in The Color Purple on Broadway, she also began the first national tour. She has many awards to her credit as well as on-camera and voice-over credits. She has her own Blues show, Pearl Rollin With The Blues. She works with theatres in her community and has tutored and mentored many young people and several celebrities. Governor Quinn declared July 24, Felicia P Fields Day.
JUWON TYREL PERRY
Performer
Porchlight audiences may recognize Juwon from Spring Awakening, Broadway in Your Backyard, and the Chicago Sings series. His work has also been seen at Goodman Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Arkansas Repertory Theater, Geva Theatre, and the Tony Award-winning Court Theatre, among others. Beyond the stage, Juwon’s cinematic reinterpretations of beloved songs have built an audience of more than 100,000 followers across social media, with performances reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Connect with him on Instagram and TikTok @juwontyrelperry.
ALINA TABER
Performer
Alina is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Theatre debut this season. Recent credits include: Brokeback Mountain (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Anthony Rapp: Home for the Holidays (Lookingglass Theatre); Picnic, Winter’s Tale (American Players Theatre); The Lord of The Rings- A Musical Tale (International tour and original American cast; Te Civic, Auckland NZ and Chicago Shakespeare Theater); A Streetcar Named Desire (Paramount Theatre); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marriott Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Theatre); and Once (Writer’s Theatre). In TV and Film, Alina was a recurring character on the One Chicago shows (Lexi Olinsky). As a cabaret singer and print model, she can be seen throughout Illinois performing or pretending to be a gambling addict on bus stop ads, billboards, and casino pamphlets. IG: @alinajeninetaber