COLORADO SYMPHONY

Denver

News: Cynthia Erivo has seemingly been everywhere following her starring role in “Wicked:” Performing at the Academy Awards and the Grammys; hosting the 2025 Tony Awards; and completing a concert tour with stops in cities that include Houston, Boston and St. Petersburg, Fla. In addition, she’s soon to be featured in the second season of the Peacock network’s “Poker Face” with Nathasha Lyonne.

On May 10 the superstar singer, actress, author and producer was in Denver, headlining the Colorado Symphony’s 2025 Frontier Gala.

Her performance was magical, bringing the Boettcher Concert Hall audience to its feet for sustained applause several times during her hour-long performance.

The Frontier Gala was coordinated by John Tobey Events and a host committee chaired by Dr. Marta O’Grady, co-vice chair of the Colorado Symphony board and a member of the Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Host committee members were Kiana Akina, client consulting manager for CBRE; Corinne Bigelow, senior product management specialist for Boeing and an associate member of the symphony board; Britany Chism, executive producer at Tapestry Productions; Kayla Dreyer, an attorney and shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and a member of the symphony board; Kevin McDonald, a community supporter; symphony board member Mike McPhee; Tariana Navas-Nieves, deputy director of Denver Arts & Venues; Dr. Christopher Ott, chief medical officer for HCA Healthcare’s physicians services; Alex Thomas, an attorney at the Taft Law Firm; Dr. David Wagner from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Kelly Waltrip, executive director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra.

The Western-themed gala began with a cocktail reception and dinner in the Seawell Ballroom that was highlighted by presentation of the Margaret Phipps Award to Dr. Richard Krugman and Julie Rubsam. Both are longtime supporters of the orchestra and served as co-chairs of its board of trustees from 2021-2024.

Krugman, known internationally for his work in pediatrics and the prevention of child abuse and neglect, is the former vice chancellor for health affairs and dean at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Rubsam, who had been chief of staff for former Colorado Lt. Gov. Mike Callihan, has spent her adult life as a community activist. She joined the Colorado Symphony board in 2010.

John Street, chairman and chief executive officer of the Greenwood Village cloud commerce marketplace company Pax8, succeeds them as board chair.

Net proceeds are still being tallied but will top the $500,000 that was in hand prior to a live auction and paddle raise called by JJ Raterink.

About the organization: The Colorado Symphony is the region’s only full-time professional orchestra committed to artistic excellence and ensuring the future of live, symphonic music. Its 80 full-time musicians perform over 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across the state.

Website: Coloradosymphony.org

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