Erich Bergen

Earlier this fall, TACA – The Arts Community Alliance – announced that it is launching a new annual fall event, Glitz at the Ritz at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas which will debut on Thursday, Nov. 3. The black-tie dinner show and fundraiser will replace the organization’s long held fall event, Party on the Green which was held previouslyon the Dallas Arts District campus. The event will be co-chaired by Wanda Gierhart Fearing and Chef Dean Fearing.

“The time had come for us to re-imagine TACA’s Party on the Green,” TACA’s President and Executive Director, Terry D. Loftis said in September’s announccement introducing Glitz at the Ritz. “In doing so, we concluded the time had come to retire the event. To assist us in creating a new vision and event format, we collaborated with the person who launched what became Party of on the Green, Chef Dean Fearing and with his wife and former TACA board member, Wanda Gierhart Fearing.”

Glitz will also feature Erich Bergen as the night’s headlining entertainment. The TV and Broadway actor was last seen as Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway where he wrapped up his run in September. He also starred in the CBS series Madame Secretary with Tea Leoni and Tim Daly. He’s also appeared onstage in Jersey Boys and Waitress and the CBS shows The Good Fight and Bull.

Bergin will perform a version of his one-man show that he performed at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan.

Chef Fearing of Fearing’s Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton will create a menu for Glitz based on a theatrical theme.

“I am so excited to launch Glitz at the Ritz with TACA. The bonus of welcoming and showcasing the talent of Erich Bergen makes it all the more dynamic. I am looking forward to curating a special menu for the evening exclusively themed around Erich’s Broadway roles,” he said. “Wanda and I are such dedicated supporters of the arts and TACA and are ecstatic to be leading this exciting new fall event.”

With a whole new look and brand for TACA’s fall fundraiser, Loftis stated that this was a chance for the organization to bring something entirely new to the season.

“The producer and musician in me wanted to produce an intimate, high quality show unlike anything TACA has ever done. Dean and Wanda provided the creative spark to bring Glitz at the Ritz to life,” he said.

All proceeds from the event will benefit TACA and tickets are available here.

– From staff reports