Alicia Keys’ mother, Terria Joseph, and actress Annette Bening got into a bidding war during a live auction at the Black Theatre United’s second annual gala. They were bidding on a luxury trip to the Caribbean when Keys stepped in to suggest they split the villa and both contribute $25,000 each. The auction ended with a total bid of $50,000, much to the crowd’s delight. Keys, who was honored with the 2024 Aspire Award at the gala, described her experience working on the Tony-winning musical “Hell’s Kitchen” as one of the most joyful experiences she’s ever had.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has seen Keys’ musical twice, attending once with Keys and once with former President Barack Obama, where they kept a low profile. At the gala, Annette Bening left some in the crowd star-struck as she arrived, with one guest even asking for a selfie. Other notable attendees included Brooke Shields, president of the Actors’ Equity Association, and Andre de Shields, who performed “I Got Life” with other artists. Mario Cantone took a moment to remember Broadway star Gavin Creel, who passed away on the same day.
Notable Broadway producers and celebrities in attendance at the gala included Fiona Rudin, Marvet Britto, Kurt Deutsch, and director Schele Williams. Josh Groban, Irene Gandy, Leslie Uggams, Kristin Chenoweth, Kara Young, and Norm Lewis were also among the guests. The evening ended with a closing performance by the founders of the Black Theatre United. Overall, it was a star-studded event filled with performances, auctions, and celebrations of Alicia Keys and her contributions to the theater world.
The live auction at the gala was a highlight of the evening, with Alicia Keys’ mother and Annette Bening engaging in a bidding war over a luxury Caribbean trip. Keys eventually stepped in to suggest they split the bid at $25,000 each, resulting in a total bid of $50,000. The gala also honored Keys with the 2024 Aspire Award for her work on the Tony-winning musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” which is still a hit on Broadway. Former First Lady Michelle Obama attended the musical twice, once with Keys and once with former President Barack Obama.
Annette Bening left some attendees star-struck as she arrived at the gala, with one guest even asking for a selfie with the actress. Other notable figures in attendance included Brooke Shields, Andre de Shields, Mario Cantone, and Broadway producers Fiona Rudin, Marvet Britto, and Kurt Deutsch. The evening concluded with a closing performance by the founders of the Black Theatre United, bringing a fitting end to a night filled with performances, awards, and charitable contributions. The gala was a star-studded event that celebrated the talent and contributions of Alicia Keys to the theater world.
