The Nashville Children’s Theatre wasn’t filled with its usual throng of happy children for their spring benefit show, Telling Tales. The brightly colored lobby was decorated with dozens of silent auction items, an array of hors d’œuvres and topped off with the string trio Gypsy Hombres to set the mood. Event chairs Julie and Keith Covington welcomed guests into a world usually inhabited by little ones and actors in costume, which was elegantly transformed into an early evening cocktail party.

Local Kitchen Catering provided the culinary options, serving up quinoa hush puppies, mini BLTs, lemon and cardamom cakes with strawberry relish and hot chicken bites with cheese and sriracha sauce. The silent auction, chaired by Margaret Holleman and LeAnn Kelly, was the star of the pre-show, with just about anything imaginable up for grabs, including a family portrait session, 18k earrings from Cindi Earl, and gift certificates to restaurants such as Baja Burrito and Marche. Pure Barre and Climb Nashville offered discounted visits, and there was even a backyard chicken consultation! Behind the bar, though not up for auction, was a massive statue made of crayons by renowned artist Herb Williams.

Attendees of the event ranged from board members and donors to patrons and patron parents, with NCT staff helping out. After cocktail hour, guests were ushered onto the stage in the theater, where chairs awaited them for an intimate show. NCT actors read letters sent in by children who had attended shows with their classes, Jonell Mosser performed a beautiful acapella version of Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy,” and John Carter Cash performed a song based on his new children’s book, The Cat In the Rhinestone Suit. Managing director Kathryn Colegrove was very grateful to the performers who donated their time and talents. Not only did they make for an entertaining and fun evening, but she said, they helped raise over $35,000 for the Theatre. It was an evening most kids would have enjoyed, but thanks to its patrons many more kids will get to experience the NCT.