AROUND TOWN: MAT's Tangerine Fling

 Leave it to MAT to whip up a colorful annual fundraising party and introduction to the new theatre season (themat.org).

It was also the perfect opportunity to celebrate 10 “TENacious” years for the theatre program.

Yes, there were orange shades in the evening sky Sept. 24, but even more on the patio deck at MAT where guests adorned themselves with tangerine clothing, shoes, boas, wigs and just about anything else as they sipped tangerine drinks.

Later in the evening, thanks to board member Paula Levy, there were even tangerine JELL-O shots! 

Hosts and theatre co-founders Jim Jackson and Birgitta “Babette” DePree circulated among the guests, welcoming friends and urging everyone to eat, drink and visit the silent auction. There was also time to don silly costumes and climb into the photo booth for a memento.

 Among the evening’s performers: Benjamin Pratt, Sarah Barad, Babette, Christopher Keller, Michael Stanwood (who sang about breaking up ... with himself), Art Guffaw, Hannah Rockey and Jeff Harms.

There was also a special salute to the theatre programs MAT (formerly Manitou Art Theatre) takes into the schools at a time arts programs are victims of budget slashing.

PHOTOS: http://tinyurl.com/3z375kv