Each year, Segerstrom Center raises the bar of expectation for the next Candlelight Concert, and with a rousing special musical performance by A-list actor Hugh Jackman, this year was no exception. The evening began with a cocktail reception that transformed two floors of the center into a modern Palm Beach-style nightclub. Gala-goers mingled, sipped Veuve Clicquot, and nibbled on little gourmet bites such as caviar atop a potato chip.
But it was Jackman’s performance that took the energy to a higher level. The star of films including “Les Misérables,” “The Greatest Showman,” and the recently released “Song Sung Blue” brought the audience to their feet as he sang popular numbers from his films, shared anecdotes, performed with a corps of talented students, and darted between rows of seats to interact with guests. After the final number, the curtain lifted to reveal an elegant dining room setting on the stage. But the grand finale was the tally for the money raised from the 51st Candlelight Concert: $6 million to help fund programs like The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, and other education and engagement programs.
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