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Alicia Keys’ mother, Terria Joseph, got into a bidding war with Annette Bening over a luxury trip to the Caribbean during a live auction at Black Theatre United’s second annual gala on Monday night.
Joseph was bidding to support scholarships and other programs when Bening gave her a run for her money for a stay at La Maison Michelle Barbados.
The two bidders had heads spinning at the Ziegfeld Ballroom as they went back and forth, forcing Keys to step in once the bids reached $25,000.
Keys grabbed the microphone from auctioneer Patrick Tully and provided a solution by suggesting they split the villa at $25,000 each.
“That is a deal! Sold!,” for a total of $50,000, Tully declared as the crowd cheered.
Maybe they’ll even head to the hotspot at the same time and enjoy the vacay together!
Keys, who composed her biographical musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” was honored with the 2024 Aspire Award at the gala.
She described working on the Tony-winning musical as, “one of the most joyful experiences I’ve ever had,” during a 10-minute acceptance speech.
The show is still a hit on Broadway. Former FLOTOUS Michelle Obama has even seen it twice. After attending opening night with Keys, Obama brought former President Barack Obama on Friday, and we’re told they kept a low profile.
Meanwhile, back at the gala, Bening left some in the crowd star-stuck as one enthusiastic guest asked her for a selfie as she was walking in.
Brooke Shields attended as president of the Actors’ Equity Association, and Andre de Shields –accompanied by Ephraim Sykes and Darrin Scott — belted out “I Got Life.” Shields was also visibly awestruck when Stephanie Mills performed the tune “Home” with Nichelle Lewis and Sydney Terry.
Mario Cantone, whose husband, Jerry Dixon, directed the gala, took a moment to remember Broadway star, Gavin Creel, who died on Monday at age 48 after battling an aggressive form of cancer, metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma.
Broadway producers Fiona Rudin, Marvet Britto, Kurt Deutsch and “The Notebook” director Schele Williams were among the crowd.
Josh Groban, Irene Gandy, CNN contributor Cari Champion, Leslie Uggams, Kristin Chenoweth, Kara Young, Norm Lewis, Wendell Pierce, Tamara Tunie, Rhonda Ross and artist Mickalene Thomas — who has produced a few Broadway shows herself — were also there.
The evening ended with a closing performance by BTU founders.
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