Avalon Theatre Gala
A special evening benefiting the theater and its investment in
laser projection technology
Join us for a memorable 75th anniversary celebration of Billy Wilder’s classic SUNSET BOULEVARD
RECEPTION
5 PM–7 PM
Program
7 PM–9:30 PM
A Trip Down Sunset Boulevard
Film Screening & Discussion
AVALON THEATRE
5612 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015
DRESSY CASUAL ATTIRE
Featuring Special Guests
David M. Lubin, the Charlotte C. Weber Professor Emeritus of Art at Wake Forest University, is the author of eight books on topics ranging from American art during World War I to photojournalism during the Kennedy era.
His most recent work, Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of “Sunset Boulevard” and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream, was listed by The New Yorker as one of the “Best Books of 2025.”
Lubin’s many lecture and interview appearances include NPR, CBS, C-Span, and the BBC. He holds a doctorate from Yale University.
For more than three decades, Bob Mondello has reviewed movies and covered the arts for NPR. He has also written about the arts for USA Today, The Washington Post, Preservation Magazine, and other publications, with additional appearances as an arts commentator on commercial and public television stations.
Before becoming a professional critic, Mondello learned the ins and outs of the film industry by heading the public relations department for a chain of movie theaters, and he reveled in film history as advertising director for an independent repertory theater.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
PATRON TICKET: $300
- 1 ticket to the catered reception prior to the program
- Preferred reserved seating for the program
- Name listed in the printed program
PROGRAM ONLY TICKET: $65
- 1 ticket to the program
- Reserved seating for the program
- Event admission at 6:45 PM
(7:00 PM start)
UNDERWRITER BENEFITS
GALA STAR: $20,000
- 10 tickets total to the catered reception and program
- Special recognition during the event as a Gala Star
Underwriter - Complimentary rental of Avalon 2 at a mutually
agreed upon time (Mon-Thurs only) - PLUS all benefits at the Producer level
PRODUCER: $10,000
- 8 tickets total to the catered reception and program
- Exclusive onscreen recognition during
the Avalon pre-show for one year - Two complimentary Avalon passes for one year
- PLUS all benefits at the Cinematographer level
CINEMATOGRAPHER: $5,000
- 6 tickets total to the catered reception and program
- Recognition during the event as an Underwriter
- One copy of the book Ready for My Close-Up signed by author David Lubin
- PLUS all benefits at the Screenwriter level
SCREENWRITER: $2,500
- 4 tickets total to the catered reception and program
- Recognition in the event program and
on Avalon website - Preferred reserved seating for the program
Interested in becoming an underwriter? Email Nathan Perriello .
About the Avalon Theatre
The Avalon Theatre, a 103-year-old community-supported art house film center, is dedicated to the exhibition of film, film education, and preservation of our historic 1923 building. After closing abruptly in 2001, a grassroots campaign saved the theater, and it reopened as a nonprofit in 2003. Our mission is to showcase the art form of film while entertaining, educating, and inspiring the greater Washington, DC community in a welcoming space for all.
The Avalon cinematic experience is about communal film viewing on the big screen. From carbon-arc projection in the silent film era to 35mm film and digital systems, laser projection is the next technological leap—bringing great films to our community with extraordinary brilliance.
WE THANK OUR GENEROUS UNDERWRITERS!
Producer
Lynn & Bill Choquette
Donetta George
Jodie Levin-Epstein & Barry Zigas
Kathleen A. Maloy & Heather L. Burns
Beth Wehrle & Matthew Miller
Cinematographer
Lisa Banks & Linda Correia
Christine Bedoret & Robert Doubek
Carl & Courtney Bergeron
Lisa & Alvin Dunn
Patricia P. Karp & Judith A. Powers
Annie & Paul Mahon
Ann Pelham & Bob Cullen
Screenwriter
Marion C. Blakey
Connie K.N. Chang & Nathaniel G. Pearlman
Chevy Chase Farmers Market
Counterpart International
Sally Courtney
Heather & Chris Davenport
Diane Lazarus Eichner & Ron Eichner
Martin Hahn & Colleen Martin
Sarajane Johnson & Arthur Goldberg
Chris & Tomi Landis
Joshua M. Levin & Debra Fried Levin
Cathy MacNeil-Hollinger & Mark Hollinger
Chris & Kathleen Matthews
Peggy Parsons
Connie Rosemont & Jon Greenberg
Elias Savada
Daniel & Jane Solomon
Randy Speck & Samantha Nolan
Dr. Maria Turner
Warner Bros. Discovery
Dorothy & Ken Woodcock
Host Committee
Lisa Banks & Linda CorreiaSubhashini Bollini & Frank RuggieroGina & Arch CampbellSally CourtneyLisa & Alvin DunnStephanie & Tope FolarinJon Grossman & Jaime BanksCindy & Bill Kelly
Aviva Kempner
Kathleen A. Maloy & Heather L. BurnsMary Louise MitterhoffLynn Palmer & Bob PeckJohn Pappajohn & Lalita SubramanianConnie Rosemont & Jon GreenbergJan Solomon & Kenneth SimonsonDaniel Spealman & Kristi Maasjo
As of 4/15/26