The Relish Catering + Hospitality team had the joy of producing a vibrant pre-show reception at the Gershwin Theatre for Champion Charities—an organization dedicated to creating meaningful outings and memorable experiences for children and families. For this event, the mission was simple yet powerful: design a fun, colorful, and immersive gathering that set the tone for an unforgettable night at one of Broadway’s most iconic productions, Wicked.
With the evening performance scheduled for 8 PM and a packed house expected, our team was tasked with transforming the lobby space during the brief window between the matinee and evening shows. The Gershwin Theatre is known for its fast-paced turnarounds, and on this particular Saturday, every minute mattered. Working closely with the venue’s operations team, we executed a complete setup in under 45 minutes—an impressive feat made possible through careful planning, clear communication, and a collaborative spirit between Relish and the Gershwin staff.
To immerse the families in the world of Wicked from the moment they arrived, our team leaned into the show’s distinct color palette, centering the design around its signature greens with playful pops of pink. This whimsical pairing guided the entire visual identity of the reception. Tables were dressed in green and pink linens; branded accents echoed the show’s aesthetic; and every detail—from layout to lighting—was selected to create a seamless transition from the reception to the theater doors.
But the true showstopper was the pair of candy stations we designed for the children. Leaning into the idea that “pink goes good with green,” we built two fully immersive, 360-degree sweet stations overflowing with bright, colorful treats. Kids were invited to wander around, explore, and fill their own candy bags with an assortment of chocolates, gummies, and nostalgic favorites. The stations became a lively centerpiece of the evening, buzzing with excitement as children compared their loot and circled back for “just one more” handful.
For an entire hour, the lobby was filled with laughter, color, and the kind of energy only a room full of kids on a candy adventure can create. Families mingled, volunteers from Champion Charities offered support, and our team ensured everything ran smoothly—from restocking jars to maintaining flow in the space.
Once the clock struck the start of the 30-minute breakdown window, our team flipped into rapid-reset mode. With the same precision used in the setup, Relish staff worked hand in hand with the Gershwin Theatre crew to clear the space swiftly and quietly. Every table, linen, vessel, and design element was cleared, packed, and removed just in time for the lobby to return to theater-ready condition as the usher teams began welcoming guests for the show.
As families made their way into the auditorium—some holding tightly to candy bags, others still buzzing with anticipation—the atmosphere was filled with excitement. For many of the children Champion Charities supports, this wasn’t just a night at the theatre. It was a magical evening out in New York City, made special by moments of joy, surprise, and delight before the curtain even went up.
For our team, slipping out the side door as the lights dimmed felt like the perfect ending to a meaningful collaboration. We were honored to play a small role in creating a memorable night for the families Champion Charities—and grateful for the trust placed in Relish to bring such a heartwarming event to life.
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by Spencer Kondak
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