Black ties and Broadway

Each year around this time, the Great Hall at Carroll Community College in Westminster transforms into a winter wonderland for "Starry Night" - an event organizers call the most elegant of the year.
About 400 guests will be dressed to the nines Friday for an evening of Broadway-caliber entertainment, a silent auction and dessert reception, all to benefit the college's foundation.
"Shock and awe" is the response Steve Wantz, executive director of the foundation, hopes to see from guests arriving at the benefit.
Blossom and Basket Boutique of Mount Airy will be charged with remaking the hall into a stunning banquet facility and Johansson's of Westminster will provide hors d'oeuvres, dessert and other offerings. An array of exclusive items will be up for bid at the silent auction, among which is a rarely offered tour of the Ravens training facility in Owings Mills that includes lunch in the facility's cafeteria.
The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the Broadway Tenors, who will also meet with guests at the dessert reception following the show. The three tenors are Kyle Dean Massey, best known for starring as Gabe in "Next to Normal," Fiyero in "Wicked" and Thalia in "Xanadu"; Lewis Cleale, currently in "The Book of Mormon" as Price's Dad and previously Michael in "I Do! I Do!"; and Brent Barrett, known for starring as Billy in "Chicago - The Musical."
"It's always something new and always something different," Wantz said about the annual fundraiser.
The event is expected to net up to $90,000 for the foundation. Wantz said the money will be used for scholarships, instructional equipment and service learning opportunities.
"This allows the education at Carroll Community College to be first rate," Wantz said.
"Starry Night" has been sold out for a month, but organizers have created another opportunity for the public to take part in the experience before the event. A free "Master Class with Brent Barrett" will be offered at 3:30 p.m.
Barrett will talk about his experiences, give pointers and answer questions from the public. He will also review performances by several pre-selected high school and college students.
In addition to "Chicago," Barrett is also known for his role in the revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" and his debut as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom - the Vegas Spectacular."
Barrett said he is from a small town in western Kansas and opportunities to meet with professional performers were rare.
"Having contact with a professional in the field you are interested in is invaluable to someone pursuing a career in the arts," Barrett said. "It can help clarify whether the student wants to do this as a profession or a hobby."
Barrett said he was grateful for encouraging teachers. The best advice he ever received came from a high school music teacher he worked under as a student teacher. After seeing one of his performances, the teacher asked Barrett if teaching was really his passion. He said it wasn't.
"She said, 'Then you have to follow your dream.' I did, and have never looked back," said Barrett.
Dealing with rejection, said Barrett, is the most difficult challenge in his business.
"It comes when you least expect it. Sometime you go into an audition and think you nailed it and, you find later, you didn't even get a call back," he said. "You have to stay very strong and directed, and have faith in your talent. And you can't judge yourself by others. Everyone has their own path."