Towson University put on a New York City look for its Maryland Arts Festival gala, on opening night of the Baltimore-Washington premiere of "Rags: Children of the Wind." The musical's story takes place in New York, so the party's more than 300 guests were treated to some Big Apple scenery, including a mini-Statue of Liberty, a Central Park fountain and a nighttime NYC skyline, all under a tent outside TU's Stephens Hall.

Among those taking in the sights: Towson University president Dr. Hoke Smith and Joanne Glasser, the college's institutional advancement VP, the party's hosts; Teresa Hardin, event coordinator; Michael Decker, festival artistic producer; Nan Rosenthal, Lois Hodes and Sharon Akers, festival board members; Bruce Ballard, Aramark Corp. executive VP; George Doetsch, Apple Ford president; Gabe Purviance, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall manager; Dom LaPonzina, IRS spokesman; and Linda Biagioni, Black & Decker VP.

Pub Date: 07/25/99