Tilles Center’s 29th annual Gala lived up to its theme, “Some Enchanted Evening,” when Brian Stokes Mitchell and Linda Eder wowed a sold-out audience on Saturday evening. Despite the wet and dreary weather outside, from the moment Brian Stokes Mitchell took the stage (in his Tilles Center debut), the mood inside was warm and bright.

The upbeat show lasted nearly two hours without intermission, and the spirit of the evening was one of appreciation and generosity. Stokes thanked the audience for their continuing support of the arts, artists and Tilles Center. As expected, he opened with a spirited rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening,” from “South Pacific.” His thrilling baritone rang out over a topnotch orchestra of 39 hand-picked Broadway musicians led by legendary music director John Oddo.

After a whirlwind tour of his signature showstoppers, Stokes closed with a dramatic performance of “The Impossible Dream” which brought the crowd to its feet. The excitement and warmth in the hall was palpable as he thanked the audience and graciously introduced his co-star. Linda Eder, a Tilles Center favorite, joined Stokes in a duet version of “What a Wonderful World,” the song most famously recorded by Louis Armstrong.

In her solo set, Eder’s own vocal mastery and versatility was thrilling, as she honored those singers who most influenced her career, from Judy Garland to Barbra Streisand. Yet for all the Broadway magic it was her own popular hit “Vienna” which earned Eder her standing ovation. With a laugh and a gleam in her eye, she closed her set with a swashbuckling rendition of “Man of La Mancha” before bringing Stokes—the star of the 2002 revival of that classic show—back for a closing duet. Their choice: “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” by Michel Legrand (lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman). This great romantic duet (sung for the 1982 film “Best Friends” by James Ingram and Patti Austin) put the finishing touch on a magical evening.

Our official 2009-10 season Opening Night took place on Saturday, October 3, as Broadway legend Bernadette Peters returned to our stage for the first time since her sold-out appearance at Gala 25 in 2005. Once again the hall was filled with fans, and the stage was packed with some of the best theater musicians in New York, conducted by Bernadette’s longtime music director Marvin Laird.

Throughout the concert Peters introduced members of the orchestra, many of whom she had worked with on Broadway in such hit shows as “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Gypsy.” The Queens native was clearly happy to be on Long Island again. She fondly recalled her 2005 appearance, and the Tilles Center audience was equally thrilled to be welcoming her back.

Not surprisingly, Peters devoted much of her program to the music of Stephen Sondheim. “Gypsy” provided the evening’s framework, with “Let me Entertain You” as her opening number, and “Rose’s Turn” among her encores. As in many of her concerts appearances, “Being Alive” from “Company” was a showstopper, but she added a new song from that show to her set, performing “Another Hundred People” for the first time on Saturday night. The jazzy number perfectly captured the pace of the City that never sleeps.

As a final encore, Peters performed “Kramer’s Song,” a touching lullaby she composed herself, for her children’s book “Broadway Barks.” Written in response to the plight of stray animals, this song caught the emotions of everyone in the hall, who could easily imagine singing it to a beloved pet (or child!). After all the evening’s fireworks, it was this quiet musical moment which brought the Tilles audience to its feet.