STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Don a mask and step into a Ridotto as The Spot theater company throws its second annual Venetian Masquerade Soiree.

The Masquerade Soiree, a fundraiser for and celebration of The Spot, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute in Ketchum.

Guests should be prepared for an evening of culinary delights such as lamb lollipops, drinks, costumes and entertainment.

Terry and Kathryn Hulbert like the intrigue the masks offered.

Don your best Venetian carnival attire or come as you are. Co-chairs Susan Flynt and Penny Weiss are upping the number and elegance of masks this year for those in attendance. They’ll be displayed on a pegboard with a mask expert offering customized mask fitting.

Tickets are available at https://checkout.square.site/merchant/SJXTTJ7TP2PJK/checkout/7WVS2NVVBTJBVF3LARXVVHEV.

“Masks are part of the fun of it—and the chance to get dressed up in a way you might not normally dress,” said Flynt.

The Spot’s Yanna Lantz said proceeds from the event will support The Spot’s next two projects—the Pulitzer Prize winner “Topdog/Underdog” in April and The Spot’s second tuition-free middle school production, which will be “Something Rotten Jr.” in May.

Lizzie loving, Brett Momellenberg and Annabelle Lewis provided entertainment at last year’s Masquerade Soiree.

"It's probably no secret that I love a themed party--it's wonderful to dress up alongside our patrons and be transported to a Venetian Soirée,” said Lantz. “Some people really go all out and the pictures alone are worth it.”

Flynt said this year’s Soiree will feature a myriad of auction packages, including a Dine Around the Valley, a Taco and Tequila Experience featuring gourmet elk tacos and tequila tasting at Apple’s Bar & Grill, a week’s pass to Zenergy Health Club & Spa accompanied by a facial, Botox treatment, eyelash lift, eye tinting and a basket of skin and other wellness products.

Oops, and there’s a very sexy green Venetian lingerie from Luxe Lingerie, Flynt said.

There’s also a four-night stay for four in Tulum Mexico, plus a Staycation for two at Ketchum Limelight and a private catered dinner for eight prepared by Chefs Becky and Steven Ludwig. On top of that, Flynt is offering four nights for four at her newly renovated Chelsea apartment in New York City.

Even today, the shops of Venice are filled with exquisite masks.

Those at last year’s Masquerade Soiree wanted more entertainment so The Spot is obliging with entertainment early in the evening and late curated by Yanna Lantz and Sara Gorby.

The menu will be ever more splendid with heavy appetizers that are easy to eat with the fingers.

Flynt got the idea for the Masquerade Soiree from a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party she held a few years ago. The Soiree is inspired by the Venetian Carnival held during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday. It dates back to 12th century Venice when partygoers dressed in elaborate costumes and used masks to conceal their identity and social status in a time when Venice had one of the most rigid class hierarchies in Europe.

Mask makers were revered, and they made masks out of things like porcelain and gold leaf. They hand painted them and decorated them with feathers and gems.

Let The Spot’s Venetian Masquerade Soiree transport you to another place.

“I was overjoyed with the response to our last Masquerade,” said Flynt. “The Spot has had a summer fundraiser for several years, but they were wanting to do a winter event as productions can be so expensive. And this year Yanna Lantz is stepping in to make it more spectacular than last year.”

The Spot Sun Valley debuted in 2015 with “Next to Normal,” a play examining mental illness. It since has presented a myriad of cutting-edge plays including “The Revolutionists” and Assassins,” as well as such musicals as “Cabaret” and Sweeney Todd.”

It also offers tuition-free theater projects for middle school students and high school students.

“The Spot has a very special space that’s so different from all the other theater spaces in the valley. It’s very, very intimate. And, if I can get people to come to one show and they realize how intimate it is, they keep coming back,” said Flynt.

The money raised at this Soiree will help The Spot bring in two directors for “Top Dog/Underdog.”  Having two directors is very unusual but it illustrates The Spot’s commitment to quality, said Flynt.

“We’re very sophisticated in how we choose our actors and directors. ‘Top Dog/Underdog’ is for Black actors so we’ll be bringing in two Black men.”

Lantz said The Spot is grateful for the Sun Valley Culinary Institute’s partnership:

"Last year's event was a smash success and a great way to connect with our donors and community offstage,” she said. “This year, our Board is going all out--we have site-specific scenery and incredible auction packages offering one-of-a-kind experiences. Get ready for the best bites in Ketchum, dazzling drinks, and an elegant evening of top-notch entertainment!"