What do show biz and the Palm Beach social scene have in common?
Everything is about the billing.
“An Enchanted Evening,” the signature fundraiser of the Palm Beach Island Hospice Foundation, lived up to its billing.
The 43rd annual Hospice Evening took place Feb. 5 at The Breakers.
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Carol Baxter and Nannette Cassidy were chairwomen for the event, which began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Mediterranean Room before guests moved through a dramatic, illuminated tunnel leading to the Venetian Ballroom.
Mark W. Cook, chairman and president of Palm Beach Island Hospice Foundation, offered brief pre-dinner remarks.
“Hospice Evening 2026 was a truly extraordinary night, made possible by the unwavering generosity of our supporters and the exceptional leadership of our dedicated chairs,” Cook said. “Their commitment, along with the compassion of our community, ensures that we can continue providing comfort, dignity, and hope to patients and families when it matters most.”
Cook also recognized the invaluable support of honorary co-chairs Jackie and Beau Breckenridge, along with champagne chairs Gaye and Jim Engle.
Champagne chair… We briefly considered volunteering for that position until we realized the job involved paying for the champagne rather than drinking it.
The highlight of the evening was a standout performance by Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. Among Broadway’s celebrated leading men, Mitchell’s career spans more than three decades and, in addition to two Tony awards, includes several Tony nominations, a Grammy nomination and many television roles, most recently Frederick Kirkland in “The Gilded Age.”
He performed a medley of Broadway classics, ending with an inspirational rendering of “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha.”
The night continued with dessert and dancing to the music of the Bob Merrill Band.
More than 400 people attended.
Proceeds directly benefit the Palm Beach Island Hospice Foundation’s mission to advance excellence in end-of-life care, with a special emphasis this year on Pediatric Palliative Care and Physician Education.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: ‘An Enchanted Evening’ lives up to its billing with marquee performance
Reporting by Shannon Donnelly, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
