Star Power and Community Spirit Shine at Segerstrom Center for the Arts 51st Candlelight Concert
The Esteemed Fundraiser Supporting Segerstrom Center’s Nonprofit Artistic, Education and Community Initiatives
Private performance and special master class by Hugh Jackman
Jackie Glass, and Elizabeth & Bart Asner, Event Co-Chairs
December 5, 2025
COSTA MESA, CA | Segerstrom Center for the Arts celebrated its spectacular 51st Annual Candlelight Concert on Friday, December 5, 2025, an evening filled with electrifying performances, heartfelt community spirit, and a shared commitment to advancing the arts in Orange County. The gala featured an unforgettable performance and master class by Hugh Jackman, with Jackie Glass, and Elizabeth & Bart Asner serving as this year’s event co-chairs. Their leadership and dedication to the arts were instrumental in making this evening a resounding success. Candlelight Concert is a hallmark of the Center’s fundraising efforts that predates the campus itself, bringing together Orange County’s most passionate art supporters to raise essential funds for its nonprofit artistic, educational, and community initiatives. This year, the gala raised $6 million, reaffirming its reputation as “the charity gala of the year” and “a world-class production from the moment you arrive.”
Since its founding in 1974, Candlelight Concert has become one of Orange County’s most anticipated philanthropic traditions, raising millions to sustain the Center’s vital programs. This year’s event continued that legacy, generating crucial funds that sustain programs such as the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities, and the Center’s expansive Education and Engagement initiatives, like The Cassin Promise. Through the generosity of its supporters, the Center continues to fulfill its mission as Orange County’s world-class hub for the performing arts, ensuring that creativity, education, and inspiration remain accessible to all.
“Candlelight is more than an evening of glamour—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the power of the arts,” said Elizabeth Asner. “We’re proud to see our philanthropic community come together to support programs that enrich lives across Orange County.”
“This year’s Candlelight Concert reminds us that the arts connect us all,” added Bart Asner. “The generosity we witnessed tonight ensures that the Center can continue inspiring future generations.”
“It’s been an incredible honor to co-chair this event,” said Jackie Glass. “From the energizing performance by Hugh Jackman to the energy in the room, the evening truly reflected the spirit and heart of Segerstrom Center.”
Guests arriving at Segerstrom Hall were greeted with champagne sabrage and a lively jazz trio set the tone for an evening of elegance and excitement. Inside, Brite Idea’s lighting and AK Johnston’s Riviera Noir-inspired event design transformed the space into a stunning blend of Palm Beach glamour and Miami Modern sophistication. The setting evoked a sultry, modern nightclub with a sense of grandeur that felt both theatrical and inviting. A custom photo installation by Event Scenario offered an elegant backdrop for guests to capture the evening’s glamour for posterity, with flash bulbs popping all night long.
The highlight of the evening was a breathtaking performance by Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winner Hugh Jackman, whose charisma and versatility lit up stage and seats alike. His set blended Broadway classics and cinematic favorites, as well as a holiday classic made famous by Frank Sinatra, which made for an intimate and electrifying experience.
In a moving moment, Jackman was joined by a choir that sang beside him which included participants of the Center’s master class program as well as students who had recently auditioned for the upcoming class. Jackman led the third annual Candlelight Master Class the evening prior, mentoring six talented high school students from across Orange County, continuing a cherished tradition of education and inspiration. Alongside the six chosen master class students, 41 students joined him onstage as the Candlelight Concert Choir for a heartfelt ensemble performance of “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen that filled the room with youthful power and hope. Hugh created an unforgettable moment by inviting one master class student, Isadora Salekfard, to give a rousing, solo performance of “Never Enough” from Greatest Showman. It was a memorable performance that showcased not only remarkable talent but the Center’s commitment to developing the next generation of performers.
Following the concert was the highly anticipated reveal, where the drapes were theatrically drawn to showcase the stage of Segerstrom Hall, transformed into a beautifully appointed dining room. The menu, curated by esteemed chef Alfonso Ramirez, included a lobster salad with a brown butter beet and lemon purée, a duet of Nebraskan grass-fed filet and sea bream served with boulangère potatoes and an Albufera sauce, and for dessert, a honey cake with orange blossom mousse and honeycomb. The space buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the shared afterglow of Hugh’s performance. As dinner cleared, the upbeat Lucky Devils Band took the bandstand, infusing the room with irresistible rhythm as the dance floor filled. Attendees also found their way to the Starbucks Coffee & Conversation Lounge, warmly lit with cozy seating and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, offering a quieter corner where guests could relax and mingle.
For more than 50 years, Candlelight Concert has been a night that not only celebrates the arts but ensures their future in Orange County. By the end of this extraordinary evening, the 51st annual Candlelight Concert delivered not just a night of entertainment but a spectacular celebration of community and philanthropy, a testament to the power of the arts to bring people together. Candlelight once again proved that when art, generosity, and community come together, the result is nothing short of magical.
