Gin, jazz and a little flash! The Turtle Club was alive with the spirit of the roaring 20s – without the nuisance of prohibition of course. The Theater Company of Hoboken hosted their speakeasy themed fundraiser on Monday, Jan. 23, which also promoted their upcoming production The Wild Party.

Fundraiser co-hosts Producing Artistic Director Dave Zimmerman and Michelle Samarel, who will be playing Mae in The Wild Party, called the event a first of its kind for the company. It was a chance for all members of the art community to come together and celebrate.

“It’s a nice way to connect the performing arts and the community,” said Zimmerman.

“I immediately thought of The Turtle Club [for the event],” said Samarel. “It’s just such a classy, comfortable little hideaway.”

Members of the The Wild Party cast arrived in costume, and even performed throughout the evening. Playing the lead role of Queenie, Kelly Anne Wadler described her character as a star jaded by life, but ultimately shown the light. This is her third show with the company.

“This is a great event,” said Wadler. “I have only been with the company for a year, but I have never seen them do anything like this. It is great publicity and the more the better. Hoboken[artistic] culture needs to come back here.”

The cost to attend was $40 and the company received great sponsorship for the event, which included a Jim Beam tasting set up by The Turtle Club, open bar, appetizers, live music, and various donated raffle prizes. Prizes included CDs and gift certificates from restaurants all over Hoboken. Dino and Harry’s donated a generous $100 dinner certificate for one lucky raffle ticket holder.

Local artist Adam Ahl also created a piece for the fundraiser, which was raffled off at the end of the night – a one of a kind original portrait of legendary mob boss Al Capone in stencil and Montana gold spray paint.

“What’s a bigger figure than Al Capone in the 20s,” said Ahl. “It’s such a great night. I love it and the music is fantastic. Michelle did a great job putting it together.”

A fellow artist and neighbor to The Theater Company at the Monroe Center, Robert Policastro was also at the event showing his support, and promoting his upcoming tiger paintings exhibit “The Wild Life.” The Theater Company is co-curating the show.

“There will be a lot of risqué paintings; you should be over 21,” said Policastro. “It’s half a dozen [pieces] guaranteed to curl your art whiskers.”

Opening reception for “The Wild Life” is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. Opening night for The Wild Party is Feb. 10th, and will run until Feb. 19th. For more information visit www.thetheatercompany.org.