Ralph and Suzanne Roberts celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with ‘Love Letters’
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Former WHYY employee Sarah Davis takes on the lead role of Nora Gallagher in this year's radio Christmas play.
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John Timpane voices the role of Tony Razzolini, an elderly man of great learning, but shaky sanity.
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Elisabeth Perez Luna directs this year's radio play, "Certain Poor Shepherds."
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"Certain Poor Shepherds" writer and narrator Chris Satullo cracks up during one of the scene recordings.
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Shannon McDonald plays Julia Fideli, Nora's best friend, roomate, and bandmate.
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John Timpane sings "The First Noel" during a recording of WHYY's radio play, "Certain Poor Shepherds."
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Eugene Sonn, audio news director, plays the part of a surly security guard.
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Sarah Davis and John Timpane read from a scene in the radio Christmas play "Certain Poor Shepherds."
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<p>Suzanne Roberts performs the Broadway show "Love Letters" with actor Peter DeLaurier just before the Roberts' 70th wedding anniversary celebration dinner at the University of the Arts' Hamilton Hall. (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Artist Jamie Wyeth, one of the 300 guests in attendance at the performance of "Love Letters" (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Frolic Weymouth talks with Phyllis Wyeth at the Suzanne and Ralph Roberts' 70th wedding anniversary, held at the University of the Arts (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>David Cohen of Comcast, Rikki Saunders, and Gretchen Burke at Suzanne and Ralph Roberts' 70th wedding anniversary celebration (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Suzanne Roberts is escorted "down the aisle" by her two sons, Brian (left) and Rob Roberts (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann (left), Gerry Lenfest, Connie Smukler, and Irene and Fred Shabel look on as Suzanne and Ralph Roberts relive their Aug. 23, 1942 wedding day (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Suzanne and Ralph Roberts reenact their wedding photo. Suzanne's dress for the 70th anniversary celebration is from David's Bridal (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>The Roberts family (front row from left); Ralph, Lisa, Suzanne, Cathy Clifton; (standing) Sarah, Evan Seltzer, David Seltzer, Rob, Daniel, Diane, Aileen, Amanda, Tucker, Brian, Anthony Clifton (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Suzanne Roberts (center) with Dick and Carol Vermiel (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Aileen and Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, on the dance floor after dinner (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
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<p>Nancy Phillips and Lewis Katz, co-owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, among the guests enjoy dancing to the Joe Sudler Orchestra after dinner (Photo courtesy of Susan Beard Design)</p>
Brought to you by Freemans Auctioneers, The Circuit, with Caroline Stewart, takes you to the University of the Arts’ Hamilton Hall for Ralph and Suzanne Roberts 70th wedding anniversary celebration. Become a regular of our new blog to keep up with the hottest philanthropic events.
Love is a many splendored thing, especially after 70 years. Suzanne and Ralph Roberts, who were married Aug. 23, 1942 in Suzanne’s mother’s garden in Elkins Park, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Nov. 12 with much fun and fanfare.
The evening began with Suzanne on stage at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in a performance of the Broadway show “Love Letters” with actor Peter DeLaurier. After the show, the nearly 300 guests were invited by the Roberts’ daughter, Cathy Clifton, to walk to the nearby University of the Arts’ Hamilton Hall for dinner, which was catered by 12th Street Catering.
As the first course ended, the lights dimmed and Suzanne, resplendent in a new wedding dress from David’s Bridal and carrying a bouquet of gardenias, was escorted “down the aisle” by her sons, Rob and Brian Roberts, as the Joe Sudler Orchestra played “Here Comes the Bride.”
But when Suzanne got to the stage, Ralph was not there. “Here I am,” said Suzanne, “I finally show up one place on time and Ralph is late!” As the orchestra struck up “Anchors Aweigh,” Ralph, looking dapper in his full naval dress whites, made his entrance on stage. He walked toward his bride and they stood together, replicating their original wedding photo in 1942, when Ralph was an ensign in the U.S. Navy.
After a brief sentimental exchange before family and friends, Ralph hummed a few bars of “If You Knew Susie.” As the orchestra struck up “Time After Time,” Suzanne invited all of the guests to join them on the dance floor.
The Roberts’ daughter, Lisa Roberts, made a toast to her parents during dessert and introduced her father, who had the last word.
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