At The Gateway’s 75th Anniversary Gala honoring CEO and creative director of Fireworks by Grucci, Phil Grucci, 250 supporters flowed into the Bellport headquarters. After the cocktail hour, both Grucci and Gateway executive artistic director Paul Allan gave talks and videos onstage in the theater of their impressive histories. Grucci credited his wife, family, ancestors and extended family for his company’s success. Allan provided his trajectory of his family’s impact, including those who worked there or took acting classes at one time and went on to roles and positions in theater, television and movies. Acting school director and casting director Rachel Armistead spoke about the importance of their Acting School classes, encouraging donations for the scholarship fund to aid those who can’t afford classes, and introduced the young actors of “The Little Mermaid, Jr.,” who sang two spirited numbers.

A sneak preview of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” rocked the audience, as Kaitlyn Davis electrified the keyboard and sang “You’ve Got a Friend” and a rousing “Beautiful” with cast members.

Albert Lee Music got the dinner crowd dancing, including choreographer Debbie Roshe and director Larry Raben, with “Beautiful” actors tearing up the floor with patrons.

It was quite a night. “Beautiful” starts this Friday, Aug. 9.