CAPSULE REVIEW : Gala Begins Celebration of ABT’s 50th Birthday
American Ballet Theater, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary all year, kicked off the celebration Sunday night with a 3 1/2-hour gala. The top ticket price was $1,250.
There were excerpts from ballets, speeches and films, excitement and artistic glory.
The most remarkable performance Sunday night was the Act 2 pas de deux from “Swan Lake” by Alicia Alonso, who made her debut with the company one year after it began.
An Act 3 “Swan Lake” duet, next to last on the program, was received with a roar as it was danced by two great favorites with the audience. Cynthia Gregory, who has celebrated 25 years with Ballet Theater, was partnered by the fiery Fernando Bujones, who left the company after a dispute with Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Baryshnikov, who resigned suddenly in September as Ballet Theater’s artistic director, was not present. Neither was choreographer Jerome Robbins, who sent a message that was read.
There was so much demand for tickets to the gala that another one is planned May 7.
A full review of the ABT gala will appear in Tuesday’s Calendar section.
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