ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, ABT Principal Dancers Misty Copeland and Stella Abrera and Co-Chair Michael Moser, Harry Winston VP Regional West Coast Retail (Photo Credit: Vince Bucci)
The air of excitement in the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom was palpable as the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) celebrated its 75th anniversary December 7 with a holiday benefit sponsored by jeweler Harry Winston and the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation.
The cocktail hour was abuzz with anticipation about the special performance that included excerpts from seven classic and contemporary ballets which featured newly promoted principal dancers Misty Copeland and Stella Abrera, both of whom have strong ties to Southern California.
There were also oohs and aahs as models wearing Harry Winston posed on a pedestal and then mingled in the crowd.
As guests were seated in the ballroom, all eyes were on the stage as Copeland reprised her sensational New York debut as Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake” with dance partner Alexandre Hammoudi.
Alexandre Hammoudi, Misty Copeland
Equally as impressive, Abrera performed a gorgeous pas de deux with James Whiteside from “Giselle.”
Pieces from other ballets included the opener, “Monotones 11” with three all-white clad dancers and the closing dance, “Valse Fantaisie” with choreography by George Balanchine.
Naturally, during this holiday season, there was a segment from “The Nutcracker,” which ABT will be performing at Orange County’s Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts through December 20.
Each element of the performance elicited a warm response from the audience – and the traditional bouquets as the dancers took their bows.
After a dinner of arugula salad with beets and goat cheese and Scottish salmon filet, dessert was even tastier.
James Whiteside, Stella Abrera
The ABT dancers had changed out of their costumes and into formalwear to meet and greet guests at the gala, and of course, pose for pictures.
Attendees included Nigel Lithgow, Dita Von Teese, Jesse Metcalfe, Jennifer Tilly and Lesley Ann Warren, plus “Dancing with the Stars ‘” Cheryl Burke and Kym Johnson.
The evening’s co-chairs were Avery and Andy Barth, Rochelle Gores Fredston, Eloisa Maturén, Michael Moser, Catharine Soros, Sutton Stracke and Liane Weintraub.
The New York-based American Ballet Theatre has been home to many of ballet’s legendary stars, including Mikhail Baryshnikov.
