New York City Ballet will begin its 2001/2002 season with a Tribute to the Spirit of New York, a special one-night-only celebration of the spirit of the city. The performance, which will feature works by George Balanchine, will also include a special surprise guest appearance, and will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20 at the New York State Theater. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the World Trade Center relief efforts.
“George Balanchine said that ‘New York was the only place in the world where we could have built this Company,’ and this city’s incredible spirit has always nurtured and inspired us,” said Peter Martins, NYCB’s Ballet Master in Chief. “By paying tribute to that spirit with this special performance, we will honor and give thanks to this great city of ours.”
New York City Ballet is arguably one of the great achievements of post-war New York and was one of the founding constituents of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Over the years the Company has served as a haven for New York’s artists, musicians, dancers, writers, designers and others. The legacy of the Company’s repertory, the majority of which was created here in New York City, reflects many of the artistic and intellectual currents that have emanated from the city for more than 50 years.
The benefit evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. on the Promenade of the New York State Theater. A black-tie tribute dinner will immediately follow the 7:30 p.m. performance.
The Chairmen for the evening are Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Beinecke, James and Marie Nugent-Head Marlas, and Mr. and Mrs. David H. Mortimer. The Corporate Chairman is Howard Solomon. The evening is generously sponsored by Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Orchestra and first ring tickets, which include the tribute dinner and pre-performance cocktail reception, are priced from $1,000 to $2,000 and are available through the NYCB Special Events Office at 212-870-5585. Tickets for the performance (orchestra sides and back) and pre-performance cocktail reception only are $200, and are also available through the NYCB Special Events Office.
Tickets for the performance only are priced from $20 to $100 and are available through Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, at the New York State Theater Box Office, or through the NYCB website at www.nycballet.com
The New York State Theater is located on the Lincoln Center Plaza at Broadway at 63rd Street. For more information on tickets for any New York City Ballet performance call 212-870-5570.
Press seat reservations for Opening Night will be taken beginning Monday, November 5 by calling Kelly Ryan at 212-870-5691. Availability is limited to single seats on the First Ring sides.
