March 17, 2008
ANTONY TUDOR'S JUDGMENT OF PARIS,
IN HONOR OF CHOREOGRAPHER'S CENTENARY,
TO RECEIVE REVIVAL PREMIERE ON OPENING NIGHT
AT METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE,
MAY 19, 2008 AT 6:30 P.M.
ALL-STAR CAST TO INCLUDE ABT ALUMNI
In celebration of the centenary of the late choreographer Antony Tudor, American Ballet Theatre’s Opening Night Gala on Monday, May 19 will be highlighted by the Revival Premiere of Tudor’s 1938 comic masterpiece, Judgment of Paris. The gala evening, which was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, opens the Company’s 2008 Spring engagement at the Metropolitan Opera House and features all of ABT’s Principal Dancers performing highlights from the season.
The revival of Judgment of Paris will be staged for American Ballet Theatre by Sallie Wilson and Diana Byer. The season’s only performance of the ballet will feature ABT alumni Kathleen Moore as Juno, Martine van Hamel as Venus and Bonnie Mathis as Minerva, as well as Kevin McKenzie as The Client and Victor Barbee as The Waiter.
Set to music by Kurt Weill, Judgment of Paris received its World Premiere by the London Ballet at the Westminster Theatre in London in 1938. Last performed by American Ballet Theatre in 1958, the ballet was given its Company premiere during ABT’s inaugural season at The Center Theatre in New York on January 23, 1940.
American Ballet Theatre’s Spring Gala is sponsored by Graff Diamonds, RexCorp Realty and Nina Ricci. Caroline Kennedy and Blaine Trump will serve as Honorary Chairmen. Co-Chairmen for the evening include Tory Burch, Susan Fales-Hill, Anne Grauso, Olivier Theyskens and Caryn Zucker. Underwriting Co-Chairmen include Christian Baha, Marie and Henri Barguirdjian and Debby and Scott Rechler. Danielle Ganek and Gillian Miniter will serve as Gala Vice-Chairmen and Aileen Mehle is Chairman Emerita.
A Gala dinner under the Tent at Lincoln Center will immediately follow the performance. Gala benefit tickets priced at $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 include the performance and post-performance dinner. For Gala benefit ticket information only, call American Ballet Theatre’s Special Events office at 212-477-3030, ext. 3239.
Performance-only tickets, priced $28 to $145, are available at the Metropolitan Opera House box office or by calling 212-362-6000.
Superfund Asset Management, Inc. is the sponsor of
American Ballet Theatre’s 2008 Met Season.
Saks Fifth Avenue is the Leading Corporate Sponsor of
American Ballet Theatre’s Costume Fund.
JPMorgan is the Leading Corporate Sponsor of Make a Ballet.
American Airlines is the Official Airline of American Ballet Theatre.
Major funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts,
the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency,
and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.