This year’s New York City Ballet fall gala took a different approach compared to previous years. Instead of focusing on fashion and collaborations with designers, the gala went “vintage.” Sarah Jessica Parker, a vice chair of the company’s board of directors, expressed this sentiment before the show. The gala featured a performance of George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” from 1970, with costumes reimagined by Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera. However, these costumes failed to impress, with only the spinning skirts standing out. The dresses were unflattering, too long, and weighed down with colored stones. The overall look was unsophisticated and the costumes were garish.
The addition of singers like Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams, and Joshua Henry, performing George Gershwin songs during the ballet, distracted from the performance and made it less musical. Even when there were moments of joy in the dancers’ performances, the overall look and sound fell short. Balanchine’s choreography was overshadowed, and the decision to remake the costumes instead of restoring or reimagining them creatively was a misstep. The fall season has shown that Balanchine is not the only star, but also costume designer Karinska, who had a remarkable talent for color and cut.
The evening concluded with “Glass Pieces,” a work by Jerome Robbins set to Philip Glass, which showcased the corps de ballet. The dancers’ synchronized movements and their relaxation into the hypnotic score created a memorable ending.
Before the gala, the fall season rightfully belonged to Balanchine, with programs featuring gems like the revival of “Bourrée Fantasque” from 1949. This ballet, set to music by Emmanuel Chabrier, seamlessly transitions from comedy to romance and ends with a thrilling finale where dancers converge in concentric circles. The overall performance showcased Balanchine’s ability to turn classical steps inside out with humor and power.
The season also featured performances of the Balanchine triptych “Jewels,” with standout debuts from dancers like Mira Nadon, Jovani Furlan, Christina Clark, and Emily Kikta. Sara Mearns, partnered with Tyler Angle, impressed with her performance in “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2,” while Russell Janzen’s retirement left a void in the company.
However, there is hope for the future with young principals Roman Mejia and Gilbert Bolden III, who show exceptional partnering skills and expansive dancing. Bolden’s growth and agility this season have been notable, whether he’s performing a corps de ballet role or a lead.