GAYLETTER

New York City Ballet is impeccable. My dear friend Beth took me to see a classic night of Balanchine repertoire last week for a belated birthday gift and to my surprise there was one piece choreographed by rising star Justin Peck that rocked the house. So good even that style maven and fashion director from Vogue, Tonne Goodman, seated just a few rows back from us (yes I was staring), seemed impressed. Lucky for us NYCB’s season ends this Sunday with a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream based on the Shakespeare play penned in 1595 with a score by none other than Felix Mendelssohn. Not knowing much about the play I was intrigued to note  that “Midsummer Night has long been associated with love and magic. In European folklore it is the one night of the year when supernatural beings such as fairies are about and can interact with the real world.” A perfect premise in the hands of genius George Balanchine to create an ethereal and timeless ballet that holds up some 50+ years after it premiered. I say dress up, way up have a bottle or two of champagne with your fellow dance lover and get your gorgeous asses up to the Philip Johnson designed David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for a night to remember, even the cheap seats are fierce!  —Gayletter