The New York Post reports that David Koch isn't going to help fund the renovation of the new David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) at Lincoln Center. Well, who's surprised. They couldn't exactly put his name on it since his name is already on the New York State Theater across the plaza. David and David are not exactly political cronies, either.
What will be most interesting to H.H. readers, however, are the last paragraphs of this article in which NYP explains that they caught up with Koch at the ABT Gala where lots of people were unhappy with the Gala program content, its length, and the fact that folks didn't get to dinner until 10:30pm. From NYP:
Meanwhile, ballet lovers are so annoyed at how long the performances on Tuesday dragged on, there are whispers that ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie is in trouble. The dinner after the ballet didn’t start until 10:30 p.m. even though the curtain went up at 6:30 p.m.
“There were too many dances, too many speeches, too many videos. It was endless,” said one ballet lover. Lots of guests left before the second intermission.
One big donor groused, “If he [McKenzie] doesn’t understand people have to get up in the morning and want to go home, we need a new artistic director.”
Exactly.
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It's going to be a pretty exciting and full day tomorrow. At NYCB, Lauren Lovette, Anthony Huxley, and Lauren King debut in La Sylphide at the matinee. Then in the evening, Stella Abrera finally gets the chance to dance Giselle with her home company after being acclaimed in it internationally.
When Makarova, who is here supervising her La Bayadere, gets a look at Stella and Vladimir Shklyarov together in Giselle, she may get some new ideas about a pairing in La Bayadere in the event that Osipova doesn't pass Makarova's test as Nikiya or if Cojocaru can't make it here. Wouldn't that make McKenzie squirm like a worm? Just sayin'.
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A ballet legal lecture by NYCB's general counsel, Robert Craft of Holland and Knight, will be presented by the New York Court of Appeals on June 4th in Albany at the Court of Appeals Hall on 20 Eagle Street. Mr. Craft will discuss "legal and practical aspects of preserving a choreographic legacy" in a program entitled “Dancing with the Law: Counsel, Choreography and Copyright.”
Space is limited. People interested in attending are asked to reserve a seat by Tuesday, May 26 by calling (518) 455-7818 or email: [email protected].
The NYP wrote, "Lots of guests left before the second intermission." There was only one intermission on Monday. So much for the NYP's credibility, although I must agree with the basic concept that KM must go. On to happier topics:
IT'S STELLA DAY!!! I'm on my way to Union Station NOW to get on my Megabus!!! STELLA OR BUST!!!
Posted by: Jeannette | May 23, 2015 at 06:00 AM
Yep, it's already a beautiful day.
Posted by: Haglund | May 23, 2015 at 09:32 AM
I'm crossing the plaza tonight to see Stella's debut. I can't wait! As you know, I'm not a devotee of ABT's (too many guest stars etc.), but I had the pleasure of seeing Stella dance with Daniel Ulbricht's summer troupe, a few years ago, and was just wowed by her! I know a lot of fellow NYCB folks who are taking the night off from the NY State to be there to support gorgeous Stella.
Posted by: Deb Broide | May 23, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Oh, Deb, we so remember your reports from Santa Fe:
http://haglundsheel.typepad.com/haglunds_heel/2013/08/.
They renewed our hopes of one day seeing this Giselle on the Met stage, as did the reports from her performances in the Philippines and in Sydney.
Posted by: Haglund | May 23, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Another NYPost inaccuracy: Gala was Monday.
Posted by: Johanna B. | May 24, 2015 at 09:49 AM