For Immediate Release - October 21, 1999

New York City Ballet Presents a Millennium Tribute to the Dancers, Featuring Highlights from Great Moments in NYCB's Rich Repertory

To mark the first performance that New York City Ballet has given in New York City since presenting a record-setting 100 ballets in its historic 50th Anniversary season, Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins has designed a special one-time-only gala performance. Conceived as a tribute to the NYCB dancers, the 1999 Opening Night program will give the audience a rare opportunity to see almost all of the members of America's largest ballet company -- and provide an opportunity to thank these artists for their performances during the 50th Anniversary year.

The evening, a Millennium Tribute to the Dancers, will take place at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, at the New York State Theater. Following the performance there will be a Tribute Ball on the State Theater's Promenade. Honorary Chairmen for the evening are Governor and Mrs. George E. Pataki, with Chairmen Carol and Earle Mack, and Vice Chairman Jesse Kornbluth.

"These dancers thrilled audiences in performance after performance last season and I wanted to create an evening to thank them for their unparalleled commitment to making our 50th Anniversary such an exciting and memorable occasion," said Mr. Martins. "By presenting nearly all of our dancers on stage in one evening of ballet, this Opening Night program will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the artists that will take New York City Ballet into the next century."

The Opening Night program, which features choreography by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, August Bournonville and Ulysses Dove, will also provide a preview of the Company's 1999-2000 season, which will feature performances of more than 60 ballets during 23 weeks at the New York State Theater.

For the Opening Night post-performance Tribute Ball, the decor will be designed by Robert Isabell, with supper by Glorious Food. The music for the gala will be provided by Topspin Entertainment and is being generously underwritten by America Online, Inc.

For complete program and casting information for the Opening Night Benefit, see the attached program listing.

Orchestra and First Ring tickets, which include the Tribute Ball, are priced from $750 to $1,500 and are available through the NYCB Special Events Office at 212-870-5585. Tickets for the performance only, which are priced from $20 to $100, are available through TicketMaster at 212-307-4100, at the New York State Theater Box Office, or by visiting the NYCB Web site 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 New York City Ballet performances, call 212-870-5570.

Calvin Klein, Inc. has graciously underwritten the cost for the entire Company of dancers to be its guest at the Tribute Ball.

Source for Earle Mack's involvement as Chairman for NYCB Gala Benefit located at http://www.nycballet.com/news/press/pr102199.html

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