The New York City Ballet’s 2025 Spring Gala was a night to remember, as 2,500 guests gathered at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater for an opulent masked ball. Each guest was dressed to the nines in black tie attire and adorned with ornate Venetian-style masks, creating a scene of splendor and elegance.
The highlight of the evening was a special performance of George Balanchine’s Vienna Waltzes, a five-part ballet that pays homage to the grand tradition of the waltz. This elaborate production, last performed in its entirety by NYCB in 2013, takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of the waltz—from rustic Austrian forests to the height of Viennese imperial opulence. The mirrored ballroom scene, shimmering with romance and grandeur, is a breathtaking culmination of the ballet.
Rouben Ter-Arutunian’s scenic design and Barbara Karinska’s sumptuous costumes added to the dreamlike quality of the performance, with nearly 60 dancers moving in sync to the music of Johann Strauss II, Franz Lehár, and Richard Strauss. Before the ballet began, Maestro Andrew Litton offered a musical prologue, delving into the history and nuances of the waltz, enhancing the audience’s appreciation for the evening’s score.
Celebrities and philanthropists graced the event, including Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy, Nina Dobrev, Diane Kruger, and Ariana DeBose. Dobrev praised the precision and effortlessness of the dancers, while DeBose shared her childhood memories of ballet and its impact on her.
After the final curtain fell, guests were treated to a luxurious dinner in the transformed promenade, which was adorned with cherry branches, peonies, lilacs, and garden roses. The menu featured exquisite dishes that delighted the guests, including a little gem salad, Atlantic salmon, and a delectable dessert.
The evening was a success both in terms of artistry and fundraising, as $2.7 million was raised for the New York City Ballet—an institution that continues to inspire and move audiences year after year. Claire Danes summed it up perfectly, stating, “Ballet is endlessly moving and inspiring. What’s not to love?”
