For one magical night, patrons of the arts
in the Borough of Kings were able to rub elbows with royalty
from the Riviera.
Prior to the New York premiere of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s
"Cinderella," gala-goers sipped cocktails in tents
near the Brooklyn Academy of Music and drooled over luxury items
on the silent auction tables while trying to nonchalantly catch
glimpses of Monaco’s royal family, screened by a copse of potted
trees at the rear of the tent.
Among the celebs who turned out for the black-tie extravaganza,
a benefit for the ballet company and the Brooklyn Academy of
Music, were their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of
Hanover (aka Princess Caroline and her husband, Prince Ernst
August of Hanover) and His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince
Albert. Deeply tanned actress-model Lauren Hutton and best-selling
author Sandra Brown, injecting a dose of movie-star glamour in
their glittering gowns, as well as cabaret sensation Bobby Short
were spotted trading air kisses among the VIPs.
Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot’s interpretation of the
classic story calls for Cinderella’s mother to return to her
after death as her glittering fairy godmother. The role of the
fairy-mother was danced to exquisitely elfin perfection by Bernice
Coppieters.
The child’s tale was made surprisingly adult with sexy costumes
designed by Jerome Kaplan. Under Kaplan’s direction, Cinderella’s
cruel step-siblings and stepmother wear coordinating corsets,
garters and hoop skirts that come to intimidating points (which
magically did not appear to inhibit their performance of Maillot’s
refreshing blend of classical and contemporary ballet). In fact
the evil step-mom’s wigs and purple costumes seemed an homage
to both Cruella De Vil from "101 Dalmations" and Sour
Grapes, the witch who menaces Strawberry Shortcake and her animated
friends.
The evening blurred the lines of entertainment and reality, as
the audience watched the fairytale about a bevy of lascivious
maidens jockeying for the hand of the prince while sitting behind
real princes and princesses.
The audience of arts patrons did bristle when asked to rise for
the royal family’s entrance and at intermission when asked by
ushers to keep to their seats until the royal family had exited
from the theater. But BAM president Karen Brooks Hopkins warned
the royals in her remarks preceding the performance that Brooklyn
and Monaco are quite different municipalities, with Monaco taking
the lead for best climate and Brooklyn winning points for our
democratically elected, gregarious leader Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz – spotted at the post-show dinner.
The "Cinderella" ball was chaired by the Honorable
Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Consul General of Monaco, and Nora Ann
Wallace and Jack Nusbaum. Other VIPs in attendance were home
repair guru Bob Vila, who’s working on a building in DUMBO these
days, choreographers Lucinda Childs and Trisha Brown, as well
as socialites Mrs. Randolph Hearst and Lynne Wyatt and City Councilmen
David Yassky and James Davis.
The ball was open to all, with tickets beginning at $300 per
couple. It raised $1.2 million for BAM and Les Ballets de Monte
Carlo.
Home run
Actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins sought refuge at BAM Rose
Cinemas on April 30 from their recent storm of controversy. After
Baseball Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey objected to the
politically active thespians’ opposition to the war on Iraq,
the 15th anniversary screening of "Bull Durham," in
which Sarandon and Robbins starred with Kevin Costner, was moved
from upstate Cooperstown to BAM.
The event was attended by the movie’s director Ron Shelton, and
co-star Robert Wuhl, as well as Sandy the Seagull, the Brooklyn
Cyclones’ mascot. The screening was a benefit for the Cooperstown
Food Bank.
"We appreciate Brooklyn opening its doors to ’Bull Durham,’"
said Robbins. "From Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Gil
Hodges and Sandy Koufax to the Cyclones, Brooklyn’s glorious
baseball heritage makes it a fitting place for the ’Bull Durham’
celebration."
Sarandon was also honored on May 5 at the Film Society of Lincoln
Center’s annual gala tribute where Park Slope actor-director
John Turturro paid tribute to the actress he directed in his
film "Illuminata." Other celebs who turned out for
the love fest were David Bowie, Tim Curry, Geena Davis, Harry
Belafonte, screenwriter Gore Vidal (godfather of Sarandon’s daughter)
and director Paul Schrader.
In fact the only scandal of the night seemed to be Sarandon’s
chagrined reaction to the racy film clips from her formidable
body of work – such as scenes from "Atlantic City"
(1980) and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975) –
that were shown to her three young children who were in the Avery
Fisher Hall audience.
Mark’s spot
At the Mark Morris Dance Group benefit on March 25, gala-goers
partied late into the night following the opening-night performance
of the group’s Brooklyn Academy of Music season. Gala committee
chairs Shelby Gans and Isaac Mizrahi did their part smooching
attendees but co-chair, actress Isabella Rossellini, and choreographer
Mikhail Baryshnikov were sorely missed no-shows.
Debbie Harry, "Law & Order" star Sam Waterston
and actor Willem Dafoe all professed themselves fans of Morris’
innovative choreography, which that night included "Serenade,"
Morris’ solo performance incorporating castanets, a fan and a
metal pipe, in a tribute to his late friend Lou Harrison.
"His work is so witty and there’s so much joy to it,"
said Harry. Waterston said it was "so easy" to support
Morris’ work and added that he attends performances "whenever
I get the chance."
While designer Mizrahi created his costume for "Serenade,"
Morris wore his own less formal ensemble – a sarong and sandals
– to his gala.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz with wife Jamie Markowitz
presented a proclamation to Morris amidst the gala hoopla.
Other VIPs in attendance included Wooster Group founder Elizabeth
LeCompte, musician Ethan Iverson and Morris’ gorgeous dancers.
Up next
Actress Rosie Perez will emcee Brooklyn Youth Chorus’ "Voices
of Harmony" gala benefit on May 12 at the Brooklyn Museum
of Art. The event will honor arts patron and philanthropist Emily
Hargroves Fisher. Tickets are $150-$500. For more information,
call Lesley Berson at (718) 243-9447.
