American Ballet Theatre’s Fall Gala

Last night, with ball skirts gathered tightly in hand, patrons of the American Ballet Theatre darted across the shimmering Lincoln Center Plaza, bracing against pelting rain, to celebrate this year’s Opening Night Fall Gala. The lobby of the David H. Koch Theater was aflutter with the folding of umbrellas, the shaking out of shawls, and quick touch-ups of otherwise immaculate updos, but once past coat check, the crowd shone in festive crimsons and cobalts the theme of the evening, “Scarlett, White, & Blue,” borrowing from the sensational Liam Scarlett, whose piece was the most anticipated of the night.

Kicking off the gala, which was hosted by Clinique, Lanvin, and Piaget, Alexei Ratmansky filled the stage with the entirety of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, from teenage company hopefuls to children still toddling in tutus. The audience cooed and clapped as the very youngest students jetéd with gusto, following the footsteps of their elders. “Ratmansky really captured not just the beginnings of dance, but the dreams of dance,” said Julie Kent, ABT principal and undoubtedly inspiration to all the young dancers on stage.

Superstars Misty Copeland and James Whiteside alongside Marcelo Gomes and the unspeakably lissome Hee Seo burned the stage in the world premiere of Scarlett’s sensual, boundary-breaking (and aptly named for the weather) With a Chance of Rain. With its tenderness as well as its rump shaking and chest groping, Scarlett’s irreverence won fans, among them Olivia Munn, who glowed in Lanvin beside an equally elegant Lanvin-clad Jenny Slate. “I love when humor is infused into classic forms,” said the Obvious Child funny girl.

After a rousing finale by Christopher Wheeldon, the balletomanes filed toward the atrium, recounting their favorite moments. “Wasn’t that pas de deux between Hee and Marcelo so powerful?” remarked Wendy Whelan, New York City Ballet’s ballerina of the hour, who last week took her final bow after three decades dancing with the company. “And, ah, here he is!” she delighted, as Scarlett, looking flush from an overabundance of accolades, joined her with a kiss. What does he feel after watching the performance and hearing the clamorous applause? “Relief!” he says humbly. With shows up simultaneously at ABT, NYCB, and the Royal Ballet, the in-demand choreographer will have to wait till December before he’s able to catch his breath.

Following a meal of ricotta gnocchi, Skuna Bay salmon, and three tiers of petit treats, the dance floor swelled. After an evening of precision, patrons and company members alike let their hair down. The rain would just have to wait.