American Ballet Theatre at David H. Koch Theater

The nights when ballet gods Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, MikhailBaryshnikov,and AliciaAlonzo ruled the Metropolitan Opera House are gone. Luckily, the memories of theirunparalleled performances live on in documentaries and the memories of those of us luckyenough to have witnessed them.Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant foundedthe American BalletTheatre in 1939 and I’m sure theywereapplauding the return of the company for its first in-person gala since 2019 at the David H. Koch Theater. The night featured the World Premiere ofJessica Lang’sZigZag,set to songs recorded byTony Bennett, including the duet “It’s De-Lovely” with Lady Gaga,with costumes by Wes Gordon and scenery by Derek McLane.Theevening honored ABT TrusteeJenna Segal andraisednearly $2 million.In the glamorousmixwasABTPrincipal dancerMisty Copelandwho glowed with a secret; she’s pregnant. Mistysaid,“You can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed.” abt.org