American Ballet Theatre Hosts West Coast Holiday Benefit

On Monday evening the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) held its Holiday Benefit dinner, along with several short dance performances at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The annual event honored Judy Morr, Executive Vice President of Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, and was sponsored by jeweler Harry Winston.

More than 300 guests and patrons were treated to a one-night only performance from ABTs world-renowned artists including Principal Dancers Stella Abrera, Misty Copeland, Gillian Murphy, Hee Seo, Daniil Simkin, and Cory Stearns.

The Holiday Benefit dance performances included excerpts from The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Alexei Ratmanskys Whipped Cream, Benjamin Millepieds I Feel the Earth Move, Marius Petipas Harlequinade, Christopher Wheeldons Thirteen Diversions, Ben Van Cauwenberghs Les Bourgeoius, and Liam Scarletts Elegy Pas De Deux.

ABT has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with our honoree Judy Morr for nearly 50 years, said Kevin McKenzie, ABTs Artistic Director.

Proceeds from the Holiday Benefit support American Ballet Theatre and its educational programs.

American Ballet Theatre will present its annual engagement of Ratmanskys The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, featuring students from ABTs William J. Gillespie School, through December 17, 2017. For tickets, please visit http://www.abt.org/performances/nutcracker.asp or call (714) 556-2787.

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