AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE RETURNS TO BEVERLY HILLS TO HOST ITS Annual HOLIDAY BENEFIT

For the first time in four years, American Ballet Theatre (ABT) returned to Beverly Hills to host its Holiday Benefit. The special, one-night only program featured performances by Aran Bell, Isabella Boylston, Chloe Misseldine, SunMi Park, Calvin Royal III, Jose Sebastian, Hee Seo, Christine Shevchenko, Cory Stearns, Katherine Williams, and the Los Angeles premiere of James Whiteside’s new pas de deux and scenes from The Nutcracker.

Proceeds from the Holiday Benefit support ABT’s education and engagement programs. ABT’s star-studded Holiday Benefit was held for a special, one-night only performance at iconic The Beverly Hilton. The benefit kicked off after a lovely cocktail reception, where guests were treated to the program featuring a new pas de deux as well as scenes from American Ballet Theater’s iconic Nutcracker Suite Ballet.

Co-Chairs Avery & Andrew F. Barth, Alissa Hsu Lynch, and Sutton Stracke were in the audience, watching the principal dancers share their stories through the art of movement. Additional guests included fans of dance (and many former and current dancers as well) such as Amanda Kloots, Becca Tobin, Camille Collard, Carly Hughes, Cassandra Trenary, Jane Seymour, Joey Zauzig, Kathy Hilton, Keltie Knight, Krys Marshall, Lesley Ann Warren, Lisa LoCicero, Natasha Kalimada, Nigel Lythgoe, NJ Falk, Pierce Brown, Retta, and more. The benefit was held on Monday, December 11 — at the same theater that the Golden Globes takes place (and on the very same day that the nominees for the Globes were announced). It was a stunning evening filled with lovely bites and beautiful dancing. A true holiday treat for the human spirit.