RODEO's 70th Anniversary Highlights American Ballet Theatre's Opening Night Gala, 10/16

American Ballet Theatre's Opening Night Gala at New York City Center tonight, October 16 will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Agnes De Mille's Rodeo with a special tribute to the ballet's premiere. First performed by The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo on October 16, 1942 at the Metropolitan Opera House, de Mille's groundbreaking Western ballet features a unique combination of ballet and Broadway-style dancing set to Aaron Copland's famous score. ABT's Opening Night Gala will also include performances of Mark Morris's Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, a pas de deux from James Kudelka's Cruel World, and The Company premiere of the pas de deux from George Balanchine's Stars and Stripes.

A Gala Dinner at New York's Pierre Hotel will immediately follow the performance, with special guest Harley Viera-Newton serving as DJ for the evening. Mildred C. Brinn will be honored with the 2012 Melville Straus Leadership Achievement Award, in recognition of her exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to the arts.