ABT Spring Gala Honors Katie Holmes with Don Quixote Preview
On May 20, 2026, the American Ballet Theatre held its Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, celebrating actress Katie Holmes for her enduring support. This black-tie affair also commemorated the 20th anniversary of ABT’s recognition as the National Ballet Company by Congress. Artistic director Susan Jaffe showcased a 38-minute preview of her upcoming Don Quixote, streamlining the performance by removing mime and group dances to keep the audience engaged. The ballet, featuring Marius Petipa's choreography and Ludwig Minkus's score, has been part of ABT’s repertoire since Mikhail Baryshnikov’s 1978 rendition. Jaffe, a former principal dancer, assigned distinct casts for each act. Notable guests included designers Zac Posen and Michelle Ochs, while Holmes dazzled in a white floral silk jacquard minidress by Ashlyn. Alexander Hurt presented her with a Lladró porcelain ballerina award. The evening featured a dinner of Chilean sea bass and an after-party with DJ Runna.
Key facts
- ABT Spring Gala held at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 20, 2026
- Katie Holmes honored for her longtime support of ABT
- 20th anniversary of ABT being designated National Ballet Company by Congress
- Susan Jaffe previewed her condensed Don Quixote (38 minutes)
- Don Quixote choreography by Marius Petipa, score by Ludwig Minkus
- Original production at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow over 150 years ago
- ABT repertoire includes Baryshnikov (1978), Vasiliev (1991), McKenzie (1995) productions
- Holmes wore Ashlyn dress with Arielle Ratner jewelry
Entities
Artists
- Katie Holmes
- Susan Jaffe
- Mikhail Baryshnikov
- Vladimir Vasiliev
- Kevin McKenzie
- Marius Petipa
- Ludwig Minkus
- Miguel de Cervantes
- Isabella Boylston
- Christine Shevchenko
- Catherine Hurlin
- Chloe Misseldine
- Luigi Crispino
- Patrick Frenette
- Calvin Royal III
- Alexander Hurt
- Sarah Hoover
- Tina Leung
- Iris Apatow
- May Nivola
- Ivy Getty
- Zac Posen
- Bach Mai
- Michelle Ochs
- Fernando Garcia
- Laura Kim
- David LaMarche
- DJ Runna
- Katie Couric
- Nate Berkus
- Jeremiah Brent
- Anne Imhof
- Constance Wu
- Alessia Fendi
- Isiah Magsino
- Melvin Lawovi
- Skylar Brandt
- Herman Cornejo
- Yuchang Xiao
- Fangqi Li
- Priya Shukla
- Malcolm Carfrae
- Sai De Silva
- John Wattiker
- London Scout
- Tina Raja
- Lilah Ramzi
- Brian McIver
- Kyle Ridaught
- Julie Halston
- Brie Welch
- Sharon Patrick
- Matthew Domescek
- Lauren Bonfiglio
Institutions
- American Ballet Theatre
- Metropolitan Opera House
- National Ballet Company
- Congress
- Bolshoi Theatre
- Vogue
- Cipriani 42nd Street
- Carolina Herrera
- Alejandra Alonso Rojas
- Rodarte
- Rat & Boa
- Buci
- Van Cleef & Arpels
- Cartier
- Monique Lhuillier
- Akris
- Giorgio Armani
- Issey Miyake
- LeVian
- Ashlyn
- Arielle Ratner
- Herbert Levine
- Lladró
- Louis Vuitton
- Monse
- Bennett Raglin
- Getty Images
- Bryan Bedder
Locations
- New York City
- New York
- United States
- Cipriani 42nd Street
- Metropolitan Opera House
- San Diego
- Moscow
- Russia