Jewels is the ballet Balanchine made from three gemstones, and each act looks and moves like one: misty French romanticism in Emeralds, Stravinsky's sharp, hip-swinging Rubies, and the chandelier-bright Tchaikovsky of Diamonds with a huge corps. It is the company's signature showcase and a smart first ballet because the three styles never let the evening sag. If you want one NYC Ballet night this fall, the closing performances of Jewels are it.
What to expect
A full-length program in the Koch Theater's gold-and-red house, with a live orchestra in the pit and intermissions between the three sections. Costumes shift from deep green to red to white as the evening moves from lyrical to jazzy to grand imperial classicism.
Good to know
- Take the 1 train to 66 St–Lincoln Center; the theater is on the south side of the plaza.
- The weekend brings several performances, including matinees, which suit families and first-timers.
- The Fourth Ring has some of the least expensive seats and a clear view of the patterns from above.
- Allow time for security lines at the Lincoln Center entrance.
- Casting changes by performance; the company posts it closer to the date.
Going? Keep it.
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Common questions
How many acts is Jewels?
Three: Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds, each set to a different composer, with intermissions in between.
Is Jewels good for a first ballet?
Yes. The three sections are short, very different in style and have no complicated plot to follow.
Where is it performed?
At the David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza.
