Exclusive Photos Celebrate 75 Years of New York City Center

On October 1, New York City Center-a Midtown Manhattan institution known for its neo-Moorish architecture and arts programming heavy on theater and dance-will kick off a new season, during which it will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The new season will include a tribute to George Balanchine (showcasing works he created for City Center’s own stage), a revival of the Irving Berlin musical Call Me Madam, five weeks of performances from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and seven anticipated performances-including one for a November 14 gala-of A Chorus Line.

"Since Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia opened our doors in 1943 as Manhattan’s first performing arts center, City Center has been a home to artists from the worlds of dance, theater, music, and opera, all presented under the same roof,” says Arlene Shuler, City Center’s president and CEO. “To honor this rich history, City Center commissioned three visual art installations in celebration of our 75th Anniversary.”

One of the visual art installations, which will be on view at City Center beginning October 1, is a series of photographs by Nina Robinson of artists who’ve worked with the venue, including actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Brian Stokes Mitchell, dancers like Wendy Whelan and Robert Fairchild and behind-the-scenes talent like costume designer Clint Ramos.

Here, Town & Country gets an exclusive first look at the images, and thoughts from the subjects on what City Center means to them.