Big news in the ballet world!
Misty Copeland, a groundbreaking ballerina, is set to take her final bow at Lincoln Center on Wednesday. It’s creating quite the buzz, with scalpers asking up to $4,000 for last-minute tickets.
The David H. Koch Theater was almost at full capacity several hours before the American Ballet Theater’s special gala performance, which honors the first Black principal dancer in this renowned company.
ABT had initially priced tickets between $90 and $950, but, of course, third-party sellers capitalized on this moment, raising prices significantly—a move that both ABT and Lincoln Center tried, but failed, to mitigate.
Interestingly, a ticket sold for $4,285 on Stubhub was already snatched up by Wednesday morning, marking the highest price we’ve seen this week.
Now, only a handful of empty $3,000 orchestra seats remain, along with some $700 tickets available in the second ring.
Even the least expensive seats, way up high, are tagged at around $400. Kind of wild, right?
For context, past ticket prices for Copeland’s performances in 2018 and 2019 peaked at $450, according to ABT.
Moreover, a rear orchestra seat for this Saturday’s performance (without Copeland, who is 43 now) is just $200. Makes you think twice about those lofty prices.
Luckily for those watching their wallets, ABT, alongside the Misty Copeland Foundation and Lincoln Center, is providing a simulcast in Alice Tully Hall.
As she steps away from performing, Copeland plans to focus on her foundation she’s developed over the years.
The gala honoring her includes performances that highlight her extraordinary career, together with video tributes and some surprise guests—always a nice touch.
One highlight? Copeland will revisit Odette/Odile in a piece from “Swan Lake,” as well as perform in the balcony scene from “Romeo and Juliet.”
It’s wild to think that Copeland’s journey began when she made history as ABT’s second Black female soloist in 2007 and later became the first Black female principal dancer in the company’s 85-year history.
Founded in 1939, ABT is regarded as one of the top classical ballet companies in the U.S.
Copeland has also made a mark beyond ballet, featuring in a Prince music video and writing a New York Times bestseller—pretty impressive stuff.
Reflecting on her experience, Copeland shared, “I never could have imagined that ballet would give me life.” It sounds like her time with ABT has truly shaped her both as a dancer and as a person, offering her a platform to inspire others.
In her own words, she expressed, “This moment is not a farewell, but a celebration of all we have built together and a step toward all of our future work.”
