Following a preshow cocktail party at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Lepercq Space and the debut performance of Matthew Bourne’s dance-theater production of Edward Scissorhands at Howard Gilman Opera House, Academy Bus Tours transported some 600 guests across the Manhattan Bridge to 7 World Trade Center for the conclusion of BAM’s spring gala, which raised $600,000. Edward J. McKeaney, BAM’s special events manager, teamed with Josh Hickey and Allison Shields of JoshHickey Paris to coordinate this year’s benefit, held on March 14. (They first collaborated on December’s Next Wave gala.) The team created a picnic setting on the 52nd floor of the venue, inspired by the 1950’s suburban setting of the show. The contrast between the colorful tabletops and the venue’s expansive city views lent a surreal air to the proceedings—the floor-to-ceiling windows created a sense that the scene was floating above, rather than contained within, the urban landscape.
—Sara NeufferPosted 03.21.07
Photos: BiZBash
—Sara NeufferPosted 03.21.07
Photos: BiZBash
To emulate the suburban environment featured in Matthew Bourne’s production (not to mention the 1990 Tim Burton film that inspired it), Josh Hickey created a backyard picnic table setting, complete with candy-colored napkins and simple tulip centerpieces.
Strings of lights draped from the ceiling illuminated the dinner and brought attention to the exposed beams and air ducts in the raw space.
Whimsical glittering topiaries on tabletops, around the DJ booth, and in corners of the event space referenced the production’s live dancing topiaries.
Great Performances served a picturesque menu that included heirloom tomato salad with avocado, mango, and red onion with a cumin and lime dressing.
