Charles R. Wall and Jennifer Goodale

Princess Firyal of Jordan

Cynthia Polsky and Svetlana Wachtell

New York City Opera’s Spring Gala Last week the New York City Opera hosted a Gala evening honoring two leaders who have shaped City Opera’s vision in the last decade: Paul Kellogg, General and Artistic Director, and Altria Group, Inc., longtime Season Sponsor. The Gala featured City Opera’s new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, starring TONY-nominated Marc Kudisch as The Pirate King. It was a black-tie evening beginning with cocktails on the Grand Promenade of the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. Following the performance, there was dinner and dancing to the Peter Duchin Orchestra. City Opera was proud to honor Mr. Kellogg on this special evening as he reached the end of his celebrated 11-season tenure as General and Artistic Director of New York City Opera. The company is also honored Altria Group, Inc. for its extraordinary decade-long Season Sponsorship which has been instrumental in supporting Kellogg's legacy.

Edmee Firth, Alexandra of Greece, and Jean Christophe Legreves

Yildiz Blackstone and Luca Orlandi

Serena Boardman and friend

All proceeds from the Spring Gala support City Opera’s mission to produce innovative productions of new and classic work, reach a wide audience with affordable ticket prices, and bring music into the lives of thousands of students each year through its acclaimed education programs in the New York City public schools. Gala Chairs: Brooke Hayward and Peter Duchin, Edmée de M. Firth, Frederick J. Iseman, Karen and Kevin W. Kennedy, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Constance J. Milstein, Cynthia and Leon Polsky, and William C. Rondina. Among the guests: Fe Fendi, Princess, Alexandra of Greece, Luca Orlandi, Yildiz Blackstone, Audra McDonald, Brooke Duchin, Edmee Firth, Susan Baker and Michaell Lynch, Arie and Coco Kopelman, Liz and Jeff Peek, Jean Christophe Legreves, Serena Boardman, Lisa and Matt Lori,  Jenny and Richard DeScherer, Lorry and Mark Newhouse, and Robert Couturier.

Irwin Schneiderman and Audra MacDonald

Coco Kopelman, Charlotte Moss, and Carol Mack

Arie Kopelman, Olivia Flatto, and Alexandra and Jean Christophe Legreves

Paul Kellogg and Susan Baker

Fe Fendi and Tom Gold

Yung Hee Kim and Paul Kellogg with Allison and Allison Levasseur

Liz Peek and Arie Kopelman

Jane Gullong and Susan Baker

Lisa and Matt Lori

Mark Jacoby, Mark Kudisch, and Audra MacDonald

Paul Kellogg, Brooke Duchin, and Lorry Newhouse

The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Associates Committee celebrated their 16th Annual Bunny Hop Chaired by Lisa Errico, Christina Addison and Elizabeth Fuller on Tuesday, March 13th.  Honorary Chair, Melania Trump came escorted by Donald Trump and their son Barron, who was outfitted head to toe by the title sponsor of the evening Susie Hilfiger and Best & Co.  Also clad in Best & Co. were the Kids Kick In Committee, made up of The Associate’s Committee’s children. They were circulating throughout the store with their “Every Penny Counts” pails, to collect additional funds for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Department of Pediatrics.  With their help, the 500 children and 700 adults in attendance contributed in the raising of over $380,000. The Vice Chairs were Celeste Boele, Annabelle Fowlkes, Lynn Morris, Maria Villalba. It was held at FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue, where the legendary “Hop” began in 1992 as the brainstorm of Joanne de Guardiola. DeJuan Stroud, created a magical spring garden at FAO Schwarz for the 6th year in a row. At the VIB (Very Important Bunny) entrance ceramic vases holding pink and white Azalea’s between the scattered hand-painted eggs lined the famous “pink” carpet.  Topiary bunnies and other animals were installed throughout the giant first and second floors of the store. Susie Hilfiger celebrated the evening with her four children Ally, Richard, Elizabeth and Kathleen, who all came to support their mother’s sponsorship.  To kick off the Laughing Pizza performance Melania Trump and Susie Hilfiger thanked all of the supporters of The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering and emphasized the ongoing aid the children in the pediatric department need from them and introduced the largely applauded family group.  Throughout the night children enjoyed the entertainment of Magic Al, Noddy, Clifford the Red Dog, Swarovski Tattoos, MikeyMike, Bob the Builder, Spot the Dog and Peter Rabbit throughout the store. InStyle, the official make-up artists of The Society’s Pediatric Prom, was dolling up little ones like their favorite movie stars, additional face painting, cookie decorating, candy necklace making and shopping was also available for all to partake in. Olivier Cheng Catering and Events served up delicious eats:  Fresh Popped Pop Corn, Rainbow Cotton Candy, Hot Dogs, Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese, Cheese Burger Squares, Organic Chicken Breast Tenders and Fresh Baked French Bread Pizza, Dim Sum, and ice cream treats!

Hilfiger Family

Donald, Barron, and Melania Trump

Ana and Rachel Roy with Sienna, Josh, and Shoshanna Gruss

Among the guests were the Associates Committee Chairman Christina Smith, former Bunny Hop chairs Stephanie Griswold, Leslie Heaney, Mary Darling, Jennifer Creel, Leslie Coleman and Alexandra Mandis who attended with their families.  Others included the Society’s President Vera Safai; Doubles Club’s Wendy Carduner; Harvey Keitel’s wife Daphna Krastner and son Roman; Sallie, Mark, Allegra and Leta Giordano; Dana, Patrick, and Charlotte Stubgen; Christina Vita and Chloe Coleman; Barbara, Kevin, Madeline and Hugh McLaughlin; Ara, Rachel and Serena Hovnanian; Heather, Steven, Dylan, Emma and Player Mnuchin; Annabel Darling; Chris and Nicholas Errico; Caroline, Carlin and Fayre Smith; Nancy, and Sloane Sambuco; Carolina and Annabelle Addison; Isabel Villalba; Kathy, Sophie and Andrew Thomas; Andrew and Emmeline Heaney; Lisa, Isabelle and Charlie Gorrivan; Brooke and Avery Egerton-Warburton; Allie, Kevin, Wyn, Stuyvie and Avery Coleman. Additional attendees included FAO Schwarz CEO Ed Schmults and his wife Anna; E.A. and Sloane Kratzman; Beth Foley; Jill Schwartz; Beth Ostrosky; Katherine Straub; Phil, Alexandra and Charlotte Fisher; Kate Spade; Anastasia, Alex and Annick Coleman; Jennifer and Braden, Jr. Keil; Cathy, Kevin, Parker and Caitlin Lorenz; Barrett and Kate Pickett; Mia, Chris and Robert Morris; Deborah and William Kanabis; Paige and Annabelle Rustum; Lillian and Tessa Rose Stern; Claudia, Gunnar, Taylor and Gunnar, Jr. Overstrom; Kristina, Arthur and Arthur, Jr. Ward; Nicholas, Caroline, Catherine, Clementine and Cosima Toms; Anne, Fred and Harry Randell, Kimberly, Pricilla and Sam Putzer; Noddy, Additional support for the evening was given by Morgan Stanley, Chorion and Mrs. John L. Strong, who designed a beautiful new logo, invitation and coloring book for this year's Bunny Hop. "The Society Kids Kick in Committee” made up of children of members of the Associates and Board of The Society of MSKCC and their friends, carried buckets for their “Every Penny Counts” campaign.  They collected a whopping $1,000 in “spare change” to rent tuxedos and dry clean dresses for the Pediatric Prom coming up in June at The Center. Three cheers for The Society’s Olivia Striffler and her team who put it all together again.

Christina Addison, Christina Smith, Lisa Errico, Donald, Barron and Melania Trump, and Elizabeth Fuller

Priscilla Putzer and Leta Giordano

Susie Hilfiger and Win Coleman

Lisa and Nicholas Errico

Christina, Anabelle, Carolina, and Anthony Addison

Fuller Family

Lisa Errico, Christina Addison, and Elizabeth Fuller

Melania Trump and The Associates Committee

The Putzer Family

Anna and Ed Schmults

The Darlings

Clifford The Big Red Dog, Peter Rabbit, and Noddy

The Smith Family

The Overstrom Family

The Creels

Chloe and Christina Vita Coleman

The Astons and The Lufkins

Somers Farkas, Roman Keitel, and Daphna Kastner

DeJuan Stroud

Laughing Pizza

Allegra, Sallie, and Leta Giordano

The Carey Family

Bracie and Ashleigh Aston with Aster Lee Lufkin

Allegra Tennebaum and Emma Brofman

The Coleman Family

Aubrienne Krysiewicz-Bell

Bell Family

The Ettelsons

The Stubgen Family

Susie Hilfiger and the McLaughlin Family

The Gorrivan Family

The Toms Family

Chloe and Christina Vita Coleman

Beth Ostrosky

Wendy Carduner and Mary Darling

Will, Stella, and Cece Jacob

Maria and Isabel Villalba

The Morris Family

Little Bunnies

Madeline and Hugh McLaughlin

Emily Post and Katlean Demonchy

Ashleigh, Muffie Potter, and Bracie Aston

The Thursday before last, Marvin Hamlisch in Recital celebrated the site acquisition for the expansion for The New York Synagogue at the home of Dr. Mona Ackerman of 1020 Fifth Avenue with an encore piano recital and dinner. In the summer of 1992, the award-winning composer of more than 40 film scores performed at the celebration of the site acquisition for The Hampton Synagogue, now one of the most celebrated synagogues in the country. “What a rare privilege to build a new synagogue in the heart of New York City,” said Rabbi Marc Schneier, the spiritual leader and founding Rabbi of The New York Synagogue.  The affiliate of The Hampton Synagogue is building its new complex at 124 East 58th Street, off Park Avenue. Established in 2003, the synagogue already enjoys a worldwide reputation as an extraordinary spiritual, cultural and educational center. The New York Synagogue is purchasing the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Building, where services are now held. After renovations, The New York Synagogue will have a new larger sanctuary with seating for 500 people, a chapel for daily services, a full-service catering facility and lecture halls for performances and classes. Marvin Hamlisch in Recital was orchestrated by the chairs of the event, Barbara and Irvin Goldman. The co-chairs were Sandra Cahn, Jerilyn Kronen, Risa Pulver and Adam Tantleff.

Cantor Naftali Hershtik, Dr. Mona Ackerman, Rabbi Marc Schneier, Sandy Cahn, and Risa Pulver

Tobi Rubenstein-Schneier, Marvin Hamlisch, and Rabbi Marc Schneier

Gail and Michael Weisbrod

Irv and Barbara Goldman, Adam Tantleff, Marvin Hamlisch, Dr. Mona Ackerman, Rabbi Marc Schneier, Sandy Cahn, Risa Pulver, and Dr. Jerilyn Kronen

Dr. Jerilyn Kronen, Risa Pulver, Irv Goldman, Barbara Goldman, and Sandy Cahn

Adam Tantleff, Marvin Hamlisch, Dr. Mona Ackerman, and Rabbi Marc Schneier

The Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. National Physician of the Year Awards was held at The Pierre.  Doctors. Delos M. Cosgrove, Joseph G. McCarthy, and Patrick C. Walsh each received the Clinical Excellence Award.  Delos M. Cosgrove, M.D. is the CEO of The Cleveland Clinic. Joseph G. McCarthy, M.D. is the Director of the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU.  Patrick C. Walsh, M.D. is the University Distinguished Service Professor and Director of Urology at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Maria Delivoria-Papadopoulos, M.D. for her 50 years of medical practice and research.  Her steadfast dedication to at-risk newborns has earned her recognition as a leader in the field of neonatal and perinatal medicine.  As Professor of Pediatrics, Physiology and Obstetrics/Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine and Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Dr. Delivoria-Papadopoulos has expanded the science of neonatology and continues to make significant and lasting contributions to the health of the world’s children through her groundbreaking research.  Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove, and John K. Castle Nancy G. Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, received this year’s National Health Leadership Award for her 25 years of work providing information, research, and treatment of breast cancer.  Since its inception in 1982, theKomen Foundation has provided funding for basic, clinical and translational breast cancer research and for innovative projects in the areas of breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment. David A. Kessler, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine and the Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at the University of California and the former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was the keynote speaker for the evening.  Jay Adlersberg, M.D., from WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is America’s trusted source for identifying top doctors. Founded in 1991 by John K. Castle, (Chairman) and John J. Connolly, Ed.D. (President and CEO), who served as board chairman, and president and CEO of New York Medical College, respectively, its mission is to help consumers find the best healthcare. They achieve that mission through their consumer books – such as America’s Top Doctors® – their web site and various consumer and business-oriented print and online partnerships. Castle Connolly’s valuable top doctors information can also be found online at its website, www.castleconnolly.com and on other affiliated websites.

Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., Dr. David A. Kessler, and John K. Castle

Rosanna and John S. Castle

Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, and John K. Castle

Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., and John K. Castle

Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove, Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy, Dr. Maria Delivoria-Papadopolous, John K. Castle, and Dr. David A. Kessler

Alexa Haven and Tom Riles

Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove, Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy, Dr. Maria Delivoria-Papadopolous, and Dr. David A. Kessler

Dr. John J. Connolly, Dr. Maria Delivoria-Papadopolous, and John K. Castle

Dr. John J. Connolly, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, and John K. Castle

Leighton Smith, Jonnette Smith, and Dr. Mike Roizen

John K. Castle, Dr. Jay Adlersberg, and Dr. John J. Connolly

Eric Brinker and Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker

Mary Walsh and Dr. Patrick C. Walsh

Dr. Sherrell Aston and Muffie Potter Aston

Eric Brinker, Margot Sandenberg, Dr. Bill Liss-Levinson, and Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker

Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy and Dr. Sherrell Aston

Karlan McCarthy, Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy, and Cara McCarthy Hutchins

Tara Lansen, Thomas Lansen, and Ingrid Connolly

Dr. John J. Connolly and Ingrid Connolly

Nicole Cosgrove, Anita Cosgrove, Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove, and Britt Cosgrove

Photographs by ©Patrick McMullan