Mystery Night Theater

Murder is a rather tired theme for a party. Murder à la Alfred Hitchcock is a whole different story. Case in point: The New World Symphony tapped into the mysterious allure of the director’s signature films for the motif of its second annual gala at the New World Center. After cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests moved to the main theater where Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas and then Conducting Fellow Joshua Gersen led the orchestra through a program highlighting music from Hitch’s films as scenes from said movies played above them. After the concert, guests were ushered into various areas of the center for dinner, which were named and themed after Hitchcock features. “I didn’t get The Birds,” said banker Alan Randolph. “I think I’m in North by Northwest.” Three courses, lots of wine and a slew of impromptu performances later, black-tied guests, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Louis Aguirre, Marvin Ross Friedman and Adrienne bon Haes, moved back to the main performance hall, which was transformed into a 1940s jazz club complete with a live swing band. “I have to do a Hitchcock movie night soon,” said Steven Rodriguez. “His stuff really holds up.” Photography by Manny Hernandez & Robin Hill