RUSSIAN BALLET THE TOAST OF GOTHAM

Ballet-mania has struck Gotham.

The Gotham City social scene's heart has been set aflutter as they host the beautiful women of the world-renowned Russian Ballet Company.

Reports of dancers mingling with the hoi polloi at a number of local clubs and restaurants seem to have helped create Gotham's ballet-mania. The city's poshest establishments have been actively courting the ladies and the entourage that tails them.

One maitre'd at the trendy spot RAW told GCN, "If you land the ballet you're landing half the hot, young, local celebrities, too. It's like being the hot new bar in town all over again."

The biggest attraction seems to be prima ballerina Natascha Patrenko, who will be making her American debut.

"I want to thank all of Gotham for making us feel so at home," said Patrenko.

The Russian Ballet visit will also boost the reputation of Gotham's Grand Opera House, which has been criticized for lackluster productions.

The Grand Opera House has already sold out for every one of the ballet's shows there. And that makes the theater's board of directors very happy.

"I have to say, this kind of success comes as a welcome sigh of relief for us," said Grand Opera House chief manager Ned Striker-Joffrins. "We were facing a terrible debt but we may have beat the bullet with these incredible ticket sales for the Russian Ballet."

Arnold Sayers, booking manager at the Opera House: "It's been an astonishing turn-around. One day I couldn't get anyone on the phone, and the next it's mine that's ringing off the hook!"

Perhaps most astonishing is that it's a ballet that's causing so much buzz.

"People have been so starved for great live arts performances in this city, but no one realized just how much until now," said Striker-Joffrins.