Christopher Wheeldon

Who are your favorite New Yorkers?
Christopher Wheeldon: Mario Batali—he makes New York taste so good. Peter Gelb, a pioneer in making the classical arts resonant to a new audience. He makes New York sound really good. And Woody Allen. Does anyone make New York look better on film?

What is your favorite place or thing in New York?
Christopher Wheeldon: The rocks on the boat-pond in Central Park with that awesome view of the skyline framed and reflected back in the water.

What’s the biggest thing that happened to the city in the past 13 years?
Christopher Wheeldon: September 12—watching the people of this vast metropolis come together and not even think twice about looking to the future. In the arts, I would definitely say Peter Gelb at the Met, who has brought opera to the masses without lowering the integrity of the art. The opening night of Madame Butterfly was huge, with the live broadcast in Times Square.

What’s your personal favorite moment in New York?
Christopher Wheeldon: The opening night of the first ballet for the New York City Ballet at the beautiful New York State Theater. A proud and terrifying moment.

What’s the future of New York?
Christopher Wheeldon: Manhattan continues to grow physically, which is a bit of a worry. How much more can we pack on this little piece of land? Is it me or do the other major cities in the U.S. seem to be going green much faster?

If you could have a drink with anyone else on this Top 40 list, who would it be?
Christopher Wheeldon: Amy Sedaris. Who doesn’t want to snort with laughter over a martin

What does Time Out mean to you?
Christopher Wheeldon: Time Out keeps me informed. It’s the first thing I pick up when I land in New York or London. It is pretty much an entertainment bible.

Complete this sentence: New York is…
Christopher Wheeldon: New York was just the place I lived. New York is now home.

Next: Tina Fey >

The New York 40: