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Curtain Call/Finale with Tony Sheldon, Carol Lawrence, DO40 Prez John Sefakis and Liliane Montevecchi
THE STORY OF OUR LIVES
Hosted by Carol Lawrence,
DO40 ends the 2012 - 2013 season on the highest note!
Another year, another performance! And another lovely hosting gig by the luscious Carol Lawrence, and featuring new member Liliane Montevecchi, and long-time member Tony Sheldon….and the Paul Taylor Dance company and a Margo Sappington Ballet…and much, much more!
This was one of the most diverse entertainments DO40 has ever produced. The evening was a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Dance for PD® (Parkinson’s Disease), housed at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn. There was tap, jazz, ballet, modern, songs, duets, trios, and comedy… Tonight! (well, last week).
Opening Number: The Story of Our Lives, featuring (l to r on barre: Nicole Barth,
Tom Sinibaldi, Joy Serio Dunbar, Donna Rubin, Stas Kmiec, Michael Gorman,
Elen Fluhr, Troy Barnes; center, Ron Young Marilyn D’honau and Diane Nicole)
The evening was a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Dance for PD® (Parkinson’s Disease), housed at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn. There was tap, jazz, ballet, modern, songs, duets, trios, and comedy… Tonight! (well, last week). Margo Sappington and Mark Stuart provided two outstanding duets, “Fly Me” and “Night and Day,” that wowed the audience with their lifts and fabulous choreography.
Fly Me: Sarah O’Gleby and Adam Perry
Night and Day: Veronika Verterich and Vitali Krauchenka
And to promote DO40’s Legacy Project, hostess Carol Lawrence introduced the G.I. Jive, performed by DO40 members Bambi Jones, Juliet Ewing and Mary Lou Barber. This number, an excerpt from a longer, Johnny Mercer Songbook directed by DO40 member Karin Baker, was performed at the Lilian Booth Actors Home in NJ for their residents. (Choreography by cast member (not shown) Patti Mariano.) The Legacy Project seeks opportunities for DO40 members to perform, do workshops and speak at colleges, universities and arts organizations around the country.
“Guys -- I really didn't anticipate how much fun I would have doing the benefit this year. Thank you for asking me, and let me know if I can ever help again.”
Two different kinds of solos moved the audience in much different ways. Troy Barnes’ 2 Tears in a Bucket was a roller coaster of emotions, while Tony Sheldon lamented in song the travails and pitfalls of the “universal” Dancer over 40.”
Left: Two Tears in a Bucket - Troy Barnes
Right: What’s a Boy Supposed to Do? - Tony Sheldon
DO40 was honored to have the Paul Taylor Dance Company join us this year. The excerpt from “Cloven Kingdom” was impeccably danced by members of his company. A special thank you to Mr. Taylor for his largesse.
Cloven Kingdom: Michael Trusnovec, Robert Kleinendorst, James Samson and Sean Mahoney
For a taste of humor, or as one could describe it, a choreographic comic dialogue, the effervescent Claire Porter (from last year’s “Lady Lamp”) gathered a band of her merry men (and women) for an inside look at air travel, before – or after – the Sequester!
At the Gate: Jim Martin, Matt Buffalo, Susan Thomasson, Claire Porer and Sabatino Verlezza.
Always stunning, the beautiful Karine Plantadit, a new DO40 member, performed an original piece by choreographer Christopher Huggins. Karine performed in both Twyla Tharp shows on Broadway, MOVIN’ OUT and the Sinatra COME FLY AWAY.
Blue Lady: Karine Plantadit
Click here to read the rest of the article on The Story of Our Lives event.
A FUN EVENING OF TAP AND TALK,
HONORING JUNE TAYLOR & THE ROCKETTES!
Members Only - Click here to view 19 Videos of the Event
Click here to view the 74 Photos of this Event
They said it couldn’t be done. They said nobody could do it! Yes, TAP! was back again at St. Luke’s Theater and on the DO40 agenda, filled with performances and panel discussion, with plenty of video…and live “dish” for every dance and theater enthusiast to savour!
The Curtain Call!
Rare 50’s and 60’s footage of the June Taylor Dancers was provided by Craig Horwich, June Taylor’s nephew (Marilyn Taylor was his mother, Jackie Gleason his stepfather). Craig is head of Jackie Gleason Enterprises, and Jackie played an important role in the career of June Taylor. Panelists Mercedes Ellington, Diana Baffa Brill, Jane Defalco, Karen Prunzik and Horwich recalled the days of the June Taylor Dance School on 56th & Broadway, where just about everyone took class – ballet, tap, jazz, modern – you name it.
Setsuko Maruhashi, Kimberley Corp, Eileen Woods, Mary Lilygren Kane,
Katherine Corp and Madeline Jaye
The Rockettes panel – and performers -- stuffed the stage of St. Luke’s like a Carnegie Deli pastrami sandwich! Ann Murphy, Mary Six Rupert, Jean Preece, Jennifer Jiles, Joyce Nolen, Maryelle Scilla, Sandy Scilla Gendell, Jeri Kansas, Dottie Bell, Lillian Colon (the first Latina Rockette), Eileen Woods, Madeline Jaye, Mary Lilygren Kane, Setsuko Maruhashi (the first Asian Rockette), Kimberley Corp and Katherine Corp, six of whom performed a precision and unison dance to, what else? New York, New York!
Go Into Your Dance, with Lee Roy Reams, James Dybas, Karen Prunzik,
Karen Calloway, Kathy Callahan and Gabriela Zucckero
Performances abounded! A snappy Spanish tap number, featuring Linda Rose Iennaco, Barbara Massey and Kathy Conry, a recreation of Go into Your Dance from 42ND STREET, with Lee Roy Reams, Karen Prunzik, James Dybas, Karen Calloway, Kathy Callahan, and Gabriela Zucckero, and the solo, star 11pm slot (at 10:45 – we finished on time!) with Luke Spring, the 9-year old tap prodigy from A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Mary Six Rupert, Jennifer Jiles, Lillian Colon, Maryellen Scilla, Dottie Bell,
Sandy Scilla Gendell, Joyce Nolen, Jeri Kansas, Jean Preece and Ann Murphy!
Kudos to Karin Baker for organizing, compiling and rounding up these bevvy of beauties! Moderators Harvey Evans, Mary Six Rupert and Lee Roy Reams led the panels. And the audience was included in the discussion, with a shout out to the tappers/performers in the audience right before intermission.
June Taylor Panelists Mercedes Ellington, Diana Baffa-Brill,
Craig Horwich, Jane Defalco and Karen Prunzik
Most special moment of the evening: Before Craig Horwich left to fly back to Chicago, he thanked us for honoring his aunt, saying that this is the way she – and his mother -- would like to be remembered, by their peers and fellow dancers. Priceless.
Craig Horwich, with the original Plaque from outside the June Taylor Studio, NYC
…and Dapper Tapper, Luke Spring
Dancers Over 40 is dedicated to preserving the History, Legacy and Lives of our creative community, while sharing the knowledge with the younger generation just beginning their careers. To that end, the event was videotaped and donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at Lincoln Center’s Library for the Performing Arts.
The Lovely Ladies of Spanish Tap: Kathy Conry, Linda Rose Iennaco and Barbara Massey
A Joyous Evening filled with Laughter and Reminiscence
as DO40 Honors its Own – the 2012 Legacy Awards!
From Left ot Right: Larry Fuller, George Marcy, Carol Lawrence,
Lee Roy Reams and Norma Doggett-Bezwick,
CLICK HERE to View 52 Photos of the Event!
For Members: CLICK HERE to see this event on video!!
Another event, another packed house! DO40 presented its fourth annual Legacy Awards at their Holiday Dinner, this year again at the over-the-top LIPS restaurant in NYC. Honorees Norma Doggett-Bezwick, Larry Fuller, Carol Lawrence, George Marcy and Lee Roy Reams felt the warmth waft up to the dais, as speakers Ken Urmston, Leni Anders, Kim Jordan, Billy Goldenberg, Dennis Grimaldi, Richard Skipper, Donna McKechnie and Leslie Uggams sang their praises. Well, there was no singing or dancing, except for a wonderful poem recited by Norma and a Borscht Belt ditty Carol belted out from her early years in the “business…” It was love, love, love, love…. If this restaurant could float, it would be THAT boat!
DO40 President John Sefakis welcomes the audience to the Legacy Awards.
Hosts Harvey Evans and Richard Skipper kept the evening moving along, even with a few (usual) technical glitches and faux pas (that us show biz kids know how to cover – easily!) Video clips were shown of celebs unable to attend who wanted to send their love – Harold Prince, Stefanie Powers and Chita Rivera. Chita also introduced a video montage of the honorees, with clips from Top Banana, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 42nd Street, Evita, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, and many, many more.
Hosts Richard Skipper and Harvey Evans entertain the crowd.
Also in the audience, former Legacy Award winners Gemze de Lappe, Marge Champion, Nicole Barth, Bella Malinka and Richard Korthaze (oh, and Harvey Evans, too!). Members roamed the tables finding old friends they hadn’t seen in decades. And our newest members, Roger Ellis, Bethany Elkin and Mary Callahan don’t even add up to George Marcy’s age! (which we won’t tell!). Our FODO 40 members (friends of Dancers Over 40) are for our young generation of dancers and those who want to join who are not dancers. All three volunteered their services, ushering (Mary Callahan), schlepping the tables and banners (Bethany Elkin) and helping with video editing for the event (Roger Ellis). It’s wonderful to see the younger generation of dancers understand the importance of the history, legacy and lives of our community. They’ll get there! Not next week, but they intend to be ready to inherit the mantle!
Lee Roy Reams looks on as Donna McKechnie speaks about him.
Video clips will be available on our member-only video page here on the website, for all of the card-carrying die-hard members to view over and over! And photos are up on our facebook page and on our website(soon)! DO40 is so fortunate to have a membership of such dedicated people! As Advisory Board member Chita Rivera said in CHICAGO (to paraphrase), We Simply Cannot Do It Alone!
Leslie Uggams’ turn to speak about Lee Roy – in the nicest of terms!
Also in the audience, the audience, producer Arthur Shafman, DO40 member Tony Sheldon (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Jaime Rogers from the original West Side Story, Bick Goss, Karin Baker and hubby Greg Kayne, Betty Jacob, the fabulous Boockvors, Steve and Denise, Joy Serio Dunbar, Teak Lewis, Gene Foote, and cast members from every 1950s, 60s and 70s show imaginable! An impressive crowd. An impressive evening!
DO40 member and Equity VP Kim Jordan, demonstrating the
official Larry Fuller Evita pose. She assisted Larry on many of the tours.
CLICK HERE to View 52 Photos of the Event!
For Members: CLICK HERE to see this event on video!!
BALANCHINE ROCKS!
OH WHAT A NIGHT! A SUPER, EMOTIONALLY-CHARGED,
YOU-HAD-TO-BE-THERE EVENT!
Members ONLY- Click here to see the videos of this wonderful DO40 event!
Everyone: View 105 photos of this event
More ballet artists on hand than you could shake a ballet mistresses' stick at! It was a glorious evening of reminiscing, learning, laughing and reuniting, with artists from over 50 decades of Mr. B's ballets on hand. (Pictured) Moderators Robert Groskevic, Nancy Goldner, Candice Agree, along with Balanchine Trust Director Barbara Horgan and Merrill Ashley, Vida Brown, John Clifford, Gene Gavin, Allegra Kent (takng a mini-nap during the curtain call – it WAS a long evening!), Frank Ohman, Barbara Milberg Fisher, Bettijane Sills, Carol Sumner, Barbara Walzcak and Patricia Wilde (not pictured, Marge Champion). Also on stage for the finale, many audience members eager to share hugs with their peers (including Arthur Mitchell!).
THE ENTIRE CAST AND FRIENDS ON STAGE – AND UPRIGHT –
EXCEPT FOR DO40 BOARD MEMBER MARCUS GALANTE –
TOO EXHAUSTED FROM HIS EVENING’S DUTIES AS HOST AND SVENGALI!
With four panels and a dozen ballet artists, the evening was filled with incredible stories, not just about the dancing, but also about the music and the man himself. Rare film clips of a variety of artists performing the same ballets, there, on stage, to discuss the transitions. Marge Champion, from Balanchine's 1943 Broadway musical "What's Up?" spoke of how he educated his young cast in matters not just dance. Special thanks to Barbara Horgan for her largesse, and to DO40 Board member Marcus Galante for making it all come together. We smell a Balanchine, Part Deux in the air!
PANEL #4 – Merrill Ashley, Frank Ohman, Carol Sumner, Bettijane Sills,
John Clifford, Allegra Kent and moderator Robert Groskevic
Dancers Over 40 was proud to present this special look into the Golden age of 20th Century ballet. And we welcome all the new members! The out pouring of support has been phenominal in just the last 24 hours. There are hundreds of pictures to post - on our website and facebook page and at least a dozen video clips to post on our member-only video page on our website (SOON! We’ll let you know when!). Over 80% of you have renewed for the 2012 - 2013 season. Remember, the discount code/password has been reset for the year! Please make sure your renewal is in the mail. Also, we have received a few memberships in the mail with our old P.O. Box address. Please remember to use our new one! The Post Office will stop the forwarding to our new address on November 1st! (It's been a year already!). Our new address is P.O. Box 2103, NY, NY 10101.
View 105 photos of this event
MORE DO40 NEWS!!
 Our Facebook page continues to be hugely popular, with over 31,000 fans as of this newsletter. Please, look us up at www.facebook.com/dancersover40, post your thoughts, events you think are appropriate for our community, and remember to visit the page often! Our Facebook presence is another way that you and DO40 can continue to promote the History, Legacy and Lives of our members, friends and fans!
We’re always looking for volunteers! DO40 is always on the lookout for members with sales and marketing skills, accounting, fundraising and PR, as well as writing skills. If you think you can help, just call our DO40 Hotline (212-330-7016) and leave a message or email us at dancersover40@aol.com. And please let us know if you think you could contribute to a panel or social event! We can’t possibly know all the talents of our members, so please give us a call or call our Hotline and let us know your interest in our upcoming events. They are always announced yearly, so there is plenty of time to develop ideas and decide on participation. We can’t do it without you! But if we don’t hear from you, we’re hoping you will participate by attending all of our events. And please tell your friends and fellow dancers!
Membership dues are just $45.00 annually for NY/NJ/CT residents and $35.00 out of the area. We now have our member-only site, so it will be increasingly important to be a member – wherever you live. We’re working to get you the best “bang” out of your dance buck in these tough times. This year, the DO40 membership discount code is on the back of your membership card, good for all events and our member only site. Just go to www.dancersover40.org and click on the JOIN/DONATE button where you can pay by credit card with Paypal. You may also download the membership form and mail in a check if you don’t prefer the Paypal option.
 Our ARTSWorkplace page on our website is really working! We had three casting directors call us and post auditions for our members this year! The feedback from those who were chosen was great! If you haven’t sent in a headshot to be posted on ARTSWorkplace, please email or snail mail one as soon as possible. Please include a resume as well, which we will keep on file and not disclose without your approval.
And our Legacy Project is up and running! As you saw from the brochure included in your membership renewal mailing, we have  revived this very important DO40 educational tool. We are looking for those who have teaching, speaking and performance abilities and DO40 will do the promotional outreach to universities, colleges and arts organizations around the nation. So it’s no matter if you are in Missouri (Hi, Billie Mahoney!) or in Hawaii (Hi, Dorothy and Bobbie!), Connecticut (the lovely Carolyn Kirsch) or New Jersey (her partner in CHICAGO crime, Penny Worth), we will promote you and your History, your Legacy and your Lives to educate and entertain in as many venues as we can find!
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN TAP?
TRY CLASSES WITH DO40 MEMBER LINDA ROSE IENNACO!
And bring your DO40 Membership Card for a 10% discount!
Panelist, performer and tap teacher Linda Rose Iennaco has announced her tap classes for the Fall, and is offering DO40 members a 10% discount to all her classes (Jazz, too!) Go to www.danceandfitness.net for more information!
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TAP Intermediate: Tuesdays - 5:30 to 6:30 at Roy Arias Studios, 300 West 43rd St., 5th Floor
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TAP Basics: Wednesdays - 5:30 to 6:30 at Roy Arias Studios
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TAP Advanced: Saturdays - 10:00 to 11:10 at Studios 353, 353 West 48th St. 2nd Floor
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JAZZfitness: Saturdays - 11:15 to 12:25 at Studios 353
Patrick Wenning offers DO40 members Physical Therapy discount
Be sure to read the DO40 News pages which are updated often!
  DO40 continues its ARTSLegacy series honoring all of our members. These written transcripts will also be donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and eventually into a compilation suitable for publishing. This is an added benefit for people who do not live in the tri-state area, or who are in NYC and might not be able to participate in our panels. This month we present Sharon Wendrow (left) and Norma Doggett-Bezwick (right). We invite other DO40 members to volunteer their writing/interviewing skills and join us in this new venture. These interviews can be done by phone, so no need for interviewers to travel – or for members wherever they are in the country to dress up for the interview! Call the DO40 hotline at 212-330-7016 or email us at dancersover40@aol.com if you are interested!
Click Here to read our latest ARTSLegacy interviews!
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