April 18
Born Today:
Lois Greenfield
Photographer Lois Greenfield (1949-) changed the way we look at dance photography. Her work is instantly recognizable, featuring dancers caught in midair and we have her to thank for showing how immediate and vital movement can be, even in the static pages of a book. Check out her online galleries and prepare to be amazed.
Also Born Today: Early ballet dancer Gaetan Vestris (1729 – 1808) danced at the Paris Opera and was the father of dancer Auguste Vestris (1760-1842). Dancer Louis Milon (1766-1849), who was the assistant ballet master to choreographer Pierre Gardel (1758-1840) and created works of his own, including Pygmalion (1799). Ballerina Marcia Haydée (1937-) danced with the Stuttgart Ballet and has been the director of the Santiago Ballet since 1992. Dancer Vladimir Vasiliev (1940-) was married to ballerina Ekaterina Maximova (1939-2009) and directed the Bolshoi Ballet from 1995-2000. Contemporary ballet choreographer Mats Ek (1945-), who inherited the Cullberg Ballet from his mother Birgit Cullberg (1908-1999). Film choreographer Kenny Ortega (1950) is best known for choreographing Dirty Dancing (1987) and directing the movie version of Newsies (1992).
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Ballet Premiere: Fancy Free in 1944
Broadway Premiere: Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002