December 1
Born Today:
Alicia Markova
Born Alicia Marks (1910-2004), British ballerina Alicia Markova added the ending to sound more Russian when she danced with the original Ballets Russes, a common practice to lend credibility to talented dancers not born in Russia. Later, she helped ballet become more established in her native England and it is said that her performance in Giselle gave people the Wilis. Ba dum bum...ting. I’ll be here all week.
Also born today: French ballerina Violette Verdy (1933-2016), who danced primarily with NYCB for 20 years.
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Broadway Premieres: Flower Drum Song in 1958 and Promises, Promises in 1968