December 30
Born Today:
Russ Tamblyn
Russ Tamblyn (1934-) is probably best known for his role in West Side Story (1961) and now as the father of Amber Tamblyn (1983-), but his best role was youngest brother Gideon Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), jumping over the axe handle.
Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Nikolai Legat (1869-1937), who performed with the Russian Imperial Ballet from 1888 to 1914. Both he and his younger brother, Sergei Legat (1875-1905) became ballet masters. Postmodern choreographer Kei Takei (1946-) created a series of pieces called Light. American dancer/choreographer William Forsythe (1949-) creates works pairing dance and visual arts with Ballet Frankfurt and his own company. Ballerina Aesha Ash (1977-) helped to break the color barrier in ballet, dancing for NYCB, Bejart Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet before becoming the first black female faculty member at the School of American Ballet in 2020.
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Dance Premiere: Appalachian Spring in December 1944
Broadway Premiere: Kiss Me Kate in 1948