January 23
Born Today:
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera (1933-) was the original Velma Kelly in the Broadway premiere of Chicago in 1975 and starred in many other stage musicals including West Side Story (1957) and Bye Bye Birdie (1960). Not many dancers get their own Broadway biography musical, but Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life premiered in 2005. And not many get the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but she did in 2009.
Also Born Today: Choreographer and modern dance technique creator Lester Horton (1906-1953), whose sudden death led company member Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) to relocate to NYC and found his own company and keep the Horton Technique alive. Ballet dancer/choreographer Nina Anisimova (1909-1979) studied under Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951) and danced many roles at the Kirov before becoming a choreographer. Rod Alexander (1920-1992) co-choreographed the movie version of Carousel (1956) and for other Broadway shows as well.
-----
Dance Premiere: Le Corsaire in 1856