January 31
Born Today:
Bruce Marks
Dancer/choreographer Bruce Marks (1937-) performed in his younger years with modern dancer Pearl Lang (1921-2009) and was the mentee of choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987), who convinced him to join the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in the 1950s. Marks danced with ABT in the 1960s and the Royal Danish Ballet in the 1970s before retiring from performing in 1976, taking on the role of co-artistic director of Ballet West in Utah, at the request of founder William Christensen (1902-2001). Marks joined the Boston Ballet as artistic director in the 1980s and stepped down in 1988 to devote his energies to dance advocacy.
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Also Born Today: Song and dance man Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) performed in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway from 1917-1927 and popularized many songs on film, radio, and TV, including “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “If You Knew Susie”.
Dance Premiere: Revelations in 1960