March 13
Born Today:
Igor Youskevitch
Ballet dancer Igor Youskevitch (1912?-1994) began his training at the age of 20 and made his first appearance onstage shortly afterwards, and in 1937 he joined the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo company. In 1946 he began dancing with ABT and partnered Alicia Alonso (1920-2019), and a decade later he appeared in the film Invitation to the Dance, directed by Gene Kelly (1912-1996). Upon retiring from performing, he taught in the University of Texas dance program from 1971 until 1982.
Also Born Today: Choreographer/dancer Joseph Mazilier (1797-1868), best known for his ballets Paquita (1844) and Le Corsaire (1856), both of which remain in repertory internationally. Impresario René Blum (1878-1942) co-founded the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and died in the Auschwitz camp sometime in 1942. Irina Baronova (1919-2008) was one of the Baby Ballerinas of the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and she appeared in the 2005 Ballets Russes documentary film. Ballet dancer Christopher Gable, (1940-1998) danced for the Royal Ballet in the 1960s before pursuing acting in films such as the musical The Boy Friend (1971). Estonian dancer/choreographer Ülo Vilimaa (1941-2021) performed with the Vanemuine Theatre from 1962–1974, and served as ballet master from 1974–1997. Ballerina Lesley Collier (1947-) also danced with the Royal Ballet and began teaching at the school in 1995.
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Broadway Premiere: Brigadoon in 1947