March 21
Born Today:
Jiří Kylián
Contemporary dance choreographer Jiří Kylián (1947-) studied at the Royal Ballet and danced for the Stuttgart Ballet in 1968, and began choreographing shortly afterwards. In 1976 he became the artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theatre and produced some of his finest works including Stamping Ground (1983), inspired by Aboriginal dancers, and Falling Angels (1989), influenced by minimalism as an artistic practice. He directed NDT until 1999, adding a junior company, and continued choreographing for the company for another 10 years.
Also Born Today: “The Great” Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. (1867-1932) was a Broadway impresario who produced a series of revue-style stage spectaculars bearing his name from 1907-1931. His show featured a chorus of elaborately costumed showgirls and he furthered the career of many stars including dancers Marilyn Miller (1898-1936) and Ann Pennington (1893-1971).
-----
Movie: Thoroughly Modern Millie released in 1967