March 29
Born Today:
Diana Adams
Ballerina Diana Adams (1926-1993) danced with ABT in the 1940s and with NYCB from 1950-1963, creating roles in some of the best known ballets by George Balanchine 1904-1983), including Western Symphony (1954) and Stars and Stripes (1958). Perhaps her most noteworthy pairing was in the pas de deux section of Balanchine’s Agon (1957), partnering with Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) in an interracial duet - a groundbreaking feat rarely seen onstage at the time. Adams also appeared in the original stage production of Oklahoma! (1943), choreographed by Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) and in the movie Invitation to the Dance (1956), directed by Gene Kelly (1912-1996).
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Broadway Premiere: The King and I in 1951, Newsies in 2012
Movies: George White’s 1935 Scandals released in 1935, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle released in 1939