Immortal Icons of Dance

Ep. 35 Jim Borstelmann on Ann Reinking & Chicago

Chicago is celebrating 30 years on Broadway! To celebrate, I’m releasing a special series of 6 episodes featuring artists who have been part of the Chicago family for d

Ep. 34 Erzsébet Földi on Ann Reinking

In this episode I speak with Erzsébet (Liz) who was a ballet student at the School of American Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine when she auditioned to play

Ep. 33 Suzanne Charny on Fosse and The Frug

In this episode I’m speaking with Suzanne Charny who is known as "The Ponytail Girl" in Fosse's "Rich Man's Frug" in the 1969 film Sweet Charity. Suzanne began her profes

Ep. 32 Virginia Johnson on Arthur Mitchell

In this episode I interview Virginia Johnson, one of the original members of Dance Theatre of Harlem. where she became a principal dancer and performed around the world f

Ep. 31 Jim Huntley on His Dance Career

In this episode I speak to Jim Huntley, a vibrant 93-year-old dancer, choreographer, director, and producer. Jim’s career spans more than seven decades, from dancing alon

Ep. 30 Lisa Mordente on Chita Rivera and Chicago

In this episode, Lisa Mordente talks about meeting Bob Fosse as a teenager, and watching her mother, Chita Rivera, rehearse and perform in Chicago (1975). Lisa was the fi

Ep. 29 Marsha Bagwell on Chicago

In this episode, Marsha Bagwell tells us about her time in the original cast of Chicago (1975) as the standby for Matron Mama Morton and Mary Sunshine. Marsha became Gwen

Ep. 28 Lenora Nemetz on Chicago

In this episode, Lenora Nemetz discusses working with Bob Fosse as the standby for both Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in Chicago (1975). She recalls going on for Gwen as "

Ep. 27 Pamela Sousa on Chicago & A Chorus Line

In this episode, we hear from Pamela Sousa who was an ensemble member in the original cast of Bob Fosse's 1975 musical Chicago, starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. Lat

Ep. 26 Jessica Lee Goldyn on A Chorus Line

In the episode, Jessica Lee Goldyn discusses her early experiences learning A Chorus Line as a child, training with Baayork Lee and Donna McKechnie, and performing Cassie

Ep. 25 Charlotte d'Amboise on A Chorus Line

In this episode Charlotte d'Amboise reminisces about her year as Cassie in the 2006 Broadway revival of a Chorus Line. She talks about being inspired by Donna McKechnie,

Ep. 24 Robyn Hurder on A Chorus Line

In this episode, Robyn Hurder discusses how A Chorus Line has affected the trajectory of her career--from seeing the show as a nine-year-old, to performing in the 2006 re

Ep. 23 Donna McKechnie on A Chorus Line

In this episode Donna McKechnie speaks about her early inspirations, her personal and professional relationship with Michael Bennett, and her reflections of 50 years of A

Ep. 22 - Mitzi Hamilton on A Chorus Line

In this episode Mitzi Hamilton discusses her long association with Michael Bennett's A Chorus Line which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Mitzi was one of the t

Ep. 21 Baayork Lee on Michael Bennett & A Chorus Line

In this episode Baayork Lee discusses her early career on Broadway (starting at age 5!), her working relationship with Michael Bennett, and how she has worked to preserve

Ep. 20 Debbie Allen on Chita Rivera

In this episode we hear from Debbie Allen on her relationship with Chita Rivera. Chita originated the role of 'Anita' in West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. In 1980, whe

BONUS Alexandra Danilova with Jennifer Fuchs Nathanson

In this bonus episode we will hear a previously unreleased 1982 interview between Alexandra Danilova, and 13-year-old School of American Ballet student, Jennifer Fuchs. J

Ep. 19 John Clifford on Alexandra Danilova

In this episode, former New York City Ballet dancer, John Clifford, tells us about his friendship with the great Russian ballerina, Alexandra Danilova. Madame Danilova (k

Ep. 18 Diana White on Maria Tallchief

In this episode, Diana White, a former NYCB dancer recalls what it was like receiving her early ballet training from Maria Tallchief in Chicago. Diana took the lessons sh

Ep. 17 Nancy Reynolds on Balanchine's Legacy

In this episode we speak with author and dance researcher Nancy Reynolds on her lifetime of work preserving the work of George Balanchine. Nancy attended the School of Am