Minnelli, Neuwirth, Ziemba and More Featured in That's Entertainment Gala for Dancers, Oct. 24
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 10, 2005
The Gala will feature some world premieres that are especially created for the show: an opening featuring Mr. Wiggles, World Cup Shooting Stars All Star Cheerleading, the ABT Studio Company and others staged by the Gala producer & director Ann Marie DeAngelo; "Martha Addresses A Century of Dance" with Richard Move and recreations of Balanchine, Isadora Duncan, Sally Rand, DeMille and Graham; "Steppin' Out" choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler featuring singers and dancers; and "The Last Mambo" choreographed and danced by Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith featuring Dance Times Square. Robert Mikulski is the gala Musical Director and it is written by Deborah Grace Winer.
The Gala, which will be presented by Rolex, "will pay homage to dance as entertainment in our culture - a lively jubilee that highlights a variety of styles from ballet to Broadway to break dance – with a side order of circus arts for fun," according to press notes. The show will be produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo, with Robert Mikulski as musical director; it will be written by Deborah Grace Winer. As in the past, the Gala will feature some world premieres that are especially created for the show. The spectacular evening will include Polly Bergen, Marge Champion, Sandy Duncan, Mercedes Ellington, Lypsinka, Malcolm McDowell, Michael Moschen, Richard Move, Bebe Neuwirth, Donald Saddler, Jason Samuels Smith, Ben Vereen, Mr. Wiggles, Karen Ziemba and artists from American Ballet Theatre, ABT Studio Company, The Big Apple Circus, Cirque du Soleil, Complexions featuring Desmond Richardson, Crazy Legs & Rock Steady Crew with DJ Slynkee, Dance Times Square, The Joffrey Ballet, Momix, and the World Cup Shooting Stars All Star Cheerleading and others. (Artists and the program are subject to change).
There will be three honorees for this year's Gala. The Rolex Dance Award will be given to: The Joffrey Ballet in recognition of its 50th Anniversary Celebration and to its Co-Founder and Artistic Director Gerald Arpino. There will be two Baccarat's Career Transition For Dancers' Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance: They will be presented to the Harkness Foundation for Dance - "for unwavering commitment and support for dance presenting organizations, service organizations, dance companies, choreographers and dancers;" and to Lewis S. Ranieri, chairman American Ballet Theatre - "for his passion, love and respect for dance and dancers."
Minnelli is the winner of three Tony Awards, an Oscar, a golden Globe and an Emmy. She won a Theatre World Award for Best Foot Forward, Tony Awards for Flora, the Red Menace and The Act, and a Special Tony Award in 1974. She was nominated for an Oscar for The Sterile Cuckoo, and won the Oscar and the Golden Globe Award for the film version of Cabaret, directed by Bob Fosse. The daughter of Judy Garland, her other Broadway credits include The Rink, Chicago and Victor/Victoria, and she has also been seen on film in New York, New York, Arthur and others.
The annual event is a benefit for Career Transition For Dancers. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, CTFD has helped over 3,000 professional dancers identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option.
Gala tickets are $550 & $1,000 each, which include the performance and a post-performance 'Anniversary Waltz Supper with the Stars', auction and dancing at the Metropolitan Ballroom Sheraton New York. Sponsorships and tables are also available. For gala tickets please call Gary Tigner at (212) 764-0172. Show only tickets are on sale by calling CityTix (212) 581-1212 / www.citycenter.org and at the new York City Center Box Office for $125; $75; $55 & $45. Visit www.careertransition.org for more information.
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