Choreographer Arte Phillips Dies at 49

Broadway choreographer and champion dancer Arte Phillips died on November 12 in Philadelphia at age 49.

Arte was an established Theatrical Dance Champion, Instructor, Performer, Choreographer, and Director. He performed in several Broadway shows such as Tommy Tune's "Grand Hotel", "Victor Victoria" with Julie Andrews, "Once Upon a Mattress" with Sarah Jessica Parker, the original workshop of "Fosse" and as a dancer and Associate Choreographer for the Broadway production "Swing". Arte was The United States Ballroom Champion, 5-time Star Search Finalist and winner of the "Gypsy of the Year" (Best of Broadway). As a choreographer Arte's romantic and sweet-tempered work was theatrically persuasive. A review by John Kenrick (Author of Musicals101.com) said, "Arte Phillips's fine choreography for Victor Victoria at the Papermill Playhouse was miles ahead of the Broadway version, making "Le Jazz Hot" and other numbers genuinely exciting." Joseph Bowen was quoted to say, "...along with excellent ballroom choreography by Arte Phillips, gave this show 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom' the polish it deserves."

His web site's memorial states that "Arte was a bright light which glowed through his unpretentious, gentle spirit touching everyone he knew and met. He was dearly loved and admired by his family, friends, and professional colleagues. The dance world has lost a beautiful person and a great talent. As he dances in heaven remember his favorite saying from Fred Astaire, "I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around."

Survived in death by his mother and father Elizabeth and Lee Halbreich, his sister and brother Pam and Chris Scheidemann. Preceded by his biological father, Carson Scheidemann and his surviving wife Pat Scheidemann.

In respect to Arte, a private memorial service was held on November 14, 2008 in Philadelphia by members of the family. A tribute to the life of Arte Phillips will be held sometime in Jan/Feb 2009 in his honor. An on-line memorial has been created on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1640178459 for expressions of sympathy, and to share your memories, photos, videos."

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