By Ligia Fernandez
Return to Main Entertainers
Archive Page
February 2006
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Gwen Verdon
(1925 - 2000)
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Born in California to a former Vaudeville dancer mother and a
movie studio electrician father, Gwen Verdon lit up Broadway in the 50s and
60s winning a record four Tony awards for her roles in CAN CAN, DAMN
YANKEES, NEW GIRL IN TOWN and REDHEAD. She was also nominated for
originating the roles of Charity Hope Valentine in SWEET CHARITY (losing to
MAME star Angela Lansbury) and Roxie Hart in CHICAGO (losing to Donna
McKechnie of A CHORUS LINE). Also known for her professional and personal
relationship with director/choreographer Bob Fosse, she and Fosse
collaborated on many projects including the film version of DAMN YANKEES
(where she recreated her stage role of seductress Lola), the Oscar-nominated
film ALL THAT JAZZ and the dance musical DANCIN’. They had one child, dancer
Nicole Fosse, in 1966.
She worked steadily as both a dance consultant and a film/TV actress
during the 80s and 90s, mostly notably in the films THE COTTON CLUB and
COCOON. One of her final accomplishments was working alongside daughter
Nicole on the successful Broadway musical FOSSE. On the date of her death,
Oct. 18, 2000, the lights of the Great White Way were dimmed in her memory. |
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Brian Stokes Mitchell
(1957 -) |
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Just when everyone thought the traditional musical leading
man was a thing of the past, along comes Brian Stokes Mitchell. Following
a powerful Tony-nominated performance as doomed pianist Coalhouse Walker in
RAGTIME, he went on to equally well-received roles in the revivals of KISS
ME KATE (winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Circle awards) and MAN OF LA
MANCHA as well as the City Center "Encores" productions of DO RE MI and
CARNIVAL. He and KISS ME KATE co-star Marin Mazzie will be starring in
another Encores presentation, KISMET, Feb. 9-12, 2006.
A favorite among symphony orchestras and concert halls across the
country, his cabaret debut LOVE/LIFE: A LIFE IN SONG was presented to
critical acclaim at both Feinstein’s at the Regency and Lincoln Center’s
Vivian Beaumont Theatre in 2005.
His TV appearances include a seven-year stint on the 80s TV series
TRAPPER JOHN as Dr. Jackpot Jackson and guest spots on THE LOVE BOAT,
FRASIER, CROSSING JORDAN and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR. He lives with his
wife, dancer Allyson Tucker, and son in New York City. |
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