By Ligia Fernandez
To access past Entertainers columns, click on the Entertainers archive
link to the left.
July 2009
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Source:
Humorinthenews.com
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Cyd Charisse
(1922 - 2008)
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The lady who made her mark on MGM musicals with her trademark
long legs and graceful, sensuous dance style was born Tula Finklea in
Amarillo, TX. At age 13, she began her life-long
dance career with the distinguished Ballet Russe, touring with them
throughout Europe and the U.S. until the start of World War II forced the
company to disband. While with the company, she married her former
dance teacher Nico Charise. Although the marriage ended in divorce,
she kept a variation of her ex-husband's surname (coupled with her brother's
nickname for her) as her permanent professional name.
A brief, but notable, appearance in the Columbia Pictures
musical SOMETHING TO SHOUT OUT ABOUT lead to her signing a contract with
MGM. She went on partner with two of MGM's biggest dance talents, Gene
Kelly and Fred Astaire, in string of hit musicals -- THE BAND WAGON,
BRIGADOON and SILK STOCKINGS to name a few.
With the decline of the movie musical during the 1950s,
she appeared on the nightclub circuit performing with her second husband,
crooner Tony Martin, and in small guest roles in TV dramas and sitcoms.
At the age of 70, she made her Broadway debut as tragic
ballerina Grushinskaya in GRAND HOTEL. |
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Source:
Playbill.com |
Matt Cavenaugh
(1978 - ) |
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Although a relative newcomer to the Broadway scene, Matt
Cavenaugh already has four musicals on his resume, including his current
role of Tony in the revival of the iconic WEST SIDE STORY.
He made his Broadway debut as Bud Davis, the role made famous
by John Travolta, in the musical version of URBAN COWBOY (2003). He was then
cast in the double role of Jerry and Joe Kennedy Jr. in the "Two Eydies"
musical GREY GARDENS (2006), followed by bridegroom Ralph Halloran in
poignant family musical A CATERED AFFAIR (2008). He also appeared as
Jimmy Smith in the national tour of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE.
His screen credits include the TV soaps AS THE WORLD TURNS
(Adam Munson) and ONE LIFE TO LIVE (Mark Solomon), and the indie films
SEXUAL DEPENDENCY and NEW BROOKLYN. |
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Next update to this page: Sunday, August 2, 2009 |
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