The Legacy Award Honorees with Richard Skipper (Carol Channing) and President John Sefakis. The Honorees, left to right are Margery Beddow, Marge Champion, Nicole Barth, Gemze de Lappe and Billie Mahoney
Dancers over 40 proudly honored Nicole Barth, Margery Beddow, Marge Champion, Gemze de Lappe and Billie Mahoney -- five women whose careers, lives and deeds have exceeded expectations and whose contributions to the art of dance have been considerable.
They come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a special charm, a diverse dance history, and a story to tell. They have shared their History, their Legacy and their Lives with Dancers Over 40 over the years, volunteered for us, and just plain made the world a better place for being here.
Swing 46 was packed to overflowing December 13th, with members, friends of Dancers over 40 and many new faces from the Broadway, modern and ballet community all gathered to honor their own. Oleg Bariansky and his wife (new members), were present, as well as Sondra Lee, Harvey Evans, Luigi, Mary Jane Houdina, Louisa Flaningam, Bick Goss, Carolyn Kirsch, Penny Worth, Rudy Tronto in from LA, Garold Gardener (who’s never in town for a DO40 event!) Teak Lewis, Lee Hooper, Gene Foote, Frank Pietri, Geye Bayliss, Ron Young, Jed Danforth, Kathy Conry (gearing up for the DO40 No No, Nanette reunion in the Fall!) Bill Guske, Judy McGrath, Karin Baker, Lois Silk, Dick Korthaze, Mary Lou Barber, Larry Merritt, Jane Klain – we could go on for paragraphs!
The honorees were surprised when guests came up to speak about them – Harvey Evans and Sondra Lee for Marge Champion; Ron Young and Gene Bayliss for Nicole Barth; Ricci Adan and Dennis Cole for Gemze de Lappe; Luigi and Larry Stevens for Billie Mahoney and Luigi and Pam Saunders, Marge Beddow’s daughter, for Marge.
Guest Hostess with the most-est, Carol Channing (Richard Skipper, photo right) had the house howling with laughter, and sang two songs to the honorees. Carol told stories about how Marge Champion was responsible for starting her career in a show directed by Gower Champion and led the audience in a Happy Birthday to Margery Beddow (Dec 13th!) as well. (Richard Skipper was SO good, it took a little while for Luigi, left, to realize that it wasn’t REALLY Carol Channing!) As usual, video clips from this event will be on our youtube channel, www.youtube.com/dancersover40, and a copy of the video will be donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts.
The honorees were presented with beautiful Lucite awards, embedded with the new Dancers Over 40 Legacy Awards Logo, their name and DO40’s motto, “Our History…Our Legacy…Our Lives,” designed by graphic artist Eric Perry, who also designed DO40’s new logo. Since this was DO40’s first-ever awards presentation, the surprise factor was very high. Honorees didn’t know whom of their friends were coming, or even speaking. A gorgeous cake was commissioned, with the Legacy Awards logo inscribed on it, and the honorees took with them separate small cakes with their names on them. They all were made by pasteries master Elizabeth Adam, who coincidentally, has a six degrees of separation/coincidence with Marge Champion: her grandmother was Marge Champion’s voice teacher!
The room was decorated by Swing 46, and table accessories and flowers designed by board members Lawrence Merritt and Karin Baker. As always, the hardest gig of the evening was at the door, where board members Lois Silk, Kathy Seng Gurland, Gregg Mayer and Mary Lou Barber had extra work, as Swing 46 was not prepared for the DO40 onslaught, and many members were in line and on the street waiting to get in for what seemed to be an eternity (but it wasn’t quite that…!). Special thanks to Mike Strong for video and photos, as well as Alexandra Corazza, who is a free-lance photographer for Thirteen/WNET. Marcus Galante gallantly tried to shoot video from the back of the house, amidst the whirling dervishes of wait staff and roaming guests. Emcee Richard Skipper donated his services for the event, and for that Dancers Over 40 is extremely grateful. It takes waaay more than a village to produce the DO40 Legacy Awards!
Our Legacy Audience
Dancers over 40 have many, many members to whom this honor can be bestowed. We’ve just started the journey this year, and will continue this process with the Men of DO40 in December, 2010. We will be honoring our members outside the NY/NJ/CT area as well, and members who have not traveled the traditional path in the dance world. You dance. You live. You create. Our members have done it all. And we salute them.
DO40’s The Unsinkable Peter Gennaro Scores Big
At St. Luke’s Theater
An October 19th Love Fest for Peter Gennaro!
Members, old friends and new faces came together to honor director/ choreographer Peter Gennaro October 19th, and the raves keep pouring in! The show featured video clips thrown up on a faux television screen, to honor Peter’s TV work, with posters of all his Broadway shows scattered around the set. A sextet of Gennaro dancers performed a portion of one of Peter’s most popular numbers, and like Pajama Game (that gave Peter his first big boost) and 42nd Street – the show had to go on with one of our prize dancers out sick. Co-host Lee Roy Reams fell ill late Monday, so DO40 Pres. John Sefakis stood in for him as co-host with Carol Lawrence and performed in the dance number!
(l. to r.: Liza Gennaro, Carol Lawrence, Chita River, & Moderator Harvey Evans
discuss Peter Gennaro’s contribution to West Side Story)
Surprises in the audience abounded! Actress and dancer extraordinaire (AND of course Catwoman!) Julie Newmar attended, as did Jacques D’Amboise and documentary filmmaker Rick McKay (Broadway’s Golden Years).
Gemze de Lappe, John Sefakis & Julie Newmar
The three panels captivated the audience and panelists (especially Steve Boockvor) had them rolling in the aisles (well, not literally – THAT would not be a good thing at a DO40 event!). Juliet Seignious offered a more serious note to discuss how Peter could not get her on the Perry Como show in the 60s (no blacks allowed), but he did remember her from that audition and called her later and begin a long and fruitful collaboration on the Ed Sullivan and other variety TV shows.
Steve Boockvor, Liza Gennaro, Juliet Seignious, Jean Gennaro (Mrs. Peter Gennaro) and Fiona Evans, Liza Gennaro's daughter
Iva Withers discussed working with Peter in Guys and Dolls when she replaced star Vivian Blaine. Peter put her in the “Take Back Your Mink” number – back in 1950 – 51! Bill Guske and Larry Fuller commented on how generous Peter was in allowing his dancers to grow and take on choreographic duties. And of course, there were the 5, 6, 7, 8 jokes in Peter’s inimitable “accent;” the cute butt jokes and stories about how Peter would choreograph a number by first deciding on the color of the costumes!
A meeting of the Minds – Harvey Evans, Carol Lawrence and Lee Roy Reams, at an early discussion of the Gennaro event at DO40 President John Sefakis’ home. Also attending, his cat, Shafafa, who took an instant liking to Carol – and from the looks of it, to Lee Roy, as well!
Penny Worth discussed how Peter always looked after his dancers and tried to find them work. Gary Gendell got his dance job after a stint in the army! And Nancy Dalton spoke lovingly of Peter’s kindness and professionalism that permeated each and every rehearsal. Never had any of the panelists had such “painless” rehearsals with a choreographer! Act II began with a restaging (by Liza Gennaro) of a portion of Gennaro’s “The Sophisticates,” with Steve Boockvor, Juliet Seignious, Gary Gendell, Nicole Barth, Penny Worth and DO40 Pres. John Sefakis stepping in for Lee Roy Reams. And Act III, well, what fascinating conversation: Chita Rivera, Carol Lawrence, Harvey Evans (all West Side Story alumni) with Liza Gennaro discussing Peter’s participation and choreographic achievements in that landmark musical.
It was an evening of reminiscences and joy, celebrating the History, the Legacy and the Lives of the dancers of Peter Gennaro and honoring Peter’s contribution to the world of dance. And as is DO40’s custom, the program was filmed and the tape donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts.
Co-host Carol Lawrence performed an interlude from “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story to open Act III, and explained how Peter had the idea to use a scarf and how the limitations of the stage forced some choreographic decisions to be made – mostly by Carol! The WSS panel even discussed Peter’s contract and how he received his co-choreographer credit. Peter’s contribution to West Side Story was fairly well known in the theater community, but the general public has never really known how much of the choreography was actually his.
Julie Newmar, Chita Rivera, Steve Boockvor & Carol Lawrence
Louise Quick and George Marcy both in impressive shows
At Don’t Tell Mama!
Gene Foote, Louise Quick
Dick Korthaze, Ken Urmston
Long time members and accomplished actor/singer/ dancers Louise Quick and George Marcy have labored long and hard to present cabaret acts that reflect their History, their Legacy and their Lives. Both performers performed admirably at multiple shows at Don’t Tell Mama in November. They are triple-threat artists who have worked with the biggest and the best in the industry. Both have worked closely with Bob Fosse and almost each and every other important director/choreographer from the latter half of the 20th Century! And that is a helluva lot of History!
Louise Quick and Lovable Larry Merritt
Louise Quick presented a song and mini-dance revue entitled, “Still Just Breezin’ Along,” and George Marcy presented “The Ballad of Georgie Porgie,” a one-man musical comedy/drama. As Angela Lansbury said in Something for Everyone: “Anyone who is Anyone was there!” Celebs like Carol Lawrence, Chita Rivera, Eileen Fulton, Julie Wilson and DO40 members Gene Foote, Dick Korthaze, Ken Urmston (pictured below), as well as Margery Beddow, Gene Gavin, Larry Merritt, DO40 prexy John Sefakis, Gene Bayliss, and Ron Stratton were all there for support – and had a fabulous time at each event.
Chita, Georgie Porgie and Carol Lawrence
Dancers Over 40 is extremely proud of these mature artists, still working and growing, and in their own way, giving back to the new generation of artists out there. It’s very important that we as a group support these talented individuals, and that we get the word out to our younger members – and non-members -- about these very special people. We are extremely proud to be associated with such a wonderful family of artists. DO40 members: PLEASE LET US KNOW WHENEVER or WHEREVER YOU ARE PERFORMING! We’re here to promote you and your work!
DO40 member Teddy Kern, who provided dancers for our Ballroom to Ballroom Spring Fling last August, is offering our members an ongoing, $15.00 discount on dance classes or crash courses in Partner Dancing for Swing, Latin, Tango styles and more (go to info@dancemanhattan.com for dates and times).
No partner is necessary and classes are available at all levels. You must call the studio and leave a message for Teddy Kern (212-807-0802) to request that your name be placed on a “special DO40 discount list.” When you register, you will receive the discount for that month’s classes. Dance Manhattan is located at 39 West 19th Street, 5th Floor (elevator building). Many thanks to Teddy for her generosity and presenting our members with yet another membership perk!
DO40 and Barnes and Noble partner for Dance/Theater Events
Richard Seff book signing with Chita Rivera,
September’s book signing with dancer/actress Sondra Lee, and
October’s CD signing with Chita Rivera – all with Scrumptious support from DO40!.
DO40 has a history of supporting its members and friendswhenever and wherever they appear, and opportunities came knocking over the past few months. It began a few years ago with Donna McKechnie’s book signing at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble.
President John Sefakis saw a fun, easy P.R. opportunity and a way to make these B & N events more enjoyable – by supplying refreshments for the crowd – and the talent.
This Summer’s activities began with author/agent/actor Richard Seff discussing his new book, Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage. He brought along DO40 Advisory Board Member Chita Rivera to also regale the audience with stories, anecdotes and jokes from both their careers (it did end up on occasion sounding a bit like to “We dined at 9.” “No, we dined at 8” “You were early.” No, you were late.”)
Mr. Seff (above right with Chita Rivera and below left at the podium) is an observer of people. And boy, he observed the big guns of theater, from Ethel Merman to Bob Fosse, Rex Harrison to, well, Chita Rivera (above left). The book shows his love of the theater and theater trivia, and never gossips, but provides extremely colorful stories. Seff also describes the changes in the acting industry and the emergence of television, and how and when the power moved from New York to Hollywood.
DO40 will also provided deserts and beverage at dancer/actress Sondra Lee’s book signing I’ve Slept with Everybody on September 15. (above right, DO40 President John Sefakis and Sondra Lee – when they were both blondes, in 2002!) Lee, who began her career in Jerome Robbins’ High Button Shoes (1947) and jete’d to fame as Tiger Lily in Robbins’ 1954 production of Peter Pan, was interviewed by author and theater connoisseur Tom Santopietro.
On October 19th, the evening of DO40’s Peter Gennaro event, Chita Rivera will be promoting her new CD that drops October 13th, “called And now I Sing (above right). After the CD signing she will dash over to St. Luke’s theater to participate in the final panel of DO40’s Gennaro event. DO40 will also promote Chita’s CD with info in the theater lobby. The album contains some of Chita’s classic theater songs as well as some of her favorite standards rearranged and recorded by a group of NYC’s best jazz musicians.
The last three years have seen DO40 grow creatively with our panels and performances. We are now instituting a written history for and about DO40 members who have contributed to the organization for at least two years, called ARTS Legacy. We will be interviewing members about their History, their Legacy and their Lives, and publishing them here under the new ARTS Legacy banner. These written transcripts will also be donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and eventually into a compilation suitable for publishing. This is an added benefit for people who do not live in the tri-state area, or are in NYC and just unable to participate in our panels. These interviews can be done by phone, so no need for travel -- or dressing up for the interview! The series begins with dancer/choreographer Gus Solomons, jr. (photo, left) and long-time member Gemze de Lappe (photo, right) and will be conducted first by board members, then DO40 members that would like to volunteer their writing/interviewing services.
Feel free to click on the graphic on the left to check out our ARCHIVES...previously posted news from our website. We have also added an ARCHIVES link to the "In the News" menu up top.
Swing 46 was packed to overflowing December 13th, with members, friends of Dancers over 40 and many new faces from the Broadway, modern and ballet community all gathered to honor their own. Oleg Bariansky and his wife (new members), were present, as well as Sondra Lee, Harvey Evans, Luigi, Mary Jane Houdina, Louisa Flaningam, Bick Goss, Carolyn Kirsch, Penny Worth, Rudy Tronto in from LA, Garold Gardener (who’s never in town for a DO40 event!) Teak Lewis, Lee Hooper, Gene Foote, Frank Pietri, Geye Bayliss, Ron Young, Jed Danforth, Kathy Conry (gearing up for the DO40 No No, Nanette reunion in the Fall!) Bill Guske, Judy McGrath, Karin Baker, Lois Silk, Dick Korthaze, Mary Lou Barber, Larry Merritt, Jane Klain – we could go on for paragraphs! 
honorees. Carol told stories about how Marge Champion was responsible for starting her career in a show directed by Gower Champion and led the audience in a Happy Birthday to Margery Beddow (Dec 13th!) as well. (Richard Skipper was SO good, it took a little while for Luigi, left, to realize that it wasn’t REALLY Carol Channing!) As usual, video clips from this event will be on our youtube channel, 
Members, old friends and new faces came together to honor director/ choreographer Peter Gennaro October 19th, and the raves keep pouring in! The show featured video clips thrown up on a faux television screen, to honor Peter’s TV work, with posters of all his Broadway shows scattered around the set. A sextet of Gennaro dancers performed a portion of one of Peter’s most popular numbers, and like Pajama Game (that gave Peter his first big boost) and 42nd Street – the show had to go on with one of our prize dancers out sick. Co-host Lee Roy Reams fell ill late Monday, so DO40 Pres. John Sefakis stood in for him as co-host with Carol Lawrence and performed in the dance number!
whenever and wherever they appear, and opportunities came knocking over the past few months. It began a few years ago with Donna McKechnie’s book signing at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble. 
Richard Seff discussing his new book, Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage. He brought along DO40 Advisory Board Member Chita Rivera to also regale the audience with stories, anecdotes and jokes from both their careers (it did end up on occasion sounding a bit like to “We dined at 9.” “No, we dined at 8” “You were early.” No, you were late.”) 
Mr. Seff (above right with Chita Rivera and below left at the podium) is an observer of people. And boy, he observed the big guns of theater, from Ethel Merman to Bob Fosse, Rex Harrison to, well, Chita Rivera (above left). The book shows his love of the theater and theater trivia, and never gossips, but provides extremely colorful stories. Seff also describes the changes in the acting industry and the emergence of television, and how and when the power moved from New York to Hollywood. 
Lee’s book signing I’ve Slept with Everybody on September 15. (above right, DO40 President John Sefakis and Sondra Lee – when they were both blondes, in 2002!) Lee, who began her career in Jerome Robbins’ High Button Shoes (1947) and jete’d to fame as Tiger Lily in Robbins’ 1954 production of Peter Pan, was interviewed by author and theater connoisseur Tom Santopietro.
On October 19th, the evening of DO40’s Peter Gennaro event, Chita Rivera will be promoting her new CD that drops October 13th, “called And now I Sing (above right). After the CD signing she will dash over to St. Luke’s theater to participate in the final panel of DO40’s Gennaro event. DO40 will also promote Chita’s CD with info in the theater lobby. The album contains some of Chita’s classic theater songs as well as some of her favorite standards rearranged and recorded by a group of NYC’s best jazz musicians. 
The last three years have seen DO40 grow creatively with our panels and
performances. We are now instituting a written history for and about DO40 members who have contributed to the organization for at least two years, called ARTS Legacy. We will be interviewing members about their History, their Legacy and their Lives, and publishing them here under the new ARTS Legacy banner. These written transcripts will also be donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and eventually into a compilation suitable for publishing. This is an added benefit for people who do not live in the tri-state area, or are in NYC and just unable to participate in our panels. These interviews can be done by phone, so no need for travel -- or dressing up for the interview! The series begins with dancer/choreographer 
