Movie Musicals Blog

Michael Kidd - Gymnastics as Dance

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:06 +0200

Although Michael Kidd was probably best known for his choreography of the film musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," he had a very successful career as a Broadway choreographer both before and after the film. However, it was the gymnastic character of the dances in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" that influenced future movie choreograpy. Kidd, born Milton Greenwald, grew up in a non-show business family, and he did not develop an interest in dance until high school. At that time, he began to study modern dance while also pursuing an academic interest in engineering. In 1937, he left college to study dance full-time at the School of American Ballet. Two years later, Kidd appeared on Broadway, dancing in a one-act ballet called "Filling Station." That year, he also performed on Broadway in "The Ballet Caravan."

Agnes de Mille - Ballet as Part of the Story

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:06 +0200

Agnes de Mille was born into a well-known and respected film industry family. Her uncle was the successful director, Cecil B. de Mille and her father was also a film director. De Mille started to study ballet as a child but she didn't seem to have a natural ability for classical ballet. On her own, she studied the acting of stars in her father's films and, by the age of 11, was cast in a film. As an adult, de Mille renewed her interest in ballet. In 1933, at the age of 28, she went to London to study modern ballet. Six years later, her first choreographed ballet was produced by the American Ballet Theatre. A few years later, in 1942, her most important ballet, "Rodeo," was produced for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Kevin Kline - From Shakespeare to Gilbert and Sullivan

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:06 +0200

Although most movie goers probably know Kevin Kline as a dramatic film actor, he is primarily a stage actor, with his early starts in Shakespeare, classical drama and musicals. Kline's career on Broadway began in 1973 and he did not appear in a film until 1982. Since then, Kline has had successful careers both on Broadway and in films. Kline's professional training started with the piano when he majored in music at Indiana University. However, after trying his hand at acting, he soon switched his focus to drama. After graduating from Indiana University, Kline attended the well-known Juilliard School of Drama in New York. Not long afterwards, Kline, along with fellow Juilliard graduates Patti LuPone and David Ogden Stiers, started the City Center Acting Company, a repertory company that performed classical plays, Shakespeare and, occasionally, musicals. They toured the US and performed on Broadway in the early to mid-1970s.

Liza Minnelli - From Red Menace to Cabaret Star

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:00:06 +0200

Liza Minnelli was born into a show business family, inheriting her mother Judy Garland's musical talent. Her father, Vincente Minnelli, directed many movie musicals, including the Academy Award winning "Gigi." Despite her parents' successful film careers, Liza's own career was launched on New York theater stages. Minnelli's first role was in the off-Broadway musical "Best Foot Forward" in 1963, when she was only 17. Her performance was well-received and she won the Theatre World Award. Minnelli's next play came two years later on Broadway. Her performance in Kander and Ebb's "Flora the Red Menace" created a sensation and earned her critical acclaim, a Tony award and fame.

Julie Andrews - From My Fair Lady to Mary Poppins

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:06 +0200

Julie Andrews started studying music as a child and by the age of 12 was already performing professionally. In the 1950s, while in her late teens, she appeared in plays in London's West End. Her first Broadway play, "The Boy Friend," opened in 1954, and Andrews gained the attention of critics. Two years later, she starred in "My Fair Lady" in the lead role of Eliza Doolittle, a part that led to Broadway stardom and a Tony nomination. "My Fair Lady" was followed by another Lerner and Loewe hit, "Camelot," in 1960.

From Broadway Musical Success to Film Star

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:06 +0200

My new theme is "From Broadway Musical Success to Film Star." I will be writing about three actors and actresses who had great success in at least one Broadway musical before moving to a successful film career. The performers I will be featuring are Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli and Kevin Kline.

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