Immortal Icons of Dance

Chicago is celebrating 30 years on Broadway! To celebrate, I’m releasing a special series of 6 episodes featuring artists who have been part of the Chicago family for decades. Ryan Lowe played Mary Sunshine for 21 years on Broadway.

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Chicago is celebrating 30 years on Broadway!

To celebrate, I’m releasing a special series of 6 episodes featuring artists who have been part of the Chicago family for decades. Donna Marie Asbury performed in the ensemble of Chicago for 20 years! She also understudied Roxie and Velma and performed with dozens of celebrities over the years. She has many fond memories of the cast of Chicago.

www.immortaliconsofdance.com

Chicago is celebrating 30 years on Broadway!

To celebrate, I’m releasing a special series of 6 episodes featuring artists who have been part of the Chicago family for decades. First up is Jim Borstelmann, who was part of the original 1996 Broadway cast. Jim worked closely with Ann Reinking, who choreographed the revival, and he shares wonderful memories of working with her and being part of the production that would go on to become the longest-running revival in Broadway history.

In this episode I speak with Erzsébet (Liz) who was a ballet student at the School of American Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine when she auditioned to play Michelle Gideon in Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical film All That Jazz (1979). While filming, she met Ann Reinking with whom she shared many scenes and dance sequences. From there they developed a special mentor-mentee-friendship that lasted until Reinking's passing in 2020.

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In this episode I’m speaking with Suzanne Charny who is known as "The Ponytail Girl" in Fosse's "Rich Man's Frug" in the 1969 film Sweet Charity. Suzanne began her professional stage career at 15, when she auditioned for Jerome Robbins inWest Side Story and was cast as a Shark girl in a production that toured Australia. Earlier in her career she was also a featured dancer on NBC’s Hullabaloo. After appearing on Broadway in Do Re Mi and the original Sweet Charity, Suzanne transitioned her career to Hollywood.

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In this episode I interview Virginia Johnson, one of the original members of Dance Theatre of Harlem. where she became a principal dancer and performed around the world for nearly three decades. After her performing career she was the founding editor of POINTE Magazine. She later returned to the company as its Artistic Director, helping lead DTH into a new era.

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In this episode I speak to Jim Huntley, a vibrant 93-year-old dancer, choreographer, director, and producer. Jim’s career spans more than seven decades, from dancing alongside Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Ann-Margret to appearing in Mary Poppins, Flower Drum Song, Babes in Toyland, The Happiest Millionaire, and so many more. Jim Also traveled the world choreographing and directing for television and stage.

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In this episode, Lisa Mordente talks about meeting Bob Fosse as a teenager, and watching her mother, Chita Rivera, rehearse and perform in Chicago (1975). Lisa was the first baby born of a "Shark" and a "Jet"—her father, Tony Mordente played "A-Rab" in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, where he met Chita who was playing "Anita." Lisa recalls the backstage antics of the cast, and the inspiration she found in watching Gwen Verdon and her mother perform together.

Additional Resources:

The Vault

Additional Chicago Footage

Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera

In this episode, Marsha Bagwell tells us about her time in the original cast of Chicago (1975) as the standby for Matron Mama Morton and Mary Sunshine. Marsha became Gwen Verdon's personal assistant during the production and was privy to many private conversations regarding the show. She shares unparalleled insight on Bob Fosse's process, Gwen Verdon's generosity, and the quirks and personalities of the entire cast.

The Vault

Additional Chicago Footage

In this episode, Lenora Nemetz discusses working with Bob Fosse as the standby for both Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in Chicago (1975). She recalls going on for Gwen as "Roxie" during the out-of-town try-out without any rehearsals. Lenora also took over the role "Velma" full time after Chita left the show and Ann Reinking joined as Roxie.

Additional Resources:

The Vault Blog Posts

⁠Chicago History YouTube Playlist⁠

In this episode, we hear from Pamela Sousa who was an ensemble member in the original cast of Bob Fosse's 1975 musical Chicago, starring Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. Later, she performed in Michael Bennet's A Chorus Line as a Cassie replacement. Pamela shares her experiences working with both of these legendary choreographers.

Additional Resources:

Visit the Vault - Chicago 50th Anniversary

Chicago 50th YouTube Playlist

Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera

Kander & Ebb Memoir

FOSSE by Sam Wasson

In the episode, Jessica Lee Goldyn discusses her early experiences learning A Chorus Line as a child, training with Baayork Lee and Donna McKechnie, and performing Cassie in the closing week of the 2006 Broadway Revival of a A Chorus Line.

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In this episode Charlotte d'Amboise reminisces about her year as Cassie in the 2006 Broadway revival of a Chorus Line. She talks about being inspired by Donna McKechnie, as the struggles and joys of this difficult role.

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In this episode, Robyn Hurder discusses how A Chorus Line has affected the trajectory of her career--from seeing the show as a nine-year-old, to performing in the 2006 revival tour, to ultimately portraying Cassie at New York City Center in 2018. Robyn will honor the legacy of Michael Bennett and A Chorus Line at the 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Shubert Theater this month.

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In this episode Donna McKechnie speaks about her early inspirations, her personal and professional relationship with Michael Bennett, and her reflections of 50 years of A Chorus Line. She also speaks at length about the character she originated, Cassie, and what it means to her to be able to mentor other performers in that role.

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Donna's Autobiography: Time Steps: My Musical Comedy Life

In this episode Mitzi Hamilton discusses her long association with Michael Bennett's A Chorus Line which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Mitzi was one of the two women whose stories provided the inspiration for the character of "Val" in the show. Mitzi shares wonderful memories of her Broadway debut, working with Michael Bennett, and how much A Chorus Line means to her.

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A Chorus Line History

In this episode Baayork Lee discusses her early career on Broadway (starting at age 5!), her working relationship with Michael Bennett, and how she has worked to preserve his legacy as A Chorus Line celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

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Read Baayork's Book

In this episode we hear from Debbie Allen on her relationship with Chita Rivera. Chita originated the role of 'Anita' in West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. In 1980, when West Side Story was revived, Debbie Allen was cast as 'Anita' and she was coached by Chita in the role. The two maintained a close relationship over the ensuing decades as their careers continued to evolve on Broadway, in film, and television. One thing they have in common: blazing a trail for those who come after them!

Additional Resources:

Footage

Chita: A Memoir

In this bonus episode we will hear a previously unreleased 1982 interview between Alexandra Danilova, and 13-year-old School of American Ballet student, Jennifer Fuchs. Jennifer conducted this interview for a school project and has given Immortal Icons of Dance permission to publish it so that everyone can hear this rare audio of Danilova talking about her own life!

Listen to this episode on YouTube for closed captioning

In this episode, former New York City Ballet dancer, John Clifford, tells us about his friendship with the great Russian ballerina, Alexandra Danilova. Madame Danilova (known to friends as "Choura") grew up at the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg Russia, became a soloist Mariinsky ballet, and toured the world as an acclaimed ballerina in many ballet companies including the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. After retiring from the stage, she settled in New York City and became a beloved teacher at the School of American Ballet for 25 years where she taught new generations of dancers how to become a ballerina in the grand sense of the word.

Additional Resources

Footage

Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova