Tag: an american in paris

Robbie Fairchild Writes a Letter to His Teenage Self

Former New York City Ballet principal Robert Fairchild has made it to the top of both the ballet and the Broadway worlds—and his career just keeps getting more exciting. Though Fairchild grew up studying jazz and tap in his home state of Utah, he danced with NYCB for nine years before taking his first professional […]

Broadway Ballerina Sara Esty Writes a Letter to Her Teenage Self

Sara Esty’s ethereal grace and sophisticated charm have won over ballet and Broadway audiences alike. The bunhead-turned-Broadway-baby began training near her hometown in Gorham, ME, at the Maine State Ballet’s School for the Performing Arts (with her equally fabulous twin sister, Leigh-Ann). She enrolled full-time at the Miami City Ballet School in 2004, and joined […]

Celebrate Gene Kelly's Birthday with 5 of His Greatest Dance Moments

Happy birthday, Gene Kelly! The dance icon would’ve been 106 years old today—and his legacy is still burning bright. We thought we’d honor the incredible performer with a look at five of his greatest routines ever. 5.“The Worry Song,” from “Anchors Aweigh” (1945) In which Kelly dances seamlessly alongside the animated Jerry Mouse like it’s […]

Presenting Dance Spirit's First-Ever Jazz Hand Awards

The big screen gets the Oscars; the small screen has the Emmys; the world’s top singers duke it out every year at the Grammys. And while Broadway already has the Tony Awards, we wanted to take it one step further. Welcome to The Jazz Hand Awards (aka the Jazzies), honoring the best, brightest and—above all—danciest […]

An American in Paris on "Live! With Kelly and Michael"

We’ve been talking a lot about Christopher Wheeldon’s An American in Paris, and for good reason—the show’s 14 Tony nominations might have something to do with it, as well as Wheeldon’s genius choreography. Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope of An American in Paris performing on “Live! With Kelly and Michael.” (Screenshot via YouTube) Obviously with all […]

Highlights from The 2015 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards

With T-minus mere hours until the danciest Tony Awards ever (!), the Broadway community has been pretty much drowning in statues, plaques and sealed white envelopes for days. Last Sunday evening, for example, marked the 60th annual Drama Desk Awards, which pitted both Broadway and Off-Broadway shows against each other. And the Theatre World Awards, […]

An American in Paris Gets the Tony for Most Tony Noms

The Tonys are coming, the Tonys are coming! It’s like musical theater Christmas! The 2015 Tony Award nominations were announced this morning by the ever-glamorous Broadway (and TV and movie) star Mary Louise Parker and Bruce Willis (whom you know as “Dancing with the Stars” front-runner Rumer Willis‘ dad). And guys, there are so many […]

Christopher Wheeldon on An American in Paris

The musical theater gods have showered us with love—or, rather, with two behind-the-scenes videos from Christopher Wheeldon’s new An American in Paris! And their timing is perfect: The show opens tonight in The City of Lights. I prefer the video with Wheeldon (the show’s director) and Craig Lucas (the show’s writer) talking about the production—because […]