The Ziegfeld Society will present A SALUTE TO ROCKETTE HISTORY II on Saturday, March 15th, an original musical revue which tells the history of the precision dance line founded in 1925 by choreographer Russell Markert, inspired by The Tiller Girls in THE ZIEFELD FOLLIES OF 1922, and their evolution from their early beginnings as The Missouri Rockets to the Roxyettes to the now legendary Rockettes. The production will have musical direction by Mark York (musical director of Jim Dale's upcoming Roundabout production JUST JIM DALE), written. directed and choreographed by former Rockettes Mary Six Rupert and Karyn Tomczak.
The legendary Carol Lawrence, a Tony nominee for creating the iconic role of Maria in WEST SIDE STORY, who starred with The Rockettes in A ROCKETTE SPECTACULAR at Radio City, will guest star. Ms. Lawrence also starred on Broadway in SARATOGA, SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING, I DO! I DO!, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, and most recently Off-Broadway in Jason Odell Williams' HANDLE WITH CARE. Also featuring twin sisters Katherine Corp and Kimberly Corp (creators of Pilates on Fifth and stars of The Ziegfeld Society's recent production of THE DOLLY SISTERS) as part of The Legacy Dancers--A Line of Former Rockettes: Ann Cooley, Ashley Fife, Madeline Jayne, Mary Kane, Jean Marie Lutz, Setsuko Maruhashi (who made history in 1985 as the first East-Asian Rockette), Dottie Belle Meyman, Mary Six Rupert, Karyn Tomczak, Michelle Vivona, Eileen Woods, The Western Carolina University Dancers & Singers, and Surprise Guests.
The Ziegfeld Society is a non-profit organization founded by Mark York and Lucy Kerman in 2009 and named for legendary Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld, best known for his annual ZIEGFELD FOLLIES and the original production of SHOW BOAT. The Society aspires to enlighten, entertain and educate current as well as future generations of theatergoers and young artists about the legendary performers, songwriters and creators of our musical theater heritage from the early decades of the 20th century, through Broadway's Golden Age and beyond. The Ziegfeld Society presents intimate monthly performances featuring award winning Broadway performers performing alongside young up and coming artists, presentations by authors, and screenings of lost film and television musicals at The Paley Center followed by seminars with the stars, most recently THE HELEN MORGAN STORY starring Polly Bergen, moderated by Rex Reed. Recent productions have featured such performers as Tony nominee Walter Willison, Loria Parker, Carolyn Quinn (author of "Mama Rose's Turn"), and on May 17th Tony Award winning conductor Donald Pippin (A CHORUS LINE, OLIVER!, MAME) will present A MAESTRO'S MEMORIES. The Society also provides outreach programs for both students and senior citizens.
A SALUTE TO ROCKETTE HISTORY II will be presented at 6pm on March 15, 2014 at The Miller Theater at Columbia University (at 116th Street & Broadway). Tickets are $25 for the general public and $15 for students and Ziegfeld Society members and can be purchased on line at www.theziegfeldsociety.com or by calling The Miller Theater box office at 212-854-7799.
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