NYLPA to Host Two Jerome Robbins Discussions in Feb.

Two free public programs on Jerome Robbins will be given in the Bruno Walter Auditorium of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza.

On Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 6:00 PM, Amanda Vaill -author of the 2006 Robbins biography Somewhere - will present "'Ten Degrees North of Terrific:' The Creation of Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free." The quote is from John Martin's review in The New York Times of the premiere in 1944.  Martin also described the ballet  as "a smash hit."  Vaill will also include an audio clip made by the composer Leonard Bernstein for Robbins to use for the rehearsals. In addition to the Robbins biography, Vaill is the author of Everybody was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy, a Lost Generation Love Story.

"'Any Man Who Can Do That I Forgive Everything:' Jerome Robbins and Fiddler on the Roof" will be presented on Saturday, February 3rd at 3 PM.  The panel will feature Lisa Aronson, wife and collaborator of Boris Aronson, who designed the sets of Fiddler on the Roof; Sheldon Harnick, who wrote the lyrics;  Joseph Stein, who wrote the book; Austin Pendleton, who created the role of Motel, the Tailor; and others. Vaill will serve as narrator. The quote is from Boris Aronson.

In addition to Fiddler on the Roof, five-time Tony Award-winner Robbins' credits, as a choreographer or director/choreographer, included A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Gypsy, West Side Story, On the Town, and Peter Pan.  1989's Jerome Robbins' Broadway was a celebration of his work.

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