“The only reason we do it (dance) is because we love it so much – otherwise it’s too hard.” – Joshua Bergasse, Choreographer for On the Town
Hi Friends,
I had the opportunity to attend the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards on Monday, June 2nd at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. It was an evening celebrating dance and choreography on Broadway and in film.
I arrived at the red carpet around 6:30 and was able to go into the theatre around 7:15. Seated in the house left orchestra section, I enjoyed every minute of the show. The performances of New York, New York from On the Town and Life is Like a Train from On the Twentieth Century were truly the highlights.
Christina Bianco hosted the event and was HILARIOUS. Her impressions of Christina Aguilera, Julie Andrews, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Chenoweth, Liza Minnelli, Barbara Streisand, and Barbara Walters were spot on.
The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award:
Joel Grey
Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre & Film:
Harvey Weinstein
Outstanding Female Dancer:
Leanne Cope, An American in Paris
Outstanding Male Dancer:
Robert Fairchild, An American in Paris
Tony Yazbeck, On the Town
Outstanding Choreography on Broadway:
Joshua Bergasse, On the Town
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris
Outstanding Choreographer in a Feature Film:
Akram Kahn, Desert Dancer
Outsatanding Dance Ensemble:
Phillip Attmore, Rick Faugno, Drew King, and Richard Riaz Yoder, On the Twentieth Century
Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees on a great season of dance!
Live, Love, Learn,
Candice & The Write Teacher(s)
PS – The Astaire Awards invited the Studio Bleu Dance Center to do the last number. They did a Motown Medley and it was a fantastic way to end the night.