Interesting point about male dancers not having career longevity. Apart from Tommy Tune, I can really only think of Ben Vereen, Richard Korthaze and Lee Roy Reams these days who graduated from the chorus line and still dance in middle age. I guess the parts just aren't there for mature male dancers as they are for females.
Wait, is Richard Korthaze still dancing?? Or do you mean he did dance into middle age...he never really broke out into leading roles, though, did he?
I'm hoping Chita uses some older dancers in her new show...I know that Gregory Mitchell was originally slated to be in it, andI am very sorry I won't get to see him in that show, he was a phenomenal dancer, one of my favorites.
But I think you're right about the parts not being there for mature male dancers...even in Fosse's shows the male leads aren't necessarily dance roles. (With one exception being the Leading Player in Pippin..)
Wayne Cilento was a chorus Boy. Also the tragedy of AIDS robbed us of many "boys" with bright futures, many of my friends who I am sure would have gone on to brilliant careers. Just breaks my Heart
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
It's just NOT fair to talk about them without posting pix!! We don't all remember them, after all, they are in the chorus and get stuck in the crowd at the far side of the stage . . . pix please!
The meat is always leaner on somebody else's dinner plate!
Heath Calvert is talented, smart, funny, has great hair and can cook! What else would a girl want?
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
The conga boys in 'Wonderful Town' definitely had the best butts on Broadway (now there's a Tony award category I could get excited about). God bless the costume designer who tailored those white pants.
'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'
Robb Sapp....props top all the others who think so too! hes the sweetest guys ever, and just damn good lookin!!! and damn can that boy sing, it def makes my legs get weak..... yummy
I would like to add Chad Kimball to the bunch. He was one sexy moo cow!
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
I am a big fan of Bob Gaynor who is currently in Sweet Charity. Chalk up another one for justin - he is adorable in ASU and I also like Michael CUsumano (he is also in All Shook Up)
And Enrico Rodriguez from Rent is another one who shone in Fame and Zanna, as well as Rent.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
Just saw "Hot Feet" and did a search on Michael Balderrama with an incorrect spelling and came up with this...
He's such an artist in his dancing. He seems both loose and precise at the same time. The highlights of the show were his balletic pas de deux at the first act close and his expressive solo number in Act II.
All the male dancers in the show have excellent technique, but he has great artistry. He projects an assured sense of self and emotes in his movement, communicating the feelings directly.
Ah, it's hard to express, but there's no layer of narcissism with him that gets in the way, no "look at what I'm doing." He's just there, and doing it.
Just to stand up for the over-30 chorus (or former chorus) guys, back in the 80s I had a total crush on Scott Wise, and he still does it for me 20 years later. And Rocker Verastique was way hot in the Lincoln Center Carousel, and he still is. I'm not taking anything away from the younger, newer Bway arrivals, but some of the experienced dancers are very easy on the eye, too ...
"Sweet summer evenings, hot wine and bread /
Sharing your supper, sharing your bed /
Simple joys have a simple voice:
It says why not go ahead?"