Posted: 10/3/15 at 8:49pm
I was lucky enough to see her in her most notable roles in the 60s and 70s and remember her dancing as glorious. I also sometimes view her dancing on youtube. I know nothing about dance and can't even dance myself. So I wondered if anyone on this board who is a dancer, or who can at least comment intelligently about it, can give me specifics about why she was such a remarkable dancer.
Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:25am
Donna has been one of my idols ever since I discovered her when I first did a chorus line in high school. I can tell you why I love her and why her dancing connects with me.
1. Wonderful mix of technique and ability to be incredibly loose, relaxed, and expressive in her movements.
2. Super flexible neck, back, shoulders, and arms which made her dancing incredibly unique. Especially evident in "Turkey Lurkey Time". The shapes she creates are just divine.
3. The music and the mirror is just one of those all-time iconic legendary moments. The perfect match of material and performer.
4. Most of all, she is a master of storytelling through dance. No movement is without reason and no moment is wasted. She's not a selfish dancer, the dances were about furthering the story, moment, or mood for maximum impact, never about her showing off her skills.
Donna is a treasure and IMO the epitome of musical theater dance done well.
Updated On: 10/4/15 at 12:25 AM
Posted: 10/4/15 at 10:16pm
i was lucky enough to see Donna at her one woman show at PEPPERDINE here in SoCal about 9 years ago...and i loved her and the show was fun and very dishy...i did see her in person also in COMPANY the Summer of 1970, and then again in A CHORUS LINE in 1976...she really did stop both shows that night...she is a STAR!
