Immortal Icons of Dance

Chicago is celebrating 30 years on Broadway!
To celebrate, I’m releasing a special series of 6 episodes featuring artists who have been part of the Chicago family for decades. First up is Jim Borstelmann, who was part of the original 1996 Broadway cast. Jim worked closely with Ann Reinking, who choreographed the revival, and he shares wonderful memories of working with her and being part of the production that would go on to become the longest-running revival in Broadway history.

In this episode I speak with Erzsébet (Liz) who was a ballet student at the School of American Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine when she auditioned to play Michelle Gideon in Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical film All That Jazz (1979). While filming, she met Ann Reinking with whom she shared many scenes and dance sequences. From there they developed a special mentor-mentee-friendship that lasted until Reinking's passing in 2020.
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In this episode I’m speaking with Suzanne Charny who is known as "The Ponytail Girl" in Fosse's "Rich Man's Frug" in the 1969 film Sweet Charity. Suzanne began her professional stage career at 15, when she auditioned for Jerome Robbins inWest Side Story and was cast as a Shark girl in a production that toured Australia. Earlier in her career she was also a featured dancer on NBC’s Hullabaloo. After appearing on Broadway in Do Re Mi and the original Sweet Charity, Suzanne transitioned her career to Hollywood.

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In this episode I interview Virginia Johnson, one of the original members of Dance Theatre of Harlem. where she became a principal dancer and performed around the world for nearly three decades. After her performing career she was the founding editor of POINTE Magazine. She later returned to the company as its Artistic Director, helping lead DTH into a new era.
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In this episode I speak to Jim Huntley, a vibrant 93-year-old dancer, choreographer, director, and producer. Jim’s career spans more than seven decades, from dancing alongside Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Ann-Margret to appearing in Mary Poppins, Flower Drum Song, Babes in Toyland, The Happiest Millionaire, and so many more. Jim Also traveled the world choreographing and directing for television and stage.

www.immortaliconsofdance.com