“A unique happening... an example of dance of a standard never seen before ... a triumph"
Alan Peterson, Dance Magazine
"America is the acknowledged center of world ballet ... Stars of the American Ballet showed how and why." Dora Sowden, Johannesburg Star
"Excellent performance...it was marvelous!" Anna Kisselgoff, New York Times
STARS was created with a tour of South Africa, and created international headlines as the first company to perform for a multi-racial audience in South Africa, and performed the World Premier of master choreographer Anthony Tudor's 'Sunflowers,' STARS toured for six years performing in over 66 cities each year to be become the most booked dance touring company in America.
Howard Dando, Founder and Director
Artistic Directors: Hilda Morales, Phyllis Papa, Paul Mejia, Resident Choreographer, Stephen Simmons, Resident Designer, Rick Paul
DANCERS: Fernando Bujones, Violette Verdy, Susanne Farrell, Patricia McBride, Jacques D'Amboise, Helgi Tomasson, Ted Kivett, Peter Martins, Karena Brock, Eleanor D'Antuono, Wayne Eagling, Merle Park, Merill Ashley, Allegra Kent, Kay Mazzo, Zina Bethune, Keith Martin, Hilda Morales, Marianna Tcherkassky, Cynthia Harvey, Lawrence Rhodes, Kirk Peterson, Warren Conover, Veronica Tennant, John Prinz, Anne Maria D'Angelo, Betty Chamberlain, Lynda Kuchera, Charles Maple, Phyllis Papa, George de la Pena, John Sowinski, Lisa Moon, Gigi Nachtsheim, Kimberley Pearce, Mark Mejia, Roberto Medina, Larry Hunt, Meg Gordon, Cathy Contillo, Karen Hebert, Cynthia Showalter, Barbara Weil, Roland Morrisette, Carmela Sanders, Russell Chambers, Thomas Banasiak, Sergio Cal, Manuel Urrego, Roger Rouillier, Ken Woodson, Steve Huber, James Vincent, Miguel Campaneria, Lars Rosager, Deleah Shafer
TOMMY, the original Broadway production of The Who’s Rock Opera.
Producer: Howard Dando
Choreographer: Fernand Nault, Artistic Director: Ludmilla Chiriaeff. Set Design: David Jenkins, Costume Design: Francois Barbeau, Lighting Design: Nicolas Cernovitch. Music: The Who
TOMMY opened at the New York City Center and broke all house attendance records and played several sold-out return engagements. TOMMY also performed a two year tour of major American cities.
“A SMASH HIT” - Anna Kisselgoff, New York Times
"A Theatrical Experience Not to be Missed"- Look Magazine
"Imaginative, creative, remarkable!" - Judith Crist, NBC- TODAY SHOW
"The walls are beginning to tumble, my friend, the bravos from the standing ovation literally tore the roof off the Opera House. 'Tommy'' is a dramatic happening. It is more than a satisfying evening. 'TOMMY' is an experience." - Roy Leonard, WGN-TV, Chicago
"'Tommy' brought the audience to its feet, and why not? It is a revelation. A new dimension in stage entertainment. An invigorating experience." - Charles Petzold, Philadelphia Daily News
"'Tommy' is now a most remarkable pop music achievement. The production is first rate." - Clive Barnes, New York Times
Below is a recently discovered film clip of the only known footage of TOMMY. The film was shot in a rehearsal prior to the Broadway Opening with Alexander Belin in the role of TOMMY (cinematographer is unknown). This is a rehearsal without the set or production lighting, etc. It was recorded without sound and music was added later - and therefore not synchronized to the choreography.
“A fascinating romp through the dance world with cutthroat competition and lusty dancers. The pages flew by and I wished it wouldn't end.”
“An entertaining, well crafted look at the excitement, grace, glamour and underbelly of the ballet world - written by someone who knows that world intimately. Reads like a movie.”
“Anyone who has ever danced will love, hate and empathize with the characters in this gossipy, gritty, novel, and for everyone else, it's great eye-candy, a fast read and a darn good story.”
Amazon Book Reviews
DANCERS IN THE DARK - Number 1 Bestseller on Amazon's Top 2000 Dance and Music Books.
Video of two scenes from the novel below featuring Kaitlyn Jenkins of Disney's Bunheads, and Elan Alekzander of TV series, Big Apple Ballet.
Novel also available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Foyles of London and major book sellers throughout the world, and all Ebook platforms - IPAD, KINDLE, SONY READER, SMASHWORDS, and all Smartphones, PDA's, etc Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7045
"Audiences were asking whether the New World Ballet was as good as they thought it was, whether it might not, in fact, be better than American Ballet Theatre ... "
Marquee Magazine, Miami
"First rate-dancers and visually striking staging, the troupe established itself as an artistic force ...if there is one lasting legacy let's hope it is the New World Ballet."
Laurie Horn, Miami Herald
"An unqualified success... Miraculous... Pure Magic."
Joe Valicenti, Miami News
Howard Dando, Director
Norbert Vesak, Artistic Director; Akira Endo, Conductor; Tony Tucci, Lighting Designer;
Christina Giannini, Costume Designer; and Choreographers: Lynn Seymour, Vincente Nebrada, Norbert Vesak, Valeri Panov (Photo: Peggy Cromer)
DANCERS: Cynthia Gregory, Fernando Bujones, Anthony Dowell, Evelyn Hart, Galina Panova with Naomi Sorkin, Helene Roux, Zane Wilson, Alejandro Menedez, Jim Sutton, Michel Rahn, Joanna Berman, Ralph Di Rienzo, Renee Laverdiere, Lori MacPherson, Michal Margulies, Robert Masen, Victoria Rinaldi, Sharon Solik, Richard Schlein
NEW WORLD BALLET was part of a Mobil Showcase 6 one-hour specials with Placido Domingo, Henry Moore, Moses Pendleton, Twyla Tharp and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for the ABC- Arts and Entertainment Network
Samples of 5 dance works by New World Ballet on YouTube on Stagelight2 channel.
For New World Ballet and Festival Reviews and Articles click Scribd below:
VIDEO clips from the New World Ballet ABC-TV one hour special:
Fusion Dance Company, resident Modern Dance Company for the city of Miami.
Founder and Artistic Director: Wally Lord;
Executive Director: Howard Dando
Principal Dancers: Cathy Contillo, Steve Spencer, Margie-Nan Hering, Christina Perera, Robert Diaz, Iris Pell, Choreographers: Mary Luft, Kathyrn Posin, Wally Lord, Bella Lewitsky, Brian MacDonald
Fusion commisioned and introduced Michael Nyman to American audiences with the dance piece, 'Little Crocodiles.' Mr. Nyman would go on to score 11 films including 'The Piano" and 'The Libertine.'
For WPBT (PBS) introduction to Modern Dance series hosted by Howard Dando (Part 1 of Series below):
The Pennsylvania Ballet was established through a Ford Foundation grant in 1963 to develop regional professional dance and has since been in the forefront of American dance.
The Company performed in the national spotlight for the first time in 1968 at City Center in New York – a highly successful debut that led to national touring, appearances on PBS' acclaimed Dance in America series, and as the official company of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Principal Dancers: Alba Calzada, Jean Paul Comelin, Fiona Fuerstner, Keith Martin, Hilda Morales, Ross Parkes, Barbara Sandonato, Alexei Yudenich (1968 City Center)
Barbara Weisberger, Artistic Director and Founder, Bobby Rodham Resident Choreographer, Edward Caton and William Dollar, Company Teachers, Fiona Fuerstner, Ballet Mistress, Maurice Kaplow, Music Director, Jennifer Tipton, Lighting Designer, Howard Dando, General Manager
Companies: the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jose Limon Dance Company, Merce Cunningham and Company, Erick Hawkins Dancers and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
A series with major American Dance Companies in residence for one week at the Walnut Street Theatre including workshops for dance students.
Artistic Director: Howard Dando
Executive Director: Robert Herman, General Manager: Ted Griffin,
Created to be the largest Festival in the World with World Premiers of opera, symphony, chamber music, theatre, dance and visual arts.
Premiers included works by Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Landford Wilson, Gian Carlo Menotti, Paul Taylor, Chick Correa, John Corigliano, Morton Gould, Geoffrey Holder, Alan Hovhaness, Noman Dello Joio, Leon Kirchner, Daniel Lang and Robert Ward, Norbert Vesak, Lynn Seymour, Vincente Nebrada, film festival, local theatre, dance and music companies, and museum exhibitions with commissions by Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney and the Surrounded Pink Islands by Christo.
The Jazz Series: Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, World’s Greatest Jazz Band, Yusef Lateef, Leon Thomas, Les McCann, Dave Brubeck, Gary Burton, Betty Carter, and premiere performance of Roberta Flack.
“Jacques Brel is Alive and Well”, The Byrds, Susan Starr and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Edward Villella, Patricia McBride, Violette Verdy and the New York City Ballet, Carlos Montoya, Jose Greco, Pennsylvania Ballet, Rita Jones Modern Dance Company, Aliza Kashi, Odetta, Everly Brothers, Westminister Choir, Tafy Children’s Theatre.
FEVER, an original musical presented by SOUTH GATE STAGE at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, Hollywood, as part of The Festival of New American Musicals.
Written and Directed by Howard Dando
Technical Director: Steven Torres; Choreographers: Angelica Cota, Kelly Molnar, Jill Connerly, Mary Castillo, Marisol Marquez; Music Director: Allan Waddington; Vocal Director: Marisol Marquez; Video Production: Jose Makepeace; Additional Lyrics: Frank Dineen
Written and Directed by Howard Dando
Music and Lyrics by Jim Murphy and Frank Dineen
Choreography - Belinda Martinez
Musical Director - Matt Falker
Technical Director - Steven Torres
Vocal Director - Marisol Marquez
Video Production - Jose Makepeace
‘ELVIS’ opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on January 31, 1978. Starring Rick Saucedo as Elvis, and The Jordanaires (original Elvis back-up singers), D.J. Fontana (original Elvis drummer) and Millie Kirkham (original back-up soprano).
Howard Dando, Director
Rick Paul, Set Designer
Barry Arnold, Lighting Designer
The production was first directed by Jim Sotos and Henry Scarpelli, but after Opening Night Producer D.L. Productions hired Howard Dando to re-direct the production. The production went on to run for 101 performances and closed on April 30, 1978. The production moved on to the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas where it played for two years.
The show begins at Sun Studios and recreates Elvis at his first recording sessions and follows with the Ed Sullivan performances, the Hollywood years, the come-back and the Vegas era. The title song “The Legend Lives On” was written for the production by Bruce Foster and songwriting legend, Doc Pomus.
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