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Providing a community of support for mature dancers.
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Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet Mary Lou Barber - New Board Secretary DO40 2008 Flea Market |
The DO40 Salute to the RCMH CORPS DE BALLET was another
Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet today Dancers Over 40 ‘s annual Holiday Party expanded this year to include a reunion of the Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet, featuring performers from the Hall’s great years, 1932 to 1974. The Corps worked four shows a day, 365 days a year, and from their ranks came Nora Kaye, Patricia Bowman, Melissa Hayden, Helen Tamaris, Dania Krupska – and DO40 member Kelly (Carole) Bishop – her first job in NYC when she arrived in the 60’s. Featured on the panel were Selma Hoffman Rosner (1939 – 1944), Vivian Smith Shiers (1938 – 1942), Paulette Knox Harwood (1945 – 1947), Ann Buchan Chaoui (1954 – 1962) all the way to Rosemary Novellino Mearns (1966 – 1978 – the final show). It was held at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studios on West 55th Street, and a gala evening it was! The place was packed with over 100 members, supporters and Friends of DO40, including Kelly Bishop. And although Tony Mordente couldn’t make it to the event to moderate, he certainly was spoken of-and-about by MANY of the Corp ladies (including a rollicking opening salvo by Janice Herbert)! He sent a lovely note: “I have nothing but great memories from the ‘Hall.’ I remember Margret Sande, Leon Leonidorf, Russell Market and Miss Sande's assistant, Janet. My first big paying gig, and they were so supportive. I loved being surrounded by so much beauty. I loved that there were so many very good dancers on that stage at one time. The ‘Corp’ made me feel very at ease. They made it fun doing 4 shows a day and 5 during the Easter Show. They made the time pass way to quickly. Please send pictures!“ Well, Tony, here they are!
The ladies of the 1950s with their iconic poster from 1954 Click Here to see more DO40 Holiday Party Photos |
DO40’s New Board Secretary,
Mary Lou has had a successful performing career, participating in national tours of Cats, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line and Sophisticated Ladies. Her regional and stock credits include Me and My Girl, My One and Only, and Singin’ in the Rain at Gateway Playhouse, Paper Moon at Ford’s Theatre (Washington, D.C.), Of Thee I Sing at Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.), Rhapsody in Gershwin at Stamford TheatreWorks (Connecticut) and Showtune and The Music of Jerry Herman at Riverside Theatre (Florida). She has performed in Side by Side by Sondheim, A Grand Night for Singing and Cole, directed by Karin Baker at Blowing Rock Stage Company, NC. Mary Lou frequently collaborates with director Bill Fabris, choreographing for Westminster Choir College, Omaha Symphony and the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Other choreographic credits include Oklahoma! for Augusta Opera, Patience and Trial By Jury for New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, and Rhapsody in Gershwin for Stamford TheatreWorks. Also, Mary Lou has fond memories of dancing in the Princeton Ballet and Jazz companies with Bebe Neuwirth.
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Dancers Over 40 Raise $2,500.00 With a battalion of volunteer members and friends, DO40 participated in their second Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market. Pandemonium reigned, when customers lined up 50 minutes earlier than the official start time – and they were ready to spend! Cool heads prevailed with DO40 Board member Karin Baker laying down the law as to how things were going to be run. She and her husband, Greg, have been participating in the BC/EFA Flea Market for years, and Karin taught us a few helpful tips.
The gang around mid-day: Nicole Barth, Marge Beddow, Georgie Marcy, Jamie Sanchez, Kathy Seng Gurland, Harvey Evans and James Dybas. DO40 members Nicole Barth, Lawrence Merritt, Mary Lou Barber, Carolyn Kalmus, Penny Worth and Board members Kathy Seng Gurland, George Marcy, Harvey Evans, Gregg Mayer participated, as did our other friends, Patt Mariano, James Dybas and John Fahey. Members who stopped by to say hello were Marge Beddow, Sasha Spielvogel, Felicia Velasco, and Joe Ahumada, who donated a TON of stuff that made lots of money – thank you Joe – and Brian! Next year, Bette!!! Bebe Neuwirth autographs the The Fabulous Bebe Neuwirth stopped by our booth and introduced her fiancée to us all. Bebe – smiling! And very happy! Get a picture! She also signed some of our Broadway Musical books that brought in a few hundred dollars and were also signed by Donna McKechnie, Bernadette Peters, Lee Roy Reams, Barbara Cook and Sandy Duncan, thanks to Harvey Evans.
Nicole Barth and James Dybas are on T-shirts! Posters! Books! Playbills! CDs! Librettos! Star Photos and autographs! It was an amazing mix of products. A big thanks to George Marcy, Bick Goss and Gitana Garcia – without their materials – and their friend’s materials, we never would have reached our goal! And remember, we’ll need more “stuff” next year! So keep looking through your closets and drawers! |
BITTERSWEET
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Copyright 2006 - 2016 Dancers Over 40, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. |
DO40 is very happy to welcome Mary Lou Barber as Board Secretary. Another new member who joined last year after attending DO40’s events, Mary Lou volunteered at the DO40 BC/EFA Flea Market and at the Jack Cole event in October. She’s one of our younger members, who is thrilled to learn the history, legacy and lives of our members. 
