(Long Island, N.Y.) Media and fans of dance in classic film and theater attended the announcement of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards at Theater Row’s fabled Firebird Russian Restaurant located at 365 West 46th Street on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
Nominees were announced by acclaimed Actor, Dancer, Choreographer & Director Lee Roy Reams at this special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the Astaire Awards. The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards are the only awards that honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and film.
Dancer/ Movie Star Fred Astaire and his sister Adele Astaire represented excellence in dance performance. Their dedication, passion and artistic vision brought dance on stage and in films to new awareness.
The mission of the Fred & Adele Astaire Awards is to continue that vision by not only celebrating the superb achievement of each nominee but by toasting the immeasurable talents and passion of each choreographer and dancer who continues the classic tradition of excellence. The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards were established in 1982 and recognize outstanding achievement in dance on Broadway and film each season. The award was established with the cooperation of Fred Astaire to honor him and his sister, Adele, who starred with her brother in ten Broadway musicals between 1917 and 1931.
This year’s Nominating Committee Chair is Sylviane Gold. Committee members include Anna Kisselgoff, Damian Woetzel, Wendy Perron, Manny and Lani Azenberg, Donna McKechnie, Lee Roy Reams, Wendy Federman, Barbara and Buddy Freitag, Michael Riedel, Marge Champion, Margaret Selby, Melinda Atwood, Bryan Bantry, Adam Zotovich, Andy Sandberg and Bruce Michael.
Honorary Chairs for the Awards Gala on May 15 are Judith Jamison and Wendy Federman. Awards Gala Chairs are Carolyn Kendall Buchter Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Bruce Michael. Producer is Patricia Watt. Co-Producer is Joe Lanteri; National Dance Alliance. Director is Joe Lanteri. Benefit Co-Chairs are Sara Kaplan Johnson and Jamie Watkins.
At the event I had a chance to interview the nominated cast from “Catch Me If You Can” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” I also chatted with Director Joe Lanteri, Director of The NYC Dance Alliance Foundation.
The NYC Dance Alliance Foundation is passionately dedicated to empowering the next generation of professional dancers by advocating education and offering scholarships for secondary and college training.
A tremendous student and fan of dance, dark and quite good looking, Mr. Lanteri discussed his work with the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards and his favorite Fred Astaire film. “I am sure you must have seen every single Fred Astaire film ever made. Do you have one in particular that you really love the most?” I inquired. “I really love anything he did with Cyd Charisse. I think that partnership was elegant, beautiful and effortless,” Mr. Lanteri revealed so eloquently.
Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews the nominees for the The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards at the Russian Firebird Restaurant on Restaurant Row.
After many years studying dance, Joseph Lanteri graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA in Theater under the chairmanship of John Houseman. A master in professional dance and choreography, Joe wears many hats as a choreographer, director, producer, teacher and entrepreneur. His latest title as the Executive Director/Choreographer for New York City Theatrical Events, Joe has produced, directed, and choreographed countless live industrial shows and special events. He has a huge roster of clients ranging from IBM and Schering-Plough to Rite-Aid and Tupperware. His choreography has been featured in TV, film and stage from soap operas to MTV, Off-Broadway to theaters around the world – including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Edinburgh Theatre Festival.
An expert in dance, Joe was one of the original creative staff for the hit TV series, CLUB MTV, on the MTV Network. He has trained many notable stars such as Bill Cosby, Diahann Carroll, and Broadway greats Andrea McArdle, Lee Roy Reams, Lorna Luft and Lucie Arnaz. Mr. Lanteri has produced entertainment extravaganzas for international events and heads of state from Washington, DC to Istanbul, Turkey. He has choreographed and directed dozens of critically acclaimed conceptual song and dance revues, special events and New Year’s Eve Spectaculars for many of the Atlantic City Casinos including the Trump Taj Mahal in the Atlantic City. Joe’s explosive choreography and dynamic style have established him as a driving force in creating New York City’s dance style.
He continues to lecture and instruct students in New York City at STEPS ON BROADWAY and has served on the prestigious faculty of The Juilliard School since 1992.
I also had the chance to interview beautiful blonde Denise Faye, Choreographer of the film “Burlesque.” Ms. Faye is nominated for best choreography in film along with Choreographer Joey Pizzi.
Before arriving in Hollywood, California Ms. Faye appeared, as well as starred in, many hit productions on and off Broadway including Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Swinging on a Star, A Madhouse in Goa, Filumena and The Winter’s Tale. Her performances at prestigious theaters include Lincoln Center, New York Shakespeare Festival, The Public Theater, Second Stage and Williamstown. Denise’s gorgeous billboard photo for the musical Chicago has been 50 feet high over Times Square since the show’s Broadway opening.
Here is the list for this year’s Nominees:
Nominees for excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway:
Broadway Choreographer
- Rob Ashford – “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
- Marguerite Derricks – “Wonderland”
- Kathleen Marshall – “Anything Goes”
- Jerry Mitchell – “Catch Me If You Can”
- Casey Nicholaw – “The Book of Mormon”
- Toby Sedgwick – “War Horse”
- Susan Stroman – “The Scottsboro Boys”
- Anthony Van Laast – “Sister Act”
Male Dancer, Broadway
- Nick Adams – “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
- Norbert Leo Butz – “Catch Me If You Can”
- Colman Domingo – “The Scottsboro Boys”
- Colin Donnell – “Anything Goes”
- Josh Gad – “The Book of Mormon”
- Joshua Henry – “The Scottsboro Boys”
- Daniel Radcliffe – “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
- Aaron Tveit – “Catch Me If You Can”
Female Dancer, Broadway
- Rachel de Benedet – “Catch Me If You Can”
- Sutton Foster – “Anything Goes”
- Jennifer Frankel – “Catch Me If You Can”
- J. Elaine Marcos – “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
- Patina Miller – “Sister Act”
- Laura Osnes – “Anything Goes”
- Angie Schworer – “Catch Me If You Can”
- Megan Sikora – “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
- Samantha Zack – “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
Nominees for excellence in choreography on film:Nominees for excellence in choreography on film:
Film Choreographer
- Benjamin Millepied – “Black Swan”
- Denise Faye/co-choreographer Joey Pizzi – “Burlesque”
- Michael Flatley – “Lord of the Dance 3D”
- Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon – “Mao’s Last Dancer”
- Jamal Sims – “Step Up 3D”
- Benoit-Swan Pouffer – “The Adjustment Bureau”
For more information please visit www.theastaireawards.org.
On April 27, 2011 Manhattanites enjoyed the First Annual Good Shepherd Services Charity Event hosted by Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi. The event was glamorously held at Highline Stages, 440 West 15th Street, New York. Guests enjoyed cocktails and a fabulous dinner curated by Mario Batali.
Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi at Good Shepard First Annual Charity Event
Proceeds from this event will benefit Good Shepherd Services.
Good Shepherd Services is a primary youth development, education and family service agency that serves over 20,000 program participants each year. They provide vulnerable youth in New York City the opportunity to take ownership of their future, making a difference today and for the next generation.
The organization focuses on the necessary need of communities in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The organization provides a broad array of individual, family and school-based services to prevent youth from becoming disconnected from family, school and society. They also assist those who come to Good Shepherd Services already disengaged hoping to find motivation to reconnect with their community. When young individuals cannot stay in their families, Good Sheperd Services continues to provide a safety net of superior quality foster care and residential programs since its inception in 1857.
Celebrities that came to give their support included: Models Coco Rocha, Veronica Webb, Dominique Piek and Elbe van der Merwe, Actresses Kelly Rutherford and Mariska Hargitay, Filmmaker Ana Pincus, Food Critic Gail Simmons, and tunes were spun by Sky Nellor.
For more info please visit www.goodshepherds.org.
