Lawrence Leritz

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Lawrence Leritz
Lawrence Leritz at The Legacy Awards
Lawrence Leritz in Dec. 2021
Born (1962-09-26) September 26, 1962 (age 61)
Alton, Illinois

Lawrence Leritz (born September 26, 1962) is an American actor, dancer, singer, producer, director, fitness expert and choreographer.

Life and career

Born in Alton, Illinois, Leritz made his stage debut in the children's chorus of the world stage premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical State Fair at The Muny, starring Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, directed by James Hammerstein, supervised by Richard Rodgers, conducted by Anton Coppola and choreographed by Tommy Tune.[1]

Leritz moved to New York City with scholarships to the

Stanley Williams and the Bolshoi's Māris Liepa. While dancing in a company class at The New York City Ballet, he was discovered by Balanchine ballerina Violette Verdy who invited him to join The Hamburg Ballet.[2]
Leritz continued his dancing career on the international stages, starring with
Balanchine's "Vienna Waltzes." Leritz appeared three times on the cover of Dance Pages Magazine, including the Spring 1989 issue, in which he wrote an article which introduced and encouraged bodybuilding for dancers. Appearing on the cover with bodybuilding champion Rich Gaspari, his article helped to change the look of professional dancers.[3] In 2006, Leritz was included in Harvard University's George Balanchine Collection of The New York City Ballet at The Harvard Theatre Collection and The Harvard College Library. Leritz's television dance appearances include the 2013 Emmy Award winning "Night Of Too Many Stars" on Comedy Central, performing as Keitel's wise guy in "Call Me Maybe" with Carly Rae Jepsen and Harvey Keitel at the historic Beacon Theatre (New York City).[4] Leritz was featured in The New York Times dance article, Your First Dance Crush, July 2013.[5]

Leritz was chosen by director/choreographer

Lorene Yarnell in Cole Porter's Can-Can, receiving excellent reviews. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted "Can-Can opened in dazzling style, reminiscent of the Muny glory days, weaving a magic spell. Leritz and Yarnell are teamed in exciting style. The dancing is fabulous." Leritz appeared Off-Broadway in "Funding The Arts" at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, acting and dancing the role of J. Edgar.[8] Leritz also appeared in The Joe Layton Tribute at Off-Broadway's St Luke's Theater hosted by Bruce Vilanch,[9] in The Madeline Kahn Tribute, singing at New York's Metropolitan Room [10] and co-hosted the Off-Broadway tribute to dance legend Ruth Page.[11]

On television, Leritz had the honor of leading NBC's 2017 annual

Maury,[15] CNN's Showbiz Tonight and Entertainment Tonight. Leritz hosted and created the best-selling DVD Total Stretch! with Lawrence Leritz".[16]

Leritz's many feature films include the 2022 award-winning comedy Love in Kilnerry as Deputy Rory, The Con Is On starring Uma Thurman, The Adjustment Bureau opposite Matt Damon,[17] Julie Taymor's Across the Universe,[18] Dummy with Adrien Brody,[19] Easy Money with Rodney Dangerfield,[20] Legs with Gwen Verdon[21] Annie (1982 film) with Carol Burnett, and the HBO feature Stag with Ben Gazzara, Kevin Dillon and Taylor Dayne.[22] Leritz co-starred in the 2017 comedy short film, The Pitch.

Leritz is the Spectrum Records recording artist of the dance hit single "Crank It Up" produced by

Stardust Hotel
during its final months. Leritz made his recording debut with the NYC club hit, "It Takes Two To Tango".

Leritz choreographed the

Huntington Disease NY, Leritz choreographed highlights from Grease with several original Broadway cast members.[25]

During the 2003–2004 New York theatre season, Leritz was the producer and choreographer of the long running Off-Broadway show, Boobs! The Musical at The Triad.[26] The New York Times review noted "The six person cast is expertly choreographed by Lawrence Leritz."[27] Boobs! The Musical was nominated for the 2004 MAC Awards for Best Musical Revue and won New Orleans' 2005 Big Easy and Ambie Awards. For television, Leritz produced three seasons of the annual event "Day of Compassion", for which Time magazine honored Leritz as their 1996 Local Hero.[28]

Leritz directed and produced a tribute, hosted by Tyne Daly, to honor Welcome Back, Kotter's Ron Palillo's life and career at NYC's The Triad Theatre, October 3, 2012.[29][30] Leritz also produced three staged industry readings of Ron Palillo's play, "The Lost Boy" for the New York stage.[31] Broadway's Chad Kimball, Matt Doyle, Jennifer Cody, Sheffield Chastain, Mary Beth Peil, Elizabeth Morton and Celeste Lecesne starred in the initial reading of "The Lost Boy", September 2014, at the Manhattan Theatre Club Studios.[32] Leritz returned to The Triad Theatre to direct A Toast To Harvey! on June 22, 2022 starring Joel Grey, Lee Roy Reams, Tony Yazbeck, Jim Brochu, Anita Gilette, Penny Worth and Marianne Tatum, celebrating the life and career of Harvey Evans.[33]

Awards, nominations and citations

  • 2018 The Dancers Over 40 Legacy Award
  • 2004 MAC Awards Best Musical Revue (Producer nominee)
  • 2005 Big Easy Awards Best Musical (Producer nominee)
  • 2006 Teall Awards Best Musical (Producer nominee)
  • 2006 Teall Awards Best Choreography (nominee, based on original choreography by Lawrence Leritz)
  • 1996 Time magazine's Local Hero
  • 1987 Lawrence Leritz Day Proclamation, Alton, Illinois
  • 1983 Lawrence Leritz Day Proclamation, Wood River, Illinois

See also

References

  1. ^ https://callmeadam.squarespace.com/interviews/z4l9b4jgjkxbddpdx6584gnge254rs. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Photos: The Hamburg Ballet Celebrates 50 Years with Alumni Reunion".
  3. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Lawrence Leritz Joins NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS, 10/21". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "Your First Dance Crush". The New York Times. July 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "Lawrence Leritz – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". IBDb.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Fonteyn & Nureyev on Broadway – Broadway Special – Original". IBDb.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. ^ "Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents FUNDING FOR THE ARTS, May 12–16". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  9. ^ "Dancers Over 40 to Honor Joe Layton 10/20 with 'I LIKE YOUR STYLE' Tribute at St. Luke's Theater". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  10. ^ "Copeland, Willison, Harada, Rice & Leritz Set for Madeline Kahn Show at Metropolitan Room, 9/12k". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "Dance and Broadway Legend Ruth Page to be Honored at St. Luke's 3/23". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nathan Lane/Metallica". IMDb.com. December 6, 1997. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "La Douleur Exquise!". IMDb.com. August 22, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "The Rosie O'Donnell Show". IMDb.com. June 10, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  15. ^ "Day of Compassion". IMDb.com. June 20, 1997. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  16. ^ "Total Stretch! With Lawrence Leritz". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Movie Reviews". The New York Times. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  18. ^ "Search for lawrence leritz - InBaseline". Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  19. ^ "Brzuchomówca / Dummy". Filmweb.pl. November 26, 2002. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "Easy Money (1983) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  21. ^ "Legs". IMDb.com. May 2, 1983. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Stag | Variety". Archived from the original on February 5, 2013.
  23. ^ "The Last Dragon". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
  24. ^ "Exclusive Photo Flash: Dancers Over 40 Presents We're Still Here! Concert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  25. ^ "Mark Baker, Anna Bergman, Carole Demas, Ilene Kristen, Heather MacRae, Steve Ross, Jane Summerhays, Walter Willison Set for Curtain's up Benefit - Playbill.com". Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  26. ^ "Lortel Archives-The Internet Off-Broadway Database". Lortel.org. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  27. ^ Gates, Anita (May 29, 2003). "THEATER REVIEW; She Doesn't Need Her Vocal Chords to Sing". The New York Times.
  28. ^ ADAMS, KATHLEEN; JEFFREY H. BIRNBAUM; CHARLOTTE FALTERMAYER; JANICE M. HOROWITZ; LINA LOFARO; TYLER MARONEY; BRIAN REID; ALAIN L. SANDERS (June 24, 1996). "NOTEBOOK". Time. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  29. ^ "Memorial Celebration for Ron Palillo Will be Held in October - Playbill.com". Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  30. ^ "Tyne Daly to Host Ron Palillo Tribute at The Triad, 10/3". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  31. ^ BWW News Desk. "Ron Palillo's THE LOST BOY Heads to NYC". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  32. ^ "Chad Kimball, Mary Beth Peil & More Join Cast of LOST BOY Reading". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "Broadway Star Tony Yazbeck Joins A TOAST TO HARVEY! at The Triad". Retrieved June 17, 2022.

Other sources

External links

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