Tony Stevens (choreographer)
Tony Stevens (May 2, 1948 – July 12, 2011), born Anthony Pusateri, was an American
Early life and performance career
Stevens was born in Herculaneum, Missouri to a factory worker father and a mother who owned and operated a small town general store. He debuted on Broadway in 1969, dancing in The Fig Leaves Are Falling (book and lyrics by Allan Sherman and music by Albert Hague). This was followed by roles in the 1970s productions of Billy, Jimmy, The Boy Friend, On the Town, Seesaw, and Irene,[2] in addition to the 1973 benefit concert Sondheim: A Musical Tribute. Stevens also went on to perform with Chita Rivera and Christopher Chadman in Rivera's acclaimed nightclub act Chita Plus Two, which he also choreographed.[3]
Choreography and A Chorus Line
As his career as a Broadway gypsy took off, Stevens transitioned into a choreographer, assisting Peter Gennaro on Irene and co-choreographing the short-lived rock musical Rockabye Hamlet with Gower Champion. In 1975, Stevens had the honor of assisting Bob Fosse on the musical Chicago, which starred Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera, who would become a lifelong friend and frequent collaborator with Stevens. Additional choreography credits include the short-lived Broadway musical Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It) and the Frank Loesser revue Perfectly Frank on Broadway in 1980.
Perhaps Stevens' greatest contribution to musical theatre history, however, was his decision to organize a series of tape sessions among Broadway dancers with
Hollywood
Stevens' choreography credits soon expanded to include film and TV as well. In 1974, Stevens choreographed the dance sequences in The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow; he then went on to choreograph such films as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, and Johnny Dangerously with Michael Keaton, and She's Having a Baby with Kevin Bacon.[5] Some television credits include specials for Mary Tyler Moore, Cheryl Ladd, Disneyland's 30th Anniversary, and the People's Choice Awards. He also performed in the film Tommy and the 1971 TV special of Dames at Sea starring Ann-Margret and Ann Miller.
Dr. Pepper TV commercials
But Stevens' high energy and infectious choreography was most widely seen,
Modern Broadway
Always in demand, Stevens worked steadily on Broadway as trends and tastes changed. Off-Broadway he choreographed
Death
Stevens died in 2011 after battling
References
- ^ "Tony Stevens Bio". www.broadwaydancecenter.com. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ "Tony Stevens IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ISBN 978-0306812842
- ^ Walsh, Thommie in Lee, Baayork et al. (2006) On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Productions
- ^ "Tony Stevens Dies at 63". www.dancestudiolife.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ For The Love Of 'Mike' Director On Shelf, But Not Show. Nels Nelson. philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network (Digital) LLC. January 11, 1988. Retrieved September 3, 2015
- ^ Godspell Jubilant Theatre Diane Hubbard Burns. The Palm Beach Post. August 10, 1979. Retrieved September 3, 2015
- ^ Auden, Sandy (2006). "Getting Naked: An American Werewolf in London Revealed -- An Interview with David Naughton". The SF Site.
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(help) - ^ Jerry Mitchell Creating Musical Theatre: Conversations with Broadway Directors and Choreographers. Lyn Cramer. Bloomsbury Publishing. December 2, 2013.
- ^ "Tony Stevens Dies at 63". www.playbill.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ "In Celebration of Tony Stevens Announcement". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
External links
- Dance Centre faculty
- Salute to Gershwin video on YouTube
- From Chicago To Fosse on YouTube