Theater News

Laura Benanti, Kiril Kulish, Valerie Harper, et al. Set for America Dances!; Patrick Swayze Honored

Patrick Swayze
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Patrick Swayze
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

An updated list of performers has been announced for America Dances! Celebrating Our Sparkling Heritage – Broadway, TV & Film, the 24th anniversary jubilee of Career Transition for Dancers, to be held at New York City Center on November 2 at 7pm. Ann Marie DeAngelo will produce and direct the event.

As previously announced, film, TV, and stage star Patrick Swayze will posthumously receive the Rolex Dance Award at the event, which will also honor Lawrence Herbert and the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, who will receive the Career Transition For Dancers’ Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance.

The evening will include appearances by Ashley Bouder & Andrew Veyette, Laura Benanti, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Bullettrun, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Dancing with the Stars, Jacques d’Amboise, Decadancetheatre, Electric Boogaloo’s Mr. Wiggles, Nicole Fosse, Stephen Hanna, Valerie Harper, Kiril Kulish, Robert LaFosse, Lombard Twins, Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, Kathleen Marshall, Samuel Ramey, Desmond Richardson, John Selya, So You Think You Can Dance, Sophisticated Ladies – Tribute to Duke Ellington, Jock Soto, Step UP 3, The Street Beats Group, Tap City Youth Ensemble, and Sonya Tayeh Dance.

Swayze, who died in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer on September 14, began his performance career as a dancer, studying with the Harkness Ballet Company and the Joffrey before becoming a principal dancer for Eliot Feld Ballet. He starred on Broadway as Danny Zuko in Grease prior to making his film debut. Other Broadway credits include Goodtime Charley and Chicago, and he played Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls in London in 2006. He’s best known for his film work, including starring roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. He recently starred in the A&E television FBI drama The Beast.

Show only tickets begin at $45, with gala tickets beginning at $600. Call 212-228-7446 x33. For more information, visit www.careertransition.org.