In the Company of Friends: The Dancers and Creative Talents of Director/Choreographer Gower Champion

Dancers Over 40 members have worked with many choreographers, but almost none as often as Director/Choreographer Gower Champion. The dancers and the creative talents associated with Mr. Champion from 1951’s Make a Wish to his last Broadway show, the smash 42nd Street in 1980 are represented on the stage of St. Luke’s Theater.

Two panels are presented, the first with dancers Lee Roy Reams (Hello, Dolly!, 42nd Street), Bob Fitch (42nd Street), Iva Withers (Make a Wish, The Happy Time), Ed Kressley (Bye, Bye, Birdie), Lars Rosager (42nd Street) and Johnny Nola (Carnival). The second panel includes dancer and Gower dance partner Marge Champion, Karin Baker (42nd Street), Gene Bayliss (Make a Wish, Carnival!, Bye, Bye, Birdie), Nicole Barth (Carnival!, Hello, Dolly! The Happy Time, Sugar) Bert Michaels (Mack and Mabel, Prettybelle) and Tony Stevens (Irene and Rockabye, Hamlet). And moderated by some TV guy – who knew? — featured in the original Hello, Tony Stevens Dolly! – David Hartman, host of Thirteen/WNET’s popular Walking Tours series! There are performances from Bye, Bye, Birdie, Carnival! and 42nd Street, and time to mix and mingle with the dancers and an opportunity to support DO40 with a Raffle and door prizes.