Full Description
From the vaudeville gyrations of New York Giants star pitchers Rube Marquard and Christy Mathewson, to Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra as hoofing infielders in Take Me Out to the Ball Game, to the stage and screen versions of Damn Yankees, the connection between baseball and dance is an intimate, perhaps surprising one.
Covering more than a century of dancing ballplayers and baseball-inspired dance, this entertaining study examines the connection in film and television, in theatrical productions and in choreography created for some of the greatest dancers and dance companies in the world.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments and Dedication
Foreword by Edward Villella
Preface
Introduction—The Ballet of Baseball: Pirouettes on the Pitcher's Mound and Jetés in the Outfield
1. On Stage I: Music Halls, Vaudeville, Broadway and More—19th Century through Early 20th Century
Interlude: Choreographers on Dance and Baseball—Chris Black, Gail Conrad and Ana Maria Tekina-eirú Maynard
2. On Stage II: Theater from the Mid-20th Century through the Early 21st
Interlude: Choreographers and Dancers on Dance and Baseball—
Louis Kavouras, Peter Pucci and Nick Ross
3. On Stage III: Concert Dance in the 20th Century
Interlude: Choreographers and Dancers on Dance and Baseball—
Lisa de Ribere, Christopher Fleming and Marianna Tcherkassky
4. On Stage IV: Concert Dance in the Early 21st Century
Interlude: A Physical Therapist, a Ballet Company Volunteer Coordinator, a Dance Company Director and a Baseball Executive Talk about Dance and Baseball—Dean Caswell, Joan Quatrano, Lynn Parkerson and Steve Cohen
5. In Front of the Camera: Film, Television and Video
Final Thoughts: Interviews with Moses Pendleton and Edward Villella
Appendix: Baseball and Dance in Youth Literature
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
