Dancin’ Fools – Session 1

Details

When:
No Class November 21

Where: The Loft Cinema

Cost: $165.00 6 class meetings

Type: In Person

Category:

• Humanities Courses
• Music & Theatre

Instructor: Richard T. Hanson is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona. At the School of Theatre Arts
Richard T. Hanson

The Art of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly once said that “the history of dance on film begins with Astaire.” One might say that the history of dance on film ends with Kelly. Dancin’ Fools will explore the Broadway and Hollywood careers of these two iconic song and dance men who define the Golden Age of movie musicals. Astaire’s elegance and Kelly’s athleticism transformed dance in popular culture and elevated it to the status of art. Astaire in his top hat and tails and Kelly in his white socks and loafers were a counter point to each other, enchanting audiences worldwide in over 60 movie musicals. Dancin’ Fools toasts the dream machine that produced the film classics Top Hat, On the Town, Swing Time, An American in Paris, Easter Parade and Singin’ in the Rain. Fred and Gene danced to the great American Song Book and the music of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen. Fred Astaire declared that “dancing is a sweat job.” Dancin’ Fools goes into the rehearsal studio and explores the choreographic process of Astaire and Kelly and the unforgettable numbers they did with Ginger and Judy and Cyd and Rita. Dancin’ Fools celebrates the genius of Fred and Gene whose art is timeless, so join me and Let’s Face the Music and Dance!