/ Stars that died in 2023: Tony Stevens, American choreographer, dancer and actor, died from Hodgkin's lymphoma he was , 63.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Tony Stevens, American choreographer, dancer and actor, died from Hodgkin's lymphoma he was , 63.

Tony Stevens (born Anthony Pusateri; )was an American choreographer, dancer and director who worked with, danced with and directed many of Broadway's and Hollywood's best theatrecentric actors and actresses, including Chita Rivera, Martin Short, Robert Redford and Gene Kelly died from Hodgkin's lymphoma he was , 63..



(May 2, 1948 – July 12, 2011)

Early life and career

Stevens was born in Herculaneum, Mo. to a factory worker father and a mother who owned and operated a country 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 "The Boyfriend", and "Irene" amongst others. Stevens quickly rose to prominence in his field, becomming assistant choreographer on the original production of Bob Fosse's "Chicago". Perhaps his most important contribution during this time however, was a series of taped workshop sessions with Michon Peacock in which dancers laid their life stories bare. Those tapes eventually led to the text and subject matter of the internationally famous musical "A Chorus Line".

Broadway and Hollywood

As well as performing in "Hello, Dolly!" and "Seesaw", Stevens was co-choreographer with Gower Champion on "Rockabye Hamlet" in 1976, choreographed the Frank Loesser revue "Perfectly Frank" in 1980, , Stevens also did choreography for the films "The Great Gatsby" with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, "Johnny Dangerously" with Michael Keaton and "She's Having A Baby" with Kevin Bacon[2], among others. 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".

Modern Broadway

Always in demand, Stevens worked steadily on Broadway as trends and tastes changed. Off-Broadway he choreographed "Zombie Prom", "The Body Shop", and directed and choreographed "Sheba". He also did the National tours of "Dreamgirls" 1997 and 1998, and the 20th Anniversary Tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Other cutting edge work included "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare", the recreation of Bob Fosse's original choreography for "Chita River; A Dancers Life on Broadway", staging numbers for Martin Short and Nathan Lane on "Late Night with David Letterman," and was currently developing the new musical "La Familglia".[3]

Death

Stevens died in 2011 after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.

 

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