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Keystone Art Cinema Indianapolis
United States
Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance

by Rita Kohn
May 9, 2012
Keystone Art Cinema Indianapolis
8702 Keystone Crossing, Suite 201A
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 579-3009
This review was originally published in NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis, IN.

Rita Kohn is a member of the Board of the Dance Critics Association.
Scintillating with the edgy, raw, passionate energy propelling Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino into mid-20th century uncharted dance territory, this film focuses on dancers' memories, dance footage and surrounding events to show how and why Joffrey Ballet became a company of "firsts" with the ability to last despite recurrent financial challenges. Founded in 1956 with six dancers touring wherever in a station wagon pulling a trailer, each of Joffrey Ballet's re-incarnations further broke down barriers between stage and seats, making dance performance up close and personal. The film reveals a legacy of gutsy change and innovation including now being a Chicago icon.

Indiana Joffrey connections go beyond performances at Clowes, and include Indy native Robert R. Hesse having been executive director 1983-86, former Joffrey principal dancer Scott Jovovich now serving as Indianapolis School of Ballet guest faculty and South Bend native Amber Neumann currently a Joffrey dancer.

Feature length documentary executive produced by Harold Ramis and Jay Alix, produced by Una Jackman and Erica Mann Ramis, directed by Bob Hercules, narrated by Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Mandy Patinkin.

Joffrey: Mavericks of Dance will premiere nationwide on the American Masters series Friday, December 28, 2012 at 9pm (ET/PT) on PBS (check local listings).

The film will stream after the premiere at www.pbs.org/americanmasters


Movie Site: www.joffreymovie.com
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/JoffreyMovie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoffreyBalletMovie
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/JoffreyMovie
Joffrey Ballet Site: joffrey.org
Photo courtesy Joffrey Ballet

Photo courtesy Joffrey Ballet


Joffrey Ballet dancers in Gerald Arpino's 'Light Rain'.

Joffrey Ballet dancers in Gerald Arpino's "Light Rain".

Photo © & courtesy of Herbert Migdoll


Joffrey Ballet dancers in Kurt Jooss' 'The Green Table'.

Joffrey Ballet dancers in Kurt Jooss' "The Green Table".

Photo © & courtesy of Herbert Migdoll


Christian Holder and Nancy Robinson in Robert Joffrey's 'Astarte'.

Christian Holder and Nancy Robinson in Robert Joffrey's "Astarte".

Photo © & courtesy of Herbert Migdoll

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