Jack Cole was an American dancer, choreographer, and theatre director known as the father of theatrical jazz dance. He virtually invented the idiom of American Show Dancing, or theater dance, that is still seen in today's musicals and films. Cole danced...
[more]Jack Cole was an American dancer, choreographer, and theatre director known as the father of theatrical jazz dance. He virtually invented the idiom of American Show Dancing, or theater dance, that is still seen in today's musicals and films.
Cole danced with the Denishawn Dance Company led by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. He also performed with Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman.
Cole is credited with choreographing and/or directing the stage musicals Alive and Kicking, Magdalena, Carnival in Flanders, Zenda, Foxy, Kismet, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Kean, Donnybrook!, Jamaica, and Man of La Mancha.
His film work includes Moon Over Miami, Cover Girl, Tonight and Every Night, Gilda, Down To Earth, The Merry Widow, Meet Me After The Show, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, There's No Business Like Show Business, The I Don't Care Girl, The Thrill of Brazil, Kismet, Les Girls, Let's Make Love, and many others. He was most famous in Hollywood for his work with Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe.
Cole's dance style has influenced the work of Gwen Verdon, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and countless other dancers and choreographers.
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