Icon of the Day – Saturday, February 27, 2021 – GEORGE FAISON
George W. Faison is an American dancer, choreographer, teacher, and theater producer, and winner of a 1975 Tony, a Drama Desk Award, and a 1991 nominee for the Emmy Award for choreography. He was a featured dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founder of the George Faison Universal Dance Experience, and co-founder/producing artistic director of the Faison Firehouse Theater. His most well known work as a choreographer is the groundbreaking 1975 production of The Wiz.
WATCH Stephanie Mills and the cast of “The Wiz” perform a medley form the show
READ more about George Faison’s expansive career
LOOK at Playbills from George Faison’s career on Playbill Vault
LISTEN to the original cast of “Purlie” on Spotify
Each Day in February check back here and on our social media channels we’ll be celebrating an influential Black Musical Theatre Artist.
Black Broadway History – Fridays in February at 7pm (PST)
Hosted by Stevi Meredith and streaming live on Musical Theatre West’s website, plus Facebook and YouTube Platforms, enjoy free 30-minute history classes (donations are encouraged). All donations go directly to the teaching artists.
February 5 – Florence Mills, Broadway’s Queen of Happiness
February 12 – Show Boat, Porgy & Bess
February 19 – Hello, Dolly!, Your Arms Too Short To Box with God, Guys & Dolls, The Wiz
February 26 – Ragtime, Jelly’s Last Jam, The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys, Hamilton
Black Broadway Choreography – Saturdays in February at 11am (PST)
30-minute choreography classes focusing on the work of an influential Black choreographer. Pay What You Can, $15 donation recommended. All donations go directly to the teaching artists. Register for each class below.
February 6 – Antoine T. Lee – Celebrating the work of Camille A. Brown (Tony Nominee Choir Boy, Once on this Island, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert”)
February 13 – Brandon Burks – Teaches Tap – Celebrating the work of artists like Savion Glover (Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk) and Gregory Hines (Sophisticated Ladies, Jelly’s Last Jam). PLEASE NOTE – THIS CLASS BEGINS AT 12 NOON (PST)
February 20 –Tyrick Wiltez Jones – Celebrating the work of Michael Peters (Tony Winner, Dreamgirls)
February 27 – Grasan Kingsberry – Celebrating the work of George Faison (The Wiz, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, “The Josephine Baker Story”)
