5 replies to this topic

[pasdechat]

Hi haven't written in a while but over the weekend I bought a book secondhand and it was written by Sono Osata.(Distant Dances)  Anyone have anything they remember about her?

[Alexandra]

I don't remember her, unfortunately, but that's one of my favorite dance books.  I remember thinking at the time how wonderful it was that it got published, because she wasn't a big star (she was a young soloist at ABT when she stopped dancing) but it was absolutely fascinating to read about someone working with Tudor at her level (Rosaline in Romeo and Juliet and one of the Lovers in Experience in Pillar, I think, though this is from memory).  You usually only read about principals, and, of course, the other characters are important as well.  She's a good writer, too.  Glad you found it!

I hope some of our more experienced balletgoers can tell us something about her.

[pasdechat]

I am still reading it, but she had so much exposure with the Ballet Ruses, it amazed me that I had never seen her name before now.  I read a lot.

[Manhattnik]

I believe that after leaving ABT, Osato had quite a career in musicals and films.

[atm711]

Since Osato left Ballet Theatre in the mid-40's I didn't see much of her dancing, but I do remember her as Rosaline in Tudor's R&J and she looked wonderful in those Renaissancey costumes!  I did see her in the Robbins musical "On The Town" (the take-off  on Fancy Free) and she had the major
starring role and portrayed "Miss Subways". Nancy Walker was also in the show.