Funny Face Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 The university at which I have just completed a major in ballet is also the only university in the state to have a dance major program, and therefore, because I am the oldest dance major to ever be accepted and complete the program at this university, I am also the oldest in the history of my state. I'm getting ready to start scripting my story about overcoming a number of obstacles, including having cancer and losing my fiance in the process, to complete the degree with a 4.0, and I would dearly love all suggestions about actors who would be appropriate for such a role. Obviously, I would prefer that they have strong dance backgrounds. And they can't be too young or too old. The character would be in her 40s but look somewhat younger. (I was told while growing up that I resembled a wonderful actress who also dances and played "Cinderella" many years ago, but I haven't seen her in anything for a while). Suggestions, anyone? Link to comment
Hans Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Do you mean Leslie Caron? I think she'd be too old by now. She was in "The Glass Slipper," which is an interesting version of the Cinderella story. There's a fun dance sequence in there involving fouettés on top of an enormous wedding cake and piqué turns around all the layers . Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Leslie Anne Warren? She was a nice dancer. Link to comment
Giannina Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Ahhhh; Leslie Anne Warren. Forgive me straying just a tad here, but one of my all time favorite movie roles is Leslie Anne Warren in "Victor Victoria"! Funny Face, congratulations on your scholastic accomplishment. Giannina Link to comment
Funny Face Posted April 16, 2004 Author Share Posted April 16, 2004 Thanks. Actually, she goes by "Lesley-Ann," which is an important detail if I want to approach her for the role. Chronologically, she's about 10 years older than the character, but she is still so youthful looking that I think she could do it well. Other age appropriate actresses who dance: Jane Seymour, Linda Purl. The latter hasn't been too visible in recent years, but I hear that she's been doing a lot more stage work, including a cabaret act and is supposed to sing quite well, which would be beneficial. She's also an ardent travel adventurer, which also appeals to me. So far, Lesley-Ann seems to have the right emotional quality. I like her femininity and vulnerability, and she has a woman's body. But please keep coming with comments and suggestions. Link to comment
Hal Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 :shrug: Why are you only considering actresses who can dance? How about dancers who could act? I am not sure how much dancing is required, but Merrill Ashley and Kyra Nichols come to mind. Both have done terrific Carabossa's and Kyra was wonderful as the mean mother in Double Feature. If Barishnikov can act why not some older ballerinas? Link to comment
carbro Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Leslie Browne? (Oh, this thread is getting heavy with Leslies/LesleyAnns!) Julie Kent? Both dancers have big-time film experience. Going in another direction, it seems that Nicole Kidman is showing up just about everywhere lately. Link to comment
Giannina Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 Catherine Zeta-Jones!!! Giannina Link to comment
Funny Face Posted April 17, 2004 Author Share Posted April 17, 2004 Hmmmm, I think Zeta-Jones is only 32, quite a bit younger than the character. And frankly, a little dishy! I was focusing more on actresses who dance than vice versa, because there is a lot of pathos to convey which is going to require a lot more than good extension. There are traumatic events, such as losing your fiance on the eve of your third cancer surgery -- only to become too sick with grief for the surgery to go forward, and then to be postponed indefinitely because your specialized surgeon needs a medical leave. (All true, and that's only the beginning). Funny thing -- tonight the movie "Romantic Comedy" was on tv. I played on stage the same role that Janet Eilber plays in the film. Some people might remember her most for her roles in some movies in the 1980s, such as that one and "Hard to Hold" with Rick Springfield. But she was principal dancer for Martha Graham's company, and a good friend of Jacques d'Amboise. working with him in the early days of the National Dance Insitute outreach program for kids in New York. She's also a little older than the character, but a gorgeous woman and dancer. Link to comment
carbro Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Katherine Healy , the only credible actor in Six Weeks, a horrible film . That is, if you can pry her away from the rink. I have trouble believing that she's already about 40 , but it gibes with my quick calculations. Link to comment
Leigh Witchel Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Did a quick Google. She won Varna in '83 at age 14. That makes her around 34-5. Link to comment
carbro Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Phew! Thanks, Leigh. A relief to know I'm not aging as fast as it seems -- except where math aptitude is concerned. Link to comment
Funny Face Posted April 17, 2004 Author Share Posted April 17, 2004 She's wonderfully talented -- I have tapes of her both skating as a child for Curry and her more recent performances on ice. But I knew she was still rather young when she did an exhibition performance at a natl. competition (Dick Button was crazy about her) not that many years ago at the age of 29, having just re-entered the skating world. This is going to be tough -- lots of people a bit too young or a bit too old. Shirley Maclaine at the age she did "The Turning Point" would be perfect. I'm a generation too late. Link to comment
pleiades Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Jane Krakowski dances, as does Cynthia Gibb (she was in the television series Fame, just turned 40) Link to comment
Funny Face Posted April 19, 2004 Author Share Posted April 19, 2004 Thanks. I'd forgotten about Jane Krakowski. I have the movie "Steppin' Out" in which she plays one of Liza Minelli's tap students. I also saw her wonderful 'audition' for "Chorus Line" in "Ally McBeal." Link to comment
Helene Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Meg Tilly is also in her early 40's, and I remember her putting her leg behind her ear in The Big Chill. Link to comment
silvy Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Sarah Jessica Parker? I read she has a ballet background Link to comment
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