Tommy Tune

A detailed Summary of Tommy Tune

There are many great American choreographers of our time. It is through their creative genious that musicals and movies are made memorable. If it wasn't for the work of these choreographers, musical theatre wouldn't be what it is today. It is because of these choreographers that musical theatre is what it is. These choreographers brought to musical theatre dance technique that was only once used in ballet. In fact it was because of this that ballet and jazz, as well as all the other forms of dance.

One of these great American choreographers is Tommy Tune. Tommy Tune was born on February 28, 1939 on Wichita Falls, Texas. He was born to the parents of Jim P. and Eva Mae Tune. He was the only son of these Jim and Eva Tune. Tommy and his family moved to Houston, Texas in the early 1940's. His father went to Houston to service oil rigs. Jim Tune also trained horses as a hobby and side income for the family. It was here that "Young Tommy Tune often dallied around the paddocks, attempting to imitate the horses' gaits."(p417, Moritz) Already we can see that Tommy had a gift for copying moves and gestures, which is a main form of dance. Dance was evident in Tommy's blood. In fact both of Tommy's parents were both amateur ballroom da

Tommy Tune went to California to work as assistant choreographer and dancer on The Dean Martin Show. Tune was rescued from his stint on the show by doing a movie with Twiggy. It was this movie that made Tommy Tune noticed nationwide. After the movie Tommy went to Chicago to work on the play Two for the Seesaw. Tommy was called in to choreograph, and direct the show, however after seeing his talent he was also casted into the show. Tommy explained his dance style, he claimed, "I like to get an image in my head of something-just about anything- the slow gait of a five-gaited horse, a giraffe running over a plain, a rubber band being streched- and I let the image work through the rest of my body." When Two for the Seesaw opened in New York, it opened to rave reviews. However after that, he had some trouble finding jobs. So Tune realized that he had to change his goal if he still wanted a career in theatre.

Tommy Tune agreed to direct an off-broadway play The Club. Tune received the credit for this plays success, and marked his beginning as a director, and a successful director. In 1977 Tune was asked to get The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas up and going. He helped add punchier numbers, choreographed the show, and gave it an overall style. It was quite clear that Tommy Tune made it in the theatre word. Although this wasn't what Tommy originally dreamt of, it was more than he could ever ask for. Tommy was involved in dance by choreographing and acting and singing through his directing. Tommy continued to make a successful career in directing and especially in choreography. Tommy Tune's

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