Michael Kidd was a dancer and a choreographer who became interested in dance and theater through his older brother Phil Greenwald, who was a talent booker for the Concord Hotel in New York's Catskill Mountains. He made his Stage debut in 1937 in The Eternal Road, and in the same year became a member of American Ballet, and later the Ballet Caravan, where he stayed until 1940. He was able to dance with his first wife in 'Ballet Caravan' in 1939 and his second wife Shelah was in the chorus of 'Can-Can'.

In an interview Kidd credited Charley Chaplin as one of his biggest influences. He cited Chaplin's instinct for (pathos and) comedy as the foundation for his own efforts to shape characters and connect them emotionally with his audiences through

dance.

   Kidd went on to work with many stars such as Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Betty Grable etc. Danced in the movie "It's Always Fair Weather." Michael Kidd has won five Tony Awards* for his Broadway choreography "Finian's Rainbow" (1947), "Guys and Dolls" (1951), "Can-Can" (1953), "Li'l Abner" (1957) and "Destry Rides Again" (1959)... plus the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences lists that Kidd received an honorary Oscar at the ceremony in March 1997.

    Film wise ... he has choreographed many ... including Where's Charley? (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), Star! (1968), Hello, Dolly! (1969) and his masterpiece ... Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Michael danced in a few films but most notably with Gene Kelly and Dan Dailey in It's Always Fair Weather in 1955.

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