Louis Falco
Louis Falco | |
---|---|
Falco in 1969. | |
Born | New York City | August 2, 1942
Died | March 26, 1993 New York City | (aged 50)
Cause of death | AIDS |
Occupation(s) | Dancer, choreographer |
Years active | 1960–1993 |
Louis Falco (August 2, 1942 – March 26, 1993) was an American dancer and choreographer.
Life and career
Louis Falco was born in New York City of southern Italian immigrant parents. He began his study of dance in the 1950s at The Henry Street Playhouse with Murray Louis and Alwin Nikolais. He attended the High School of Performing Arts and as a student began performing with Charles Weidman. In 1960 he began dancing professionally with José Limón, and also appeared with Flower Hujer, Alvin Ailey and Donald McKayle. He danced with the José Limón Dance Company from 1960–70 and danced opposite Rudolf Nureyev in Limon's The Moor's Pavane on Broadway from 1974-75. His farewell performance was with Luciana Savignano at La Scala Opera House in Milan in The Eagle's Nest.[1] Falco was considered an extraordinarily gifted dancer and charismatic performer.[2][3]
Falco made his debut as a choreographer in 1967. He was one of the first choreographers to experiment with rock bands and other innovations on stage, and he was noted for works created for his Louis Falco Dance Company and for his choreography of the 1980 motion picture Fame. After the explosive success of the film, he began a career in commercial choreography including music videos for a number of MTV artists. The Falco Company's last performance in New York City was for the inauguration of the Joyce Theater in 1982.
Falco completed choreography for several films and commissioned dance works, some of which were never performed in the United States. In 1986, he was recognized for a series of award winning television commercials. He died from AIDS in 1993.[1]
Works
Selected works include:
- Escargot
- The Sleepers
- Caviar
- Journal
- Argot
- Huescape
- Timewright
- Caviar
- The Eagle's Nest
- Nights In A Spanish Garden
- Tutti-frutti
- Cooking French
- Jack-In-The-Box
- Reunion in Portugal
- Journal
- Eclipse
- Caterpillar
- The Lobster Quadrille
- The Gamete Garden
Selected music videos:
- Kiss for Prince
- Why Can't I Have You for The Cars
- Country Boy for Ricky Scaggs
References
- ^ a b "The Repertory of Louis Falco". Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Louis Falco, choreographer". Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ McDonagh, Don (1976). The complete guide to modern dance.