Lara Spencer, host of Good Morning America, criticized by Gene Kelly's widow – Deadline

by



[ad_1]

The widow of the famous actor / dancer Gene Kelly plunged into the fray in the face of Lara Spencer's comments on ballet.

Patricia Ward Kelly responded in an open letter after Spencer, the host of Good Morning America, mocked the young Prince George during his ballet lessons, holding back his laugh at the prospect of the six-year-old dance .

"In 1958, my late husband, dancer, director, choreographer Gene Kelly, decided to tackle the stigma facing male dancers in a television show for the NBC channel, Omnibus he created and interpreted in Dance, A man game, writes Ward Kelly. "Gene would be devastated to know that 61 years after her pioneering work, the issue of boys and men dancing is still being ridiculed – and a national network," she concluded:ABC must do better. "

Spencer is excused for his remarks made during a Thursday morning segment. She stated that George, the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, would study mathematics, science, history, religious studies, computer programming, poetry and ballet.

The list of "ballet" sparked public laughter and a reaction from George Stephanopoulos, co-host.

"Oh, he looks so happy about the ballet class," Spencer said. She went on to say that William stated that his son "loved ballet".

"I have news for you, Prince William: we'll see how long it lasts," says Spencer. "I mean, he could."

After a series of negative comments from choreographers and others, Spencer resumed his remarks. "My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday," she said. "From ballet to everything we want to explore in life, I say that we have to go there. I firmly believe that we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain and love every minute.

Open Letter from Patricia Ward Kelly:

In 1958, my late husband, dancer, director, choreographer Gene Kelly, decided to tackle the stigma of male dancers in a television show for Omnibus for the NBC channel that he had created and performed in "Dancing, A Man's Game" that by lining up the big stars of the sport of the day – Mickey Mantle, Johnny Unitas, Vic Seixas, Sugar Ray Robinson, among others – he could challenge and destroy the shame who reigned once and for all in the male dancers.For Gene, it was more than a professional task.In his words, it was a personal "crusade" to show that the dancers are athletes and that It is acceptable for a man to be gracious.As he says in the special: "What's more graceful than a football player who passes a pass – what's more exciting than beautifully fast movement of A double game? Every movement made by a good athlete is a so beautiful as that by a dancer. "

Unfortunately, on August 22, 2019, Hello America chose to lead a shameful segment on Prince George and his ballet classes. This host, Lara Spencer, would mock a boy's ballet study on a nationally televised morning show, and the fact that her colleagues would associate with her derision is both unacceptable and incomprehensible.

Gene was a classically trained ballet dancer and believed that his training was essential to everything he did. He was trained in Chicago by a woman named Berenice Holmes, a pupil of the great Russian dancer Adolph Bolm. Gene said that Holmes could perform a lot of complicated tricks better than a man, including a double air ride, and asked him to dance with great force, especially in his arms. He knew that the ballet training gave him the long and beautiful line he was looking for in his dance and, later, in his choreography for the camera that led to some of the most important films of our time, notably On the Town; An American in Paris; Sing in the rain; Brigadoon.

Over the years, Gene has advised many professional athletes to study ballet, including Willie Gault and Lynn Swann. Both recognize that the training has improved their performance in the field. Many have followed suit. Gene would be devastated to know that 61 years after his pioneering work, the issue of boys and men dancing is still being ridiculed – and on a national network.

ABC must do better.

Patricia Ward Kelly (Ms. Gene Kelly)

[ad_2]

Source link