Makarova Helps Honor Broadway's Best Hoofers - Natalia Makarova among Astaire Awards presenters - Brief Article

Dance Magazine, August, 2001 by Wendy Perron

The annual Astaire Awards, which honor Broadway's dancers and dancemakers, celebrated its twentieth year with a smashing afternoon of dances, film clips, and speeches--and a special appearance by Natalia Makarova.

Karen Ziemba, known as the insuppressible character in Contact who liberates all women from cranky, abusive husbands, was a radiant mistress of ceremonies at the Theatre Development Fund-sponsored event held at New York's Hudson Theatre in May. Tony Award-winning choreographer Scott Wise created ingenious numbers that showed the versatility and spirit of Broadway gypsies.

The Best Male Dancer award went to 42nd Street's Michael Arnold, who was up against Andre De Shields (The Full Monty) and David Elder (42nd Street). Kate Levering, also of 42nd Street, got Best Female Dancer over Carole Bentley (Follies) and Cady Huffman (The Producers). Susan Stroman was named Best Choreographer for her work on The Producers over Jerry Mitchell of The Full Monty and Randy Skinner of 42nd Street. The selection committee included Dance Magazine veterans Richard Philp, Clive Barnes, and Don McDonagh.

This year's high point was Natalia Makarova's presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Donald Saddler, choreographer for more than twenty Broadway shows (including Wonderful Town and No, No Nanette, for which he won Tonys), three films, and countless television specials. He was also a founding member of Ballet Theatre (later American Ballet Theatre) and has appeared in musicals. At the age of 81, he is now dancing eight shows a week in Follies. Makarova, in her thick Russian accent, told the gathering how Saddler coaxed her into On Your Toes. "It was unimaginable to speak onstage, especially in English--even now," said the former prima ballerina. At the audition, she panicked and ran into the street, with Saddler chasing her to drag her back. "I got the part," she said. "Not because of my speaking ability, but because of ... my legs."