An Evening with Legendary Dancer and Actress, Cyd Charisse

The 47th Festival will be hosting an onstage interview with legendary dancer and actress, Cyd Charisse, followed by a screening of the classic film, Silk Stockings (1957). A star of numerous films during the heyday of the American musical, Cyd Charisse has been referred to by many film historians as one of the greatest female dancers in the history of the movie musical.

Roxanne Messina Captor, executive director of the Festival, said “ Cyd Charisse is definitely one of our great screen treasures and has contributed so much to the world of dance and in particular, dance in film. While working as Gene Kelly’s assistant choreographer, I had a unique opportunity to study Ms. Charisse’s style and work. It is a dream come true to now honor her at our Festival.”

A ballet prodigy from childhood, Charisse was featured in the Ballet Russe at age 13. She made her film debut in a handful of musical shorts in 1941. By 1945, she was hired to dance with Fred Astaire in Ziegfeld Follies and that appearance led her to a seven-year contract with MGM. She appeared in a number of musicals over the next few years, but it was Stanley Donen’s Singin’ in the Rain (1952) that made her a star. That was followed by her great performance in The Band Wagon (1953) and her signature role, Silk Stockings.

Silk Stockings is derived from a Cole Porter stage musical of the same name, which was itself a reworking of the classic film, Ninotchka (1939). The musical film, directed by Rouben Momoulian, tells the story of an alluring, but aloof Communist (Charisse) who visits Paris on an assignment and falls in love with a charming American filmmaker (Astaire).

The onstage interview, facilitated by local television personality, Jan Wahl, will be held at the Castro Theatre Friday, April 16 at 7:00 pm with the screening of Silk Stockings to follow.