Jerome Robbins's story is as distinctively American as his choreography. Born Jerome Wilson Rabinowitz in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Robbins (1918–1998) became a Broadway chorus boy in 1938 before joining Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, ultimately dancing lead roles. Robbins also became one of the 20th century's most highly regarded choreographers, including for the 1957 Broadway hit West Side Story
. Other Broadway successes include On the Town
, The King and I
and Peter Pan
, and significant ballets such as Fancy Free
, The Cage
and Dances at a Gathering
. With precision, lucidity and insight, Village Voice
dance critic Jowitt (Time and the Dancing Image
) chronicles Robbins's extensive career, as well as his struggles with bisexuality, ambivalence about his Jewish heritage, and his decision to name names before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in the 1950s. Given unrestricted access to Robbins's personal and professional papers, Jowitt adds a new vulnerability and humanity to the legend: Robbins was infamous for his perfectionism, insecurity and temper. "I... still have terrible pangs of terror when I feel my career, work, veneer of accomplishments would be taken away," wrote the man who worked alongside Bernstein and Balanchine, "that I panicked & crumbled & returned to that primitive state of terror—the facade of Jerry Robbins would be cracked open, and everyone would finally see Jerome Wilson Rabinowitz." Both critically sophisticated and compulsively readable, this is a must for theater and dance devotees. Agent, Robert Cornfield.
(Aug.)
Forecast:
S&S has high hopes for this volume—and they won't be disappointed, for this bio of an American icon will draw attention from both the dance and musical theater worlds, and an NPR-driven campaign will help get the word out.
