Come Fly Away: Tharp Back To Broadway

This spring, award-winning dancer and choreographer, Twyla Tharp, will be directing the new musical Come Fly Away on Broadway. The production features the music and voice of Frank Sinatra, backed by a live orchestra and the artistic vision of Tharp.

Tharp is a world-renowned choreographer who spent five years of her early career in New York City "working very seriously, with complete commitment, for not a penny," as she told the Academy of Achievement upon her induction in 1993. Consequently, her efforts have produced a boastful resume of awards and accomplishments.

Known for her unique blend of modern dance and ballet (though she doesn't like the phrase 'modern dance'), Tharp's efforts have amassed to one hundred thirty-five choreographed dances, five choreographed Hollywood movies, and four Broadway shows choreographed and directed. Her Broadway credits include The Times They Are A-Changin' featuring the music of Bob Dylan, and Movin' Out, based on the music of Billy Joel.

Broadway Show: Come Fly Away

Notably, Movin' Out received a more-than-modest list of awards: 2003 Tony Award, 2003 Astaire Award, and the Drama League Award for Sustained Achievement in Musical Theater, to name a few. What's more, Tharp has also been the recipient of two Emmy Awards, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, and was listed on US News and World Report's America's Best Leaders in 2009.

Though born in Portland, Indiana, Tharp spent much of her childhood in California where she attended Pacific High School in San Bernardino and the Vera Lynn School of Dance, filling in the gaps working at her parent's local drive-in movie theater. She later began studies at Pomona College in California, though would transfer and finish at Barnard College in New York City.

It was in NYC where she was privileged to study with Martha Graham (known for modern dance and originality) and Merce Cunningham (popular for American avant garde), eventually leading to the creation of her own dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance, founded in 1965.

Tharp admits she feels restless and jittery when not active. But to this day that vigor is continually channeled into creative output that began a penniless, but focused, foundation. And for someone who "had to become the greatest choreographer" of her time, as she told The Academy of Achievement, that's no surprise. "That was my mission, and that's what I set out to do."

You can catch Twyla Tharp's production of Come Fly Away on Broadway. Previews begin March 1, with an official Broadway Opening set for March 25 at the Marquis Theatre.

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