Maria Pogee

Maria Pogee
Maria Pogee
Born Elvira Maria Victoria Garcia
April 7, 1942 (1942-04-07) (age 69)
Santa Fe, Argentina
Occupation Dancer, actress, choreographer
Years active 1958–Present
Spouse Ruben Grinspanas (1966-1990) (until death)

Maria Pogee (sometimes credited as Maria Pogee[1][2]) is an Argentine-American dancer, actress, choreographer, and director, who has had an expansive career in almost every part of the entertainment industry including theatre, film, Broadway, and television. Pogee has taught dance classes and workshops for many years. She taught jazz classes for dance majors at the Nevada School of the Arts, summer camp and jazz workshops for professional dancers in Las Vegas at the Liberace Center.

For several years, Maria taught Hatha Yoga as a protégé of Bikram Choudhury. In April 1975, Bikram opened his Marina Del Rey school, bringing Pogee on board as yoga instructor. In the late 1970s, Pogee appeared in a book about Bikram Choudhury's yoga, performing some of the poses and in his second book 1998.

In 2009 Maria was chosen to represent Argentina as an international judge on the reality television show Superstars of Dance on NBC Network. To this day, Pogee is still teaching yoga and remains Bikram's long time friend.

Contents

Biography

Pogee was born Elvira Maria Victoria Garcia (April 7, 1942) in Santa Fe, Argentina to Carlos Victor García, sergeant major of the Argentine army and Elvira Paulina García, an elementary school teacher. In 1941 her father was transferred from Buenos Aires to the province of Santa Fe, Argentina where the family settled in the community of Cañada de Gomes.

In 1945 her parents and older brother, Carlos José Luis García, were transferred back to Buenos Aires, Argentina where her father worked as director of personnel for Buenos Aires City Hall and later became the Chief Personnel Officer of the Eva Perón (Evita) Foundation.

Pogee's uncle, author José Constantino Barro was the Minister of Industry and Commerce during the era of Juan Domingo Perón (1947–1952). Her aunt, Agueda G.de Barro, was a professor of the National Academy of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. In 1951 she was designated Inspector of the national political feminist party by Eva Perón

María was seven years old when she began her formal dance training at the Theatre Colón Argentina's equivalent of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, as part of her education and training; she participated as an extra in operas and ballets. Her first performance was in 1952 at the Theatre Colón, as one of the characters in the ballet: "Hansel and Gretel", with the choreographed movement of Jorge Tomin.

She also attended the "National School of Dance" where Pogee studied dancing, piano, singing and many others stages of the performing Arts. Maria also studied with famed mime Marcel Marceau circa 1975.

Maria Pogee's stage name has had many puzzling spellings:

The name Pollita was originally given to her by her parents, which means "little baby chick". In December 1961, well-known English producer Barry Ashton become her mentor, giving her a working visa. She supposed to work in a French review Bounjour Paris at the Douville Hotel in Miami Beach. He wanted to change her name from María Victoria to something sounding French, so Maria suggested using her nickname. Choreographer Larry Maldonado and Barry Ashton played with the phonetic sound and rhythm of Polli and Poyi to create the pseudonym: Marie Pohji. It was in 1974 that her name was definitely change to Maria Pogee!

Early life

1958 Maria performed with the ballet of Eber Lobato in a weekly television variety show with singer Andy Russell. She performed and dance in a movie called Nuves de humo - Clouds of smoke (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 1959, Maria began traveling and performing with the Lobato Dancers at Theatre Sacoa, Mar del Plata, and the Theatre Maipo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She performed with stars José Marrone, Juanita Martínez, and Santiago Ayala "El Chucaro", among others. The ballet sings a contract for seven months to perform in Bim-Bam-Bum in the Company of Shows at the Theater Opera, Santiago de Chile. They also worked at the Goyescas nightclub with Libertad Lamarque and La Chunga.

USA- April 1960 Maria performed on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, with the Eber Lobato Dancers and Nelida with guest stars: Lucho Gatica from Chile and Jonas Moura from Brazil. The Lobato Dancers were billed as the Argentina Folk Ballet. Also performing were Los Huasos Quincheros, the Marinho Sisters, and the Felix Trio.

Maria continued to travel with the ballet, performing across the country at the: Washington, Seattle "International convention of Art". "Moulin Rouge" in Hollywood, California, at that time the biggest nightclub, restaurant and showroom. Show produced by Frank Sennes, Sr. They were scheduled to open at the "El Rancho Vegas" in Las Vegas, Nevada. But instead they watched as the flames engulfed the hotel. As they continued to rehearse on the lawn at the back of the property, MCA Artis, LTD Agency quickly found them work at: Cal Neva Lodge, Lake Tahoe, Nevada with Joe E. Lewis and the Bing Crosby's sons: Gary, Dennis and Phillips. From Lake Tahoe to Vegas, performing with Dean Martin at the Sands Hotel, Copa Room (July 13) "Greek Theatre", Hollywood, California with Rock Hudson and George Burns (August 10) "Caribe Hilton" Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Carmen Delia Dipini Sands Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Copa room, performing with Dean Martin and later with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, known as "The Clan" or, the "Rat Pack". Also was the official opening of movie, Ocean's 11 that brings to the Sands Hotel many personalities from Hollywood to see them. New York City at the Nightclub: "Chateau Madrid" 1961 "Monte Leone" Hotel, New Orleans, New Year's Eve "Vapor Club", Hot Springs, Arkansas "Deauville Hotel", Miami Beach, Florida,

One more time at the "Sands" Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Copa Room, on different weeks with Tony Martin, - Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. - Frank Sinatra and Red Skelton. "Cork Club", Houston, Texas "Mapes" Hotel, Reno, Nevada "Stardust" Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, with the King Sisters, Castro Sisters, Juan Esquivel, among others. November - 1961, Maria ended her contract with the "Lobato" dancers Co.

Filmography

Broadway and musical theatre

  • Cavalcade (1970)
  • Sweet Charity (1972)
  • Peter Pan (1979–80)[3]

Production shows & nightclub acts

  • Douville Hotel, Miami Beach, Opening night, "Bonjour Paris", bringing a board Marie Pohji) Barry Ashton show. (December 22, 1961)
  • "A night in Paradise", a Gracie Hansen- Barry Ashton production at the Seattle Washington World's fair (1962)
  • A new release as Marie Pohji introducing the Morris Landsburgh's Fabulous Flamingo Hotel, a Barry Ashton Productions Stars of the show Peggy Lee and Joe E. Lewis (1962)
  • Las Vegas 1st annual JAZZ Festival, Ballet in Jazz "The Wedding" conceived and directed by Barry Ashton and choreographed by Larry Maldonado. Two days with the greatest musicians as: Miss Pearl Bailey (Mistress of Ceremonies) Dizzy Gillespie, Lalo Schifrin, Roland Kirk, Benny Carter, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, Mel Tormé, Dave Brubeck. (1962)
  • Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Arabian Room, debuted as singer "Never Mind the Noise in the Market", the production was choreograph by Ron Lewis, that was the opening number of the show for: Carol Channing, George Burns, Ann Margaret and Tony Bennet(1962)
  • Harrah's Hotel Lake Tahoe, Barry Ashton Production, working with Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Phyllis Diller, Harry Belafonte (1963)
  • "Larry Maldonado Dancers": A company of dancers and singers, with Jerry Jackson, Eddy Serra, Doug Rivera, Jackie Levy, Lelia Goldoni and Maria Pohji.
  • The dancers worked with many great performers: Eddie Fisher, Pearl Bailey, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, Max Baer, (The Beverly HillBillies) Ted Lewis, Sophie Tucker, George Jessel, Louis Prima, Kelly Smith, and Sam Butera.(1963–1965)
  • "Vive Les Girl's, show. Melody land Theatre, Anaheim California and "Circle Star", Theatre in San Francisco, California. Producer: Frederic Apcar (1966)
  • "Vive Les Girls", Dunes Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada, (1967–68)
  • Juliet Prowse, nightclub act - Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Miami, Melodyland, Lake Tahoe (1968–70)
  • Sammy Davis Jr, nightclub act - Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California (1970)
  • Sammy Davis Jr, nightclub act - Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada (1971)
  • "Love In" Show at King Castle Hotel, Lake Tahoe, Nevada- as dancer, ballet mistress and Show coordinator, Producer: Line Renau (1971)
  • Blackstone Jr. Starring in "Hocus Pocus" Fremont Hotel- Las Vegas, Nevada Magical Mystical Show, Pogee as a lead dancer, performer and Line Captain (1972)
  • "Tony Orlando & Dawn" show, Riviera Hotel, dancer plus line captain (1973)
  • Shirley MacLaine, Night club Act - "If They Could See Me Now",– MGM Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada. Kentucky, Texas, New York. The company travels, dancing, singing and performing (1974–75)
  • Maria Pogee was contract with partner Nick Covacevich. Aka: Nick Navarro By Cirque Du Soleil as a back-up artist for Augie and Margo Rodriguez, in the “Zumanity” show at the New York, New York Hotel. Las Vegas, Nevada. (May 2005-Dec. 2006).

Media - TV syndication

  • Dancer – Performer
  • Danny Kaye Show weekly TV series. (1963)

Pogee was a Gazzarri Dancers featuring the 1964-65 "Hollywood a Go-Go" dancers in KHJ-TV series with host Sam Riddle. Pogee appeared in several episodes, including:

  • Tommy Roe "Everybody & the Nitty Gritty"
  • Tommy Sands "The Statue"
  • Marian Montgomery "They Can’t Take That Away from Me"
  • Gazzarri Dancers a GO- GO!
  • The Knickerbockers "Lies"
  • Vogues "You are the one"
  • Bobby Fuller "Six-Gun Routine"
  • Marvin Gaye "Can I get a Witness"
  • The Byrd's "Set you free this time"
  • Sexy Dancers from Gazzarri's 1965
  • Nancy Sinatra "If he’d love me"

Interview: on Channel 13 Television. With Jaime Jacobson director and Producer of Pantalla Gigante. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Radio Splendid Interview with Jaime Jacobson. And broadcasting with journalist Guido Merico. Buenos Aires, Argentina (1965).

  • Bob Hope Special (1966)
  • Don Knotts Show (1966)
  • "Alice through the Looking Glass" (National Broadcasting Company) (1966)
  • Mr.Blackwell presents A Musical Spectacular, fashion with a beat. Starring Anna Maria Alberghetti, Mike Clifford. (Maria Pohji as Principal dancer) (1966)
  • "America or Bust" TV Special with Glenn Ford filmed around the USA. (1970)
  • Bing Crosby Special (1970)
  • John Wayne - TV Special. (1970)
  • "The Comedy Hour" (1971)
  • Saga of Sonora (Winter/Rosen Productions) (1972)
  • Maria Pogee - Guest Appearance. "En Noches de Gala", with the Castro Brothers

Channel 4) México City. (1972)

  • Sonny & Cher Show, the comedy hour show. (1973)
  • Red Skelton Show TV Series. (1973)
  • The Tony Awards (1973)
  • The Oscars host by Johnny Carson. (1973)
  • Shirley McLaine TV special. ("If They Could See Me Now") (1974)

References

[4]

  1. ^ Maria Pohji at the Internet Movie Database
  2. ^ Maria Pogee at the Internet Movie Database
  3. ^ Peter Pan
  4. ^ "Gazzarri Dancers" (1964-65 HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO)

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