- John Kriza
John Kriza (b. 1919 in
Berwyn ,Illinois - d.August 18 ,1975 ) was aballet dancer who was one ofAmerican Ballet Theatre 's best-known male principals.Kriza danced with ABT from 1940 to 1966. He originated roles in ballets by nearly every major choreographer from the period, including
George Balanchine ,Agnes de Mille ,Eugene Loring ,Léonide Massine ,Jerome Robbins , andAntony Tudor . Some of the most significant include one of the sailors in Robbins' "Fancy Free " (1944) and the Pastor in de Mille's "Fall River Legend " (1948); he is probably best-remembered, though, for his performance in the title role of Loring's "Billy the Kid". Kriza's regular partners includedNora Kaye andRuth Ann Koesun .Although Kriza did not appear in Hollywood musicals, he performed regularly on television--most significantly in the title role of "Billy the Kid" for "Omnibus" (1953). Other credits include the Pastor in "Fall River Legend" and the Champion Roper in "Rodeo", also for "Omnibus". A number of archival films exist at the
New York Public Library .After retiring in 1966, Kriza remained on staff at ABT until he died while swimming in the
Gulf of Mexico .ee also
*
American Ballet Theatre John Kriza was the brother of Lillian Rosicky and George J. Kriza, son of John Kriza and Marie Kriza. His nephews included Ed and George Rosicky and George L. Kriza. He lived in Bloomingdale on his parents farm. He was well known in Berwyn where he grew up, attending Morton High School. He was often featured in the local Berwyn Life, and was well known among his community for his ballet achievements. In the course of his career, he danced for John Kennedy in the White House, Khruschev in the Kremlin and before other dignataries. He was a member of the original cast of American Ballet Theatre. Submitted by GL Kriza.
External links
* [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/vv:@field(SUBJ+@band(Kriza,+John+)) Four photographs of Kriza by Carl van Vechten]
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