Dance Is A Man’s Sport, Too Dance Is A Man’s Sport, Too

Dance Is A Man’s Sport, Too

Swann, Tharp, and Martins during the taping of their segment for Omnibus.

Premiere

  • Date

    15 June 1980

  • Broadcaster

    Omnibus/ABC Television

Production

  • Choreographer

    Twyla Tharp

  • Director

    Bill Davis,
    Don Mischer

  • Producer

    Eric Lieber,
    Bob Shanks,
    Martin Starger

  • Arranger

    Alf Clausen,
    William Goldstein

  • Hosted by

    Gene Kelly and Hal Holbrook

  • Costume and Scenic Designer

    Santo Loquasto

Dancers

Peter Martins, Twyla Tharp, Lynn Swann

  • Number of Dancers

    3

  • Runtime

    00:02:00

Description

Dance Is A Man’s Sport, Too was commissioned by Gene Kelly for the sequel to his 1958 television special “Dancing: A Man’s Game.”

 

Peter Martins, then principal dancer for the New York City Ballet, Lynn Swann, star wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tharp dance to a traditional Irish jig. The differences in each performer’s physical training and approach to the choreography are highlighted; their speed and agility measured against the lined backdrop. When asked about his experience, Swann simply stated, “My thighs hurt.”

 

  • Commissioned by

    Gene Kelly