1: Fascinating biography of complex artist
This is a terrific book on its own as well as an excellent complement to Shawn's own ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHT STANDS. This is not really a biography as much as a personal memoir by Terry, who knew Shawn over a period of more than 40 years. It is not an adoring tribute by a disciple. Parts of the book seem like a real hatchet job, in fact. But Terry is reacting to Shawn's insistent monomania, which must have been difficult to deal with at close range. His harsh criticism is perhaps understandable. But if we are able to look beyond Terry's personal prejudices, a portrait emerges of a very gifted artist with an overwhelming determination to succeed who was nonetheless plagued by doubts. It was Shawn who paved the way for every American male dancer to come. He was the very first American male dance star and to this day there has yet to be another one as important. His work was truly revolutionary on just about every level. Shawn had a remarkable life and a remarkable career. He was a star in vaudeville; he and St. Denis together founded the Denishawn School of dance, which incorporated ethnic (Asian, African, American Indian, etc.) dance into their training. In the 1930s with the virtual dissolution of his marriage and Denishawn, he created the first all-male dance troupe, Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers. They were a sensation for nine years before dissolving when America's entry into World War II became inevitable. Ultimately he was responsible for the founding of the Jacob's Pillow International Dance Foundation on his farm in Connecticut, which today is a magnet for dancers and dance aficionados from all over the world. In Shawn's own book there is no mention of homosexuality (although anyone who has any sense ought to be able to read between the lines), but Terry at least tells it the way Shawn told him (i.e., that he was heterosexual but turned to men after his wife was unfaithful), even though Terry is understandably skeptical. Terry is not very forthcoming with the details here, however. I had to read from other sources that Barton Mumaw was actually Shawn's domestic partner rather than a mere prot??g??. I found this book exciting most of the time. Terry writes very well. And parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny. But there really needs to be a comprehensive biography of Ted Shawn. His story is far too important to be relegated to a couple of thin out-of-print books. Until that book is written, TED SHAWN: FATHER OF AMERICAN DANCE will provide a lot to think about. Highly recommended.
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