A musical tribute entitled "Bright Lights" starring a Broadway cast for Baush & Lomb Sunglasses. Lawrence Leritz performs Cole Porter's "Too Darn Hot" for this Men's Fashion Association Chicago's event, with Catherine Cooper ("A Chorus Line") and Karen Harvey ("Day In Hollywood..A Night in the Ukraine") . This was one of three musical numbers performed; the company also included Robert Brubach ("La Cage Aux Folles") and Michael Ragan ("Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"). Mr. Leritz also directed and choreographed "Bright Lights"
Lawrence Leritz is one of America's best known dance personalities. Leritz began his career with a Ford Foundation Scholarship to Balanchine's NEW YORK CITY BALLET and HARKNESS BALLET (with Patrick Swayze) danced with the PARIS OPERA at New York's Metropolitan Opera & the Kennedy Center, the CHICAGO BALLET, Placido Domingo's LOS ANGELES MUSIC CENTER OPERA, Germany's HAMBURG BALLET, Israel's BAT DOR DANCE COMPANY, in FONTEYN & NUREYEV ON BROADWAY and as a guest artist throughout the world. Leritz's own dance company, DANCE CELEBRATION, represented the United States at the International Choreographic Competitions in Paris and received special congratulations from the White House. Lawrence appeared twice on the cover of DANCE PAGES MAGAZINE. Lawrence is proud to have danced for a Who's Who of international dance choreographers, including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Robert Joffrey, Tommy Tune, Ruth Page, Lee Theodore, Joe Layton, Sir Frederick Ashton, John Neumeier and Alvin Ailey.
Leritz made his theatrical debut in the children's chorus of the World Stage Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical STATE FAIR, starring Ozzie & Harriet Nelson at the St. Louis Municipal Opera. STATE FAIR was supervised by Richard Rodgers, directed by James Hammerstein and choreographed by Tommy Tune. Lawrence made his Broadway debut in Sir Frederick Ashton's production of FONTEYN & NUREYEV ON BROADWAY, in the legendary duo's farewell engagement at the Gershwin Theatre. Leritz returned to Broadway when he was chosen by Jerome Robbins for his revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the New York State Theatre, starring Herschel Bernardi & Maria Karnilova. Leritz also directed BROADWAY MUSICAL SHOWSTOPPERS, playing to SRO audiences on Broadway and national tour. Leritz returned to co-star with Judy Kaye, John Reardon, John Schuck, Beth Leavel and Lorene Yarnell ("Shields & Yarnell") at the St. Louis Municipal Opera in Cole Porter's CAN-CAN, garnering rave reviews. Lawrence Leritz is featured as the singing NYPD officer in the 2008 Golden Globe Best Picture nominee, Julie Taymor's musical ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and opposite Matt Damon on 2011's THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU.
Lawrence produced and choreographed the hit show, BOOBS! THE MUSICAL, which opened at The Triad Theatre, May 20th, 2003 to rave reviews. Lawrence received New York's 2004 MAC AWARD BEST MUSICAL nomination & won the New Orleans 2005 BIG EASY AWARD & AMBIE AWARD for BOOBS!
Leritz produced The 50th Anniversary Gala of The American Guild of Musical Artists, starring Beverly Sills and Peter Martins at The New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center in 1986. Lawrence also choreographed the Motown/Sony Pictures hit, "The Last Dragon", the mime duo Shields & Yarnell, and for MTV. Leritz is the Spectrum Records recording artist of the dance hit single "Crank It Up" produced by Cory Wade, performing live during the final month of the Las Vegas Stardust Hotel. In 2006, Leritz was included in Harvard University's George Balanchine Collection of The New York City Ballet at The Harvard Theatre Collection.
Lawrence Leritz had success as a producer for three seasons of the annual television event, DAY OF COMPASSION, which became the largest one day event in television history with over 200 shows on the air. TIME MAGAZINE named Lawrence as their LOCAL HERO in June 1996 for his contribution.
Lawrence Leritz appeared as CIA villain Edgar, The Villain in the spy spoof, FUNDING THE ARTS at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, spring 2010.
www.LawrenceLeritz.com
THE NEW YORK TIMES: "The six-person cast is expertly choreographed by Lawrence Leritz"
LONDON FINANCIAL TIMES: Brendan Lemon- "With only a piano for accompaniment, Boobs! has been inventively choreographed by Lawrence Leritz"
NEW YORK MAGAZINE: John Simon "Boobs! is subtitled The World According to Ruth Wallis, and a canny, tuneful, and niftily naughty world it is. Lawrence Leritz's choreography is appealing apposite"
SHOWBUSINESS: "Boobs more than any other production I've seen off-Broadway or Broadway do the offstage figures deserve commendation. Lawrence Leritz's choreography and musical staging are exceptional-flawless!"
McDonald/Selznick Agency NY
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