‘Jerome Robbins, By Himself’ Edited and with Commentary by Amanda Vaill
WHO: Jerome Robbins
WHAT: JEROME ROBBINS, BY HIMSELF:
Selections from His Letters, Journals, Drawings,
Photographs, and an Unfinished Memoir.
Edited and with Commentary by Amanda Vaill
WHEN: Published by Knopf October 3, 2019
WHERE: Amanda Vaill lives in New York.
WHY: “Provocative and illuminating.
“Amanda Vaill gathers a fascinating selection of illustrations, photographs, and writings from the personal archives of dance choreographer Jerome Robbins (1918–1998).
“Eager to escape Weehawken NJ, Robbins attended college at New York University. In a journal entry, he writes, ‘There was no money to allow me to continue college… so then I decided I’d try dancing.’ He studied with Senya Gluck Sandor, then worked his way from chorus member to soloist in summer resort and Broadway shows, before discovering a talent for choreography. Vaill expertly weaves Robbins’s insight into his artistic accomplishments: Robbins debuted as a choreographer with Fancy Free in 1944, and shortly after told a reporter, ‘I was just another dancer. Now I’m supposed to be somebody and I can’t get used to that.’
“As Vaill notes, Robbins went on to choreograph challenging pieces for the New York City Ballet, reinvent the American musical in such shows as High Button Shoes and On the Town, and jazz up many Broadway and film musicals including Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, and West Side Story. This portrait will delight dance enthusiasts.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“A fascinating backstage look at the creation of such iconic Broadway shows as West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof and such modern ballet classics as Fancy Free, as well as a glimpse into the mind of a singular artist.” —Carolyn Mulac, BOOKLIST
Media Resources:
About the book and author | Read an excerpt | Download the jacket | Download the photo of Amanda Vaill
Knopf.
With 59 illustrations
and 12 pages of color photos.
430 pages. $40 ISBN 978-0-451-49466-5
To interview the editor, contact
Kathy Zuckerman | 212-572-2105
kzuckerman@penguinrandomhouse.com