Bambi Linn
Encyclopedia
Bambi Linn is an American dancer, choreographer, and actress.
Linn trained extensively with noted choreographer Agnes de Mille
. At the age of seventeen, she made her Broadway
debut in the original production of Oklahoma!
(1943). De Mille used her again as Louise in Carousel
(1945), for which she earned a Theatre World Award
. Linn repeated the role in the 1957 revival at City Center. Her other Broadway credits include the title role in Alice in Wonderland (1947) and Blanche in I Can Get It for You Wholesale
(1962). Linn, who was also a guest soloist with American Ballet Theatre
, continued making occasional stage appearances until the early 1980s.
In the 1950s, Linn was best known as half of a ballroom dance
team with her first husband, Rod Alexander. The two made frequent appearances on TV's Your Show of Shows
, The Colgate Comedy Hour
, Toast of the Town, and Max Liebman Presents, among others. Linn made only one film appearance: as the fantasy Laurey in the extended "Dream Ballet" sequence in Oklahoma! (1955). She and Alexander created a similar dream ballet for the live 1955 broadcast of The Desert Song
.
Linn has four children, and raised them in Westport, Connecticut
.
Linn trained extensively with noted choreographer Agnes de Mille
Agnes de Mille
Agnes George de Mille was an American dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Agnes de Mille was born in New York City into a well-connected family of theater professionals. Her father William C. deMille and her uncle Cecil B. DeMille were both Hollywood directors...
. At the age of seventeen, she made her Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut in the original production of Oklahoma!
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
(1943). De Mille used her again as Louise in Carousel
Carousel (musical)
Carousel is the second stage musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II . The work premiered in 1945 and was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline...
(1945), for which she earned a Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
. Linn repeated the role in the 1957 revival at City Center. Her other Broadway credits include the title role in Alice in Wonderland (1947) and Blanche in I Can Get It for You Wholesale
I Can Get It for You Wholesale
I Can Get It for You Wholesale is a musical with music and lyrics by Harold Rome and a book by Jerome Weidman based on his 1937 novel of the same title. It marked the Broadway debut of 19-year-old Barbra Streisand, who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in...
(1962). Linn, who was also a guest soloist with American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
, continued making occasional stage appearances until the early 1980s.
In the 1950s, Linn was best known as half of a ballroom dance
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
team with her first husband, Rod Alexander. The two made frequent appearances on TV's Your Show of Shows
Your Show of Shows
Your Show of Shows is a live 90-minute variety show that appeared weekly in the United States on NBC , from February 25, 1950, until June 5, 1954, featuring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca....
, The Colgate Comedy Hour
The Colgate Comedy Hour
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show stars many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou...
, Toast of the Town, and Max Liebman Presents, among others. Linn made only one film appearance: as the fantasy Laurey in the extended "Dream Ballet" sequence in Oklahoma! (1955). She and Alexander created a similar dream ballet for the live 1955 broadcast of The Desert Song
The Desert Song
The Desert Song is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French colonial rule. It was also inspired by stories of Lawrence of...
.
Linn has four children, and raised them in Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
.
External links
Further reading
- Wilk, Max. OK! The Story of Oklahoma!: A Celebration of America's Most Beloved Musical. Rev. ed. New York: Applause Books, 2002. ISBN 1-55783-555-1.