Sono Osato
Encyclopedia
Sono Osato is an American dancer and actress of half-Japanese, half European descent.
Osato began her career at the age of fourteen with the Ballet Russe; she later went on to dance with American Ballet Theatre
(then Ballet Theatre). While at ABT, she danced roles in such ballets as Kenneth MacMillan
's Sleeping Beauty
, Antony Tudor
's Pillar of Fire
, and Bronislava Nijinska
's The Beloved
. As a musical theater performer, her Broadway credits included principal dancer in One Touch of Venus
(Donaldson Award) and Ivy Smith in the original On the Town.
In the late 1940s and 1950s, Osato briefly pursued a career as an actress, appearing on Broadway in Peer Gynt
, in the film The Kissing Bandit
, and in occasional guest appearances on TV series like The Adventures of Ellery Queen
(1950).
She founded the Sono Osato Scholarship Program in Graduate Studies at Career Transition For Dancers to help former dancers finance graduate work in both the professions and the liberal arts.
Osato began her career at the age of fourteen with the Ballet Russe; she later went on to dance 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...
(then Ballet Theatre). While at ABT, she danced roles in such ballets as Kenneth MacMillan
Kenneth MacMillan
Sir Kenneth MacMillan was a British ballet dancer and choreographer. He was artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London between 1970 and 1977.-Early years:...
's Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault or Little Briar Rose by the Brothers Grimm is a classic fairytale involving a beautiful princess, enchantment, and a handsome prince...
, Antony Tudor
Antony Tudor
Antony Tudor was an English ballet choreographer, teacher and dancer.-Biography:Tudor, born William Cook, discovered dance accidentally. He began dancing professionally with Marie Rambert in 1928, becoming general assistant for her Ballet Club the next year...
's Pillar of Fire
Pillar of Fire
Pillar of Fire can refer to* Pillar of Fire , a manifestation of God in the Tanakh* Pillar of Fire Church, a religious community in Zarephath, New Jersey* Pillar of Fire by Judith Tarr* Pillar of Fire by Antony Tudor...
, and Bronislava Nijinska
Bronislava Nijinska
Bronislava Nijinska - February 22, 1972)) was a Russian dancer, choreographer, and teacher of Polish descent.Nijinska was born in Minsk, the third child of the Polish dancers Tomasz and Eleonora Nijinska . Her brother was Vaslav Nijinsky...
's The Beloved
The Beloved
The Beloved are an English electronic dance music group, best known for the singles "Sweet Harmony", "Hello", "Your Love Takes Me Higher", and "Satellite".-Formation:...
. As a musical theater performer, her Broadway credits included principal dancer in One Touch of Venus
One Touch of Venus
One Touch of Venus is a musical with music written by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ogden Nash, and book by S. J. Perelman and Nash, based on the novella The Tinted Venus by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, and very loosely spoofing the Pygmalion myth. The show satirizes contemporary American suburban values,...
(Donaldson Award) and Ivy Smith in the original On the Town.
In the late 1940s and 1950s, Osato briefly pursued a career as an actress, appearing on Broadway in Peer Gynt
Peer Gynt
Peer Gynt is a five-act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, loosely based on the fairy tale Per Gynt. It is the most widely performed Norwegian play. According to Klaus Van Den Berg, the "cinematic script blends poetry with social satire and realistic scenes with surreal ones"...
, in the film The Kissing Bandit
The Kissing Bandit (film)
The Kissing Bandit is a 1948 film starring Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson. The supporting cast includes Ricardo Montalban, Ann Miller, and Cyd Charisse. The movie was directed by Laslo Benedek.-Cast:Frank Sinatra ... RicardoKathryn Grayson ......
, and in occasional guest appearances on TV series like The Adventures of Ellery Queen
The Adventures of Ellery Queen
The Adventures of Ellery Queen is the title of a radio series and four separate television series made from the 1950s through the 1970s. They were based on the fictional character and pseudonymous writer Ellery Queen.-Radio:...
(1950).
She founded the Sono Osato Scholarship Program in Graduate Studies at Career Transition For Dancers to help former dancers finance graduate work in both the professions and the liberal arts.