| Home Page | March/April 2008 Happy Birthday David!!!!!!!! With love, admiration, and respect for you as a person and as an artist, I truly wish for you another productive and exciting year. Love Susan, your Jet Goddess. In an early email to me, regarding this site, David warned me that he was a typical Aries, which basically means, he is. 1. Adventurous and energetic
Our self-proclaimed Citizen of the World in Switzerland 2. Full of flair and originality
David’s choreography for the Grace Kelly Special included him skydiving 3. A courageous leader with a genuine concern for those he leads.
David with then California Governor (and now Mayor of Oakland), Jerry Brown 4. But Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, is a masculine sign ruled by the warrior planet Mars, whose motto must be Crash through, or crash!
While filming his award-winning Raquel special, David takes on the irate Mexican press 5. A cardinal (creative and inventive) sign, Aries, the Ram, governs leadership and initiative.
David with son, Jonathan, on the set of his latest movie, The King Maker 6. As someone compassionate, David has enhanced the lives of more than a few fans: Happy Birthday David! You are a true classic and have enriched my life...and all of our lives, through the great work you have done over the years. Watching you in WSS, on Hullabaloo/Shindig, and the many other projects you have been involved in, is awe inspiring. I have always been a fan, and I am honored to be your friend. Happy Birthday David...all the best, Mitch
Some of the beautiful Shindig dancers including Gina Trikonis (second row, left) and Maria Jimenez Henley (front row, right)
David and some of his Hullabaloo Dancers Here is wishing "one of the Jets" a fantastic birthday and may many more come your way! May your day be filled with much gladness. Kevin
The Jets! The Greatest!!! Hi David, "Anything's possible" is what comes to mind when I conjure up images of you and the other Jets in mid-air, mid-flight. A series of perfect moments captured. Movie roles aside, I find you special personally because of the generosity you extend in sharing your memories with us and your outspoken nature in general. It's a good way to be. Happy birthday and many more to come. - Dear David, All the best on your birthday,and wishing you great success with 'The Kingmaker'. Richard in England. Happy birthday to my favorite Jet! Thanks for sharing your memories of West Side Story with all of us. I will continue to share your work with my classes, and be honored to tell my students that I have spoken to you through email and on the internet. Have a great day!! - Ann All I can say, my dear Ram: You done good, buddy boy! November 2007 - January 2008 Susan’s annual top ten “recommendations to add to your DW collection.”:
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Time to prepare your wish list and shopping lists for the upcoming holidays. Again, here are my recommendations for your David Winters/David Winters-inspired collection. Enjoy. 1. West Side Story (Special Limited Edition)--Archives June 2003 Special Features on Disc 2 include West Side Memories: 1-hour retrospective documentary containing Natalie Wood's original vocal recordings and new interviews with the cast and crew, including Robert Wise, Stephen Sondheim, and Tony Mordente. Original film intermission music restored and remixed in 5.1 surround; and collectible scrapbook. And yes, it was on the list last year, and guess what; it will be on next year’s too. If you have to ask why……………….
The multi-award winning director, directing Tucker Smith and David Winters
2. ED SULLIVAN SHOW, (September 14, 1958) Featuring David Winters, Tony Mordente, Tucker Smith and the rest of the Broadway Jets performing Cool. Extra bonus: Jerome Robbins is in the audience that evening and is introduced. Others bonuses: The old Mercury commercials, Mickey Rooney, and my favorites, the pie-plate twirlers and the Czechoslovakian puppets. A true gem. Much love and thanks to jj and Gary from the WSS messageboard who guided me to this find. For your own journey, go to:
David doing his Cool solo on Broadway 3. Thrashin: DVD with Radical Special Features--Archives April 2003 Yes this is the fifth straight year in a row for this skatingboarding classic, but with good reason. Not only does this cult classic star skating legends Tony Hawke and Tony Alva, but this film also helped launched the careers of some of the behind the scene folks, including second unit director, Stacy Peralta and production designer, Catherine Hardwicke, and inspired the making of some awarding-win movies. Read on. “Best single camera moment since Thrashin’” Craig Stecyk, Co-founder, Zephyr Surf Shop and co-writer of Dogtown and Z-Boys. “……….on that on that skateboarding classic, Thrashin’” Director of Lords of Dogtown, explaining how she first met the skate pros that she used as consultants, cameramen, stunt doubles, etc on her hit film.
David and some of the crew from Thrashin’. 4. Blackbeard David returned to acting in this TV mini-series about the Golden Age of Piracy, at the dawn of the 18th century, and the most fearsome and notorious seafarer of them all, Blackbeard. David, who portrays shopkeeper Silas Bridges, performs along side many acting luminaries such as Richard Chamberlain, Stacy Keach, Rachel Ward, and Nigel Terry in this beautifully filmed action adventure. Produced by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
David as Silas Bridges in Blackbeard
5. Inside Deep Throat --Archives March 2005 Inside Deep Throat, the successful documentary which examines the unanticipated lasting cultural impact generated by Deep Throat, a sexually explicit film first shown in a midtown Manhattan adult theater in June 1972, is now available in DVD. David Winters who befriended and guided Linda during her post-Deep Throat period discusses her her brief Hollywood experience in the bonus section, Linda Does Hollywood
6. The Monkees : A Coffin Too Frequent; The Monkees Blow Their Minds --Archives May 2004 When David was approached to produce, direct and choreograph the Monkee’s first tour, he agreed in exchange for one directing assignment on their show. In the end it was a win-win situation, with the Monkees proving their worth as a live act and David getting his Director Guild Association card.
7. Movin’ With Nancy --Archives March 2004 With Jessica reminding us that no one walks in her boots like Nancy Sinatra, I just had to add Nancy’s fabulous special to the list again. Granted she does not perform her career-making number, but who cares. Nancy was one of the two coolest chicks from that era and she never looked better than in this award winning television special. From the very first steps of Nancy's legendary boots, the audience is taken on a journey through '60s pop culture, with Emmy Award nominated choreography by David Winters. This gem features singing partner Lee Hazelwood, father, Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.; trend-setting fashions, hit songs and scenic California locations. And forget the remote; you need to sit through the RC Mad Mad Colas Ads. I especially love the one featuring Dino, Desi, and Billy.
8. Hullabaloo: Volumes 5-8 --Archives February 2004 Okay, okay, I could not mention Nancy without mentioning the other cool chick: Lada Edmunds Jr. the girl in the cage on Hullabaloo. This show is special to me in that this is where I rediscovered David. All three available DVDs offer highlights from the vintage show that featured live performance of the most popular musical acts of that era, and some of the best modern dancing with choreography by David Winters--not to mention great shimmies in the cage from the another cool chick of that era, Lada Edmund Jr. But this volume offers a special treat with two dance numbers by David himself. He makes it looks so easy, with Donna McKechnie, no less.
9 . Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare--Archives November 2002 David produced. David directed. David choreographed. David rocks. Case close. 10 . Codename Vengeance Action-packed adventure story with Robert Ginty, the gorgeous Shannon Tweed and one of my favorites, the gorgeous James Ryan.
August/September/October 2007 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY:
David Winters Tribute Site (5 years and more to come)
West Side Story on Broadway (50 years; was even a classic then).
This is an exciting month for this site: September 2007 marks the fifth anniversary of this site and of even more importance, the 50th anniversary of the debut of West Side Story, the award-winning, revolutionary musical, first in Washington D.C, August 19, 1957l, and then on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre, September 26, 1957.
Before I begin, I would like to present much love and thanks to three fine gentleman who have provided information, answers, support and best of all, friendship, on this project:
Tony Mordente: The original A-Rab. Many of the Sharks and Jets have names in the captions thanks to him,
David Winters: The original Cool Baby John. If you have to ask………………
 Opening Night Playbill
It is well-documented that WSS was the perfect collaboration of the talents of Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents; and the very first casting decision made by this elite group was David Winters as Baby John in the original Broadway production. He would later be one of the few to make the transition to the film production. So, this feature, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the opening of West Side Story, we proudly present some of David's Broadway West Side Story memories.
 David’s picture in Playbill
David was a just a teenager performing on Broadway in Shinebone Alley, staring Eartha Kitt, along with another up and coming gypsy, Chita Rivera, when he received a life altering phone call from the secretary to Jerome Robbins. Apparently Mr. Robbins had seen David the night before in Shinebone Alley and now wanted him to audition for his new show he was creating. It was going to be a contemporary musical version of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and Robbins was looking for extremely multi-talented but young performers.
When David arrived for the first of many auditions, he was shocked by the long line of hopefuls. Even though, to this day, he considers his initial audition less than awe-inspiring, he was called back a second time.... then a third.....and a fourth. However, the constant cutting of what he considered to be talented competition, made him less and less hopeful about his own chances of being cast.
 At his fifth audition, the teen found himself alone on stage facing Broadway icons Robbins, Leornard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, Bobby Griffith, and newcomer, Stephen Sondheim. After his performance, he stood there, feeling awkward, while the production team examined and discussed him, as if he were a racehorse. Finally, Robbins spoke: David was to play the pivotal role of Baby John, the youngest and most innocent of the gang members. David was stunned, not just because he realized it was a great role, but he was the first actor to be cast—before the main characters, the adults, the gang leaders—he was the first—a distinction that still thrills him today. Later, while still floating on cloud nine in the theatre, he overheard the same gentlemen discussing his dear friend, Chita Rivera, for the role of Anita.
 Left to right......Al Desio, Jay Norman, Ronnie Lee, Ken Le Roy, about to be stabbed by Jerome Robbins Grover Dale (back under Robbin’s arm), Larry Kert, David Winters, Hank Brunjes,. and Tony Mordente. The chap on the floor is Mickey Calin Rushing back to The Broadway Theatre for that evening’s Shinebone Alley performance, he pulled his Chita Bita (his pet name for her) aside and told her that she would soon receive a call and would be signed as Anita. As one can imagine, these two young kids were beside themselves with joy, as they hugged, screamed, danced, and jumped in circles, knowing they would soon be working for the Svengali himself, Robbins. Little did they realize just how significant this production would be to their careers, their lives and to American theatre in general.
 The Jets, in opening night playbill
Shortly afterwards, Shinebone Alley closed, the two, along with all the others began the legendary long and arduous rehearsal process for West Side Story. Viewing the production as a play rather than a light musical, Robbins commanded that each performer approach his part as an actor, instead of a dancer and singer. He also demanded a detailed autobiography for each character that included such information as family members, home environment, criminal arrests records, etc. This was fine with David, who was already a veteran of many live theatre and television performances. However, David felt a sense of insecurity in that he was one of the few non-ballet dancers. Although he was studying jazz dancing at the time, he was not prepared for the discipline and stretching that the morning class required. In fact, the young rebel used to sneak off and hide in a group of rolled up gym mats, where he would enjoy a nap until the floor work began.
 Left to right: Tommy Abbott, Lowell Harris, David Winters, Martin Charnin, Grover Dale, Tony Mordente, Hank Brunjes, Eddie Roll and Frank Green, performing The Jet Song After eight weeks of rehearsals, the play made its off-Broadway try-out debut in
 Tony Mordente (A-Rab), Mickey Callan (Riff), Lee Becker (Anybodys), andDavid Winters (Baby John) in Cool. Notice Carole D’Andrea (Velma) in background, left Ironically, Robbins did not relax and bask in his glory, and the rehearsals actually became more frequent, longer and tougher. David still shudders when he recalls one morning, when two of his castmates arrived late to rehearsal that was taking place in a small downtown theatre, with a with a floor that can best be described as a dancer's nightmare: slivers of wood and nails sticking up all over the place. Upon the latecomers’ arrival, Jerry stopped the rest of the cast and told them to relax while he reviewed a dance sequence with the tardy dancers. The particular routine he selected was from The Prologue where they had to slide across the floor on their bellies and grab an opposing gang member. He made the two repeat this exercise over and over and David remembers cringing and feeling nauseous as he heard the wood slivers actually rip through their shirts and right into their skin. But David credits them for being troupers and hanging in there, even though they were cut up, bruised and sore for days.
Another memory that adds to Robbins' hellacious reputation is when Robbins ordered the cast to sit down on stage, facing out into the audience, while he sat on a chair facing them, hurling insults at them. Robbins got so riled up, that he stood up and began pacing aimlessly, waving his hands all over the place, while he continued the insults. As Robbins moved dangerously closer and closer to the edge of the stage, the cast and crew, all of them, kept quiet. No one spoke up or made a gesture, or did anything that would give the irate director warning that he might fall and seriously hurt himself. In fact, David could sense a collective wish that Karma would step in and push the tyrant right into the orchestra pit. But no satisfaction was to be had by the cast. Robbins, perhaps protected my his muses, stopped right at the edge, looked down into the pit for a few minutes and then, in a chilling moment, turned and presented the cast with a most sadistic Mona Lisa smile, that reminded every one of them, that he knew what exactly they were thinking and they would pay for it. He always had the last laugh.
 Gee Officer Krupke: Left to Right: David Winters, Tommy Abbott, Eddie Roll (on knees), Tony, Lowell Harris and Hank Brunjes suppporting Martin Charnin, and Grover Dale These were not isolated incidents, and maybe it was a survival instinct or savviness or a combination of both, but David, and his good friend, Tony Mordente, became experts in recognizing the signs of the oncoming tantrums for which Robbins was famous. Happily, they also perfected the technique of slyly moving out of target range. One may be a Jet all the way, but in those days, it was every man for himself.
David will now admit that back then he didn’t recognize how Terpsichore had placed him under the guardianship of a true genius, but years later, he began to recognize and appreciate the gifts Robbins bestowed upon him. As David segued more and more into directing and producing, David implemented the many lessons and work habits he picked up from his mentor. Today, David credits those years under Robbins as the foundation of his long and successful career.
 David’s bio as it appears in the Playbill By the time the show hit Broadway, it was already a legend. But for all the hype and grand reviews, the best moment for David was the pride that he saw in the faces of his parents and grandparents. He also cherishes the joy they displayed as he escorted them backstage and introduced them to the rest of the cast.
David continued as Baby John for most of the run, and in order to keep his performance sharp and fresh, he claimed the 3' x 3' area around him as his own personal turf and anytime any of the Sharks stepped into that area, he took it personally and reacted as such.
Another favorite memory was the special Actor's Equity Performance. Back then, every show used to be dark on Sunday and each week, one show would do a special performance for the casts and crews of all the other currents shows. Needless to say, David and the others were aware that they were the inexperienced young turks of the great white way, getting all the great publicity; and now they were facing their toughest critics: their peers, many of them seasoned performers. And since tickets for this one show had been in such high demand, the pressure to give the ultimate performance was high. So high, that Leonard Bernstein himself actually stepped in and rehearsed the show. To this day, David is still in awe with Bernstein’s magic and strength that was so infectious and how he was able to bring out the best in the performers. His animation and energy was simply inspirational that David and the rest of the cast were surprised by the depth of sounds that were squeezed out of them. In the end, David and his cast mates delivered what he considers to be the greatest performance of WSS ever, with every number being a show-stopper.
West Side Story also marked a significant transition period for David as well. For the first time, he was playing a somewhat adult role, and was considered a heartthrob by many of the young female fans. Besides dealing with autograph seekers by the stage door every evening, and even on just walking down the street, David and the rest of the cast enjoyed the envy and respect of the theatre community in general. When they attended their regular dance and acting classes, others would stare at them with awe. Another perk was all the invitations to parties and events. It was a magical time for David, what has been a magical life.
May/June 2007 Two Jets step into a Chorus Line David’s body of work showcases his many talents, including acting, dancing, singing, directing, producing writing, and choreographing, and one not really mentioned before: appreciating and nurturing new talent. In a recurring series, some of the many new talents will be featured, with David’s own recollection of their early years. We kicked off the series in September 2006with a look at two award-winning directors Stacy Peralta and Catherine Hardwicke, and then followed up with a look at the multi-talented, award winning performer and lovely human being: Teri Garr. This time around, we are looking at two Broadway legends who not only share a love of dancing with David but also made their mark early in their career as Jets in West Side Story: Michael Bennett: The Tony Award-winning creator of one of the longest running Broadway show in history: A Chorus Line and Michael’s muse and inspiration for one of A Chorus Line’s character, Tony Award-winning dancer/actress Donna McKechnie
The summer before his junior year in high school, Michael auditioned for a touring production of West Side Story. The producer, Jack Lenny, recalled him being 17 years old, looking 14 and cast him as Baby John, the role originated on Broadway by David Winters. That fall, when producer Lenny arranged a European tour, he hawked the 17 year old Michael out of homeroom, thus making professional theatre his classroom, with the celebration of his 18 th birthday in Paris. Upon returning to the states, he began his stint as a Broadway gypsy, performing in such productions as Subways Are For Sleeping, after which he appeared in Here’s Love and the short-lived Bajour. Along the way he met and became good friends with West Side Story alum, Tony Mordente, whose good friend, David Winters, had been hired to choreograph the new variety series Hullabaloo (archives February 2004). Tony accompanied Michael to the audition and introduced him to David. David was impressed with Michael’s audition and was hired.
David first met Donna when she was a 15 year old runaway, dreaming of becoming a professional dancer in New York. She hailed from the same hometown as another dancer and girlfriend of David’s, Jennifer Billingsley, who took Donna in. As a favor to Jennifer, David drove down the Port Authority Bus Station on 42nd street to pick the young girl up, but the confident and independent teen had already found a way to Jennifer’s apartment. The three of them became the best of friends. Shortly after arriving in NY, Donna landed a Welch’s’ Grape Juice Ad and a part in touring company of West Side Story as one of the Jet Girls. The cast also included Jay Norman, who portrayed Pepe in the film version. When David was hired for Hullabaloo he invited Donna to audition. She recalls in her memoir, Time Steps, that the auditions were at Variety Arts and that many many Broadway dancers auditioned. Auditions were a like a high power jazz class and when she made it, she was thrill that she would be working with David and fellow WSS alum, Jaime Rogers because they were both admired icons and roles models for many of the dancers. The prime time big budget rock and roll show had a guest host (such as Michael Landon, David McCallum, and the very popular Sammy Davis Jr, a good friend of David’s) every week presiding over the fun and festivities as the top performers performed their current hits. From British Invasion (Dave Clark Five, Freddy and the Dreamer) to folk rock (Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful) to Motown (Supremes, Marvin Gaye), all the major hit makers were there. And more often than not they were backed by the sexy and cool moves of the David Winters Dancers, the first multi-cultural dance corps on prime time television, While they did not socialize much outside of the studio at first, Michael and Donna developed a warm brother/sister kind of relationship and the high spirited dancing of the jerk and other David’s creations (archive whatever) enabled to them witness and admire the talent in each other. Donna’s ballet background worked well with Michael’s tap background and they both worked well David’s high energy, revolutionary choreography.
While in Los Angeles Donna also worked as David’s assistant and lead dancer in a Patty Duke movie, called Billie, produced by Peter Lawford. But even though she was enjoying such success, her heart was still in New York, and so she returned to the Broadway stage.
Bennett also returned to the NY state made his choreographic debut with A Joyful Noise, followed by Promises Promises with a cast that included Donna McKechnie. Like David did on Hullabaloo, Michael had Donna and the other dancers create their individual personalizes and characters. He also created a Hullabaloo look in the show when he had dancers on different levels; dancing on desks, etc mirroring what was a happening on the floor. In the early 1970s, Bennett began conducting a series of group therapy-style workshops to which he invited "gypsies" - chorus boys and girls - inviting them to share their feelings and frustrations about their careers. Hundreds of hours of audio tapes eventually led to the creation of his biggest and most personally felt triumph, A Chorus Line. Originally Michael wanted to do a straight play, but early reaction indicated that it was just too depressing, so they brought in Marvin Hamlish to do the music. In another David Winters small world twist, Marvin Hamlish was a piano player for dancers and dance rehearsals that David had used for rehearsals. David had even given him, his first job as a writer and conductor and arranger for a TV special, London Bridge Special, starring Tom Jones, The Carpenters and Rudolph Nureyev. One of the invited attendees for a preview performance was Michael’s long time friend, Tony Mordente. .When the production opened in July 1975 at Joseph Papp's Public Theater in lower Manhattan, the reviews were ecstatic and the demand for tickets so huge that it transferred uptown to the Shubert Theater, where it remained a sell-out hit for fifteen years. It won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Although A Chorus Line was very much an ensemble piece, the original cast's standout star was Bennett's old friend McKechnie. The two married in 1976, but separated a few months later and eventually divorced, but remained close friends until his death. Today, Donna is still wowing them on the stage, enjoying the success of her memoirs and keeps in contact with her original mentor, David Winters.
March/April 2007 Happy Birthday David!!!!!!!! With love, admiration, and respect for you as a person and as an artist, I truly wish for you another productive and exciting year. Love Susan, your Jet Goddess. In an early email to me, regarding this site, David warned me that he was a typical Aries, which basically means, he is. 1. Adventurous and energetic
Our self-proclaimed Citizen of the World in Switzerland 2. Full of flair and originality
David’s choreography for the Grace Kelly Special included him skydiving 3. A courageous leader with a genuine concern for those he leads.
David with then California Governor (and now Mayor of Oakland), Jerry Brown 4. But Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, is a masculine sign ruled by the warrior planet Mars, whose motto must be Crash through, or crash!
While filming his award-winning Raquel special, David takes on the irate Mexican press 5. A cardinal (creative and inventive) sign, Aries, the Ram, governs leadership and initiative.
David with son, Jonathan, on the set of his latest movie, The King Maker 6. As someone compassionate, David has enhanced the lives of more than a few fans: Happy Birthday David! You are a true classic and have enriched my life...and all of our lives, through the great work you have done over the years. Watching you in WSS, on Hullabaloo/Shindig, and the many other projects you have been involved in, is awe inspiring. I have always been a fan, and I am honored to be your friend. Happy Birthday David...all the best, Mitch
Some of the beautiful Shindig dancers including Gina Trikonis (second row, left) and Maria Jimenez Henley (front row, right)
David and some of his Hullabaloo Dancers Here is wishing "one of the Jets" a fantastic birthday and may many more come your way! May your day be filled with much gladness. Kevin
The Jets! The Greatest!!! Hi David, "Anything's possible" is what comes to mind when I conjure up images of you and the other Jets in mid-air, mid-flight. A series of perfect moments captured. Movie roles aside, I find you special personally because of the generosity you extend in sharing your memories with us and your outspoken nature in general. It's a good way to be. Happy birthday and many more to come. - Dear David, All the best on your birthday,and wishing you great success with 'The Kingmaker'. Richard in England. Happy birthday to my favorite Jet! Thanks for sharing your memories of West Side Story with all of us. I will continue to share your work with my classes, and be honored to tell my students that I have spoken to you through email and on the internet. Have a great day!! - Ann All I can say, my dear Ram: You done good, buddy boy! January/February 2007 Nurturing new talent: Allowing it to grow........and bloom!!!!! Again!!!!! Being in West Side Story changed my life Whatever job he got, I was one of the girls he’d hire David’s body of work showcases his many talents, including acting, dancing, singing, directing, producing writing, and choreographing, and one not really mentioned before: appreciating and nurturing new talent. In a recurring series, some of the many new talents will be featured, with David’s own recollection of their early years. We kicked off the series in September 2006with a look at two award-winning directors Stacy Peralta and Catherine Hardwicke, and we kick of 2007 with a look at the multi-talented, award winning performer and lovely human being: Teri Garr. Teri Garr is well known as the perky cute blonde who excels in comic acting. However her roots are in dancing and it was her dancing that led her to West Side Story and it was West Side Story that led to acting. Teri was a young aspiring dancer when she auditioned for a prominent Los Angeles production of West Side Story in 1962, which was being directed and choreographed by Tony Mordente. Already cast in this elite production was Chita Rivera as Anita and some others from the recently released movie version, including Gus Trikonis, Robert Karl, Andre Tayir, Maria Jimenez Henley and recreating his original role of Baby John, David Winters. Much to her surprise (and to Mr Mordente’s when asked about this recently) Teri did not make call backs as a dancer, but her self-professed brazen confidence got her back for the acting audition and she landed the coveted role of Velma. Tony recalls her being perfect looking for the role, having the right approach for the part, and above all, making him laugh when she read her line of ooo-ooo-blio. Nobody else even came close to capturing Velma. So that June, she graduated from high school on Friday and started rehearsals on Saturday. In her autobiography, Speedbumps, Teri recalls how Tony encouraged the cast to do more than just go through the moves. He talked about the legendary Actors Studio and creating characters. It may have only been a six week run, but it provided Teri with an equity card and a revelation that she also wanted to be an actress as well.
fter the run, David Winters opened his legendary dance studio and since Teri was “in love with him” (her words on page 34 of her autobiography) she began taking classes there, along with her good friend and fellow Jet girl in the LA production, Toni Basil). When fellow student Ann-Margret (archives Feb 2003) got the lead in the Elvis movie, Viva LasVegas, she recommended her favorite dance teacher as the choreographer. And once he got the job, David invited his students to auditions. According to David, “ The producers and the studios originally forced me to have auditions to prove to them that my dancers were the only ones who could do my steps.”
This time Teri made the cut as a dancer (and Toni also functioned as assistant choreographer, a position she would recreate many times again). This collaboration was followed by the Annette vehicle Pajama Party in which David choreographed an intricate ballet number in which they were playing volleyball. The concept was that Teri on the count of 8 would emerge from a hole in the sand and hit the ball. But when it came time to film, she discovered she would literally be in the hole, while others danced around her. espite nearly burying her alive, Teri and David remained closed while making movies together, enjoyed a running joke between them based on their WSS days. As David recalls, “ Teri, when we were rehearsing always used to say to me ‘I want to be an Actress’ and I used to say to her, ‘Shut up and dance’. And Toni Basil used to say to me, ‘I want to be a singer’, and I said to her, ‘Shut up and dance’. How interesting that Terri actually became an actress, and a great one to boot. And Toni actually did also become a singer with the number one song in the country and in most of the world. Who could have imagined. We said this so many times when we were working together, that it became kind of a joke. Cause we all knew what the other one was going to say before they said it.” Not only did Teri and David travel many paths together, but in her own words, she credits him for being her salvation more than once in her career.
After spending the next few years dancing for David in such shows The T.A.M.I. Show she decided to try her luck in New York, but found acting jobs hard to come by. Feeling rather frustrated she felt a sense of relief when she received a call from her buddy, David Winters, offering her a job dancing in a TV special starring the Supremes. Back in Los Angeles, she was also able to find employment on the sets of Star Trek and That Girl. But again the momentum ran out and she was again at a standstill in her career. Again David provided salvation for her. He was working with Ann-Marget again and he had recommended Teri as her dance in or body double for a wild ground-breaking body painting scene in The Swinger. And it seemed she never looked back. Teri went to star in such classics Young Frankenstein and Tootsie. She was also a favorite on Saturday Night Live and The David Letterman Show. Life threw her an unpleasant curve when she was diagnosed with, multiple sclerosis, but her self-professed brazen confidence has allowed her to cope elegantly and to become a role model and a leading advocate in raising awareness for MS and the latest treatments for the disease. eri is a charming, delightful, talented, resilient woman, but then her one-time crush, David, has known that all along. |
