MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

September 23, 2003

Flatt’s Choreography to be Commemorated

EVANSTON, Ill. --- The life and work of renowned choreographer Ernie Flatt, a four-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer who had a 40-year long career in film, television and on stage, will be celebrated during “Flatt Out!” The special Northwestern University fall dance event at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, will be held at the Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus.

Early in his career, Flatt assisted choreographers Gene Kelly, Eugene Loring and Bob Alton. He danced in many films and musicals including “Singing in the Rain,” “No Business Like Show Business, and “An American in Paris.” During the course of his career, he was nominated for six Tony Awards.

The Oct. 4 program will include recreations of original choreography that Flatt conceived for television and theatre. These recreations will be choreographed and danced by Northwestern’s Lara Teeter, assistant professor of theatre, and artistic director of Light Opera Works in Evanston.

Dances also will be performed by Northwestern Music Theatre and Dance Program students with special guest appearances by Carl Jablonski and Bobbi Bates – two original members of the Ernie Flatt Dancers on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

The evening will feature dances that were originally performed on “The Gary Moore Show” as well as video montages of Flatt’s career, and live tributes from some of Chicago’s most respected choreographers.

The Oct. 4 dance program will be directed by Dominic Missimi, professor of theatre, and director of the Northwestern University Music Theatre Program.

On Broadway, Flatt choreographed “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and “Lorelei,” in addition to Broadway revivals including “Oklahoma!” In his later career, Flatt returned to Broadway to choreograph “Honky Tonk Nights,” “Durante,” and “Sugar Babies.”

For three decades he was the leading choreographer on television. In addition to “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Gary Moore Show,” his works were performed on “Hit Parade.” Flatt also choreographed numerous television specials including “Carol and Julie at Carnegie Hall,” featuring Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews. Flatt died in 1995.

The Oct. 4 gala evening of dance is part of a larger effort to preserve the important work of Ernie Flatt as a choreographer in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

“Flatt Out!” will be presented with the support of the Northwestern University Alumnae Board, the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts, School of Communication, department of theatre, and the Theatre and Interpretation Center, with special thanks to Carol Burnett and Whacko, Inc.

All tickets are $25. To order tickets, call the Theatre and Interpretation Center Box Office at (847) 491-7282.