1918 is born. The choreographer spends most of his early career moving easily between the worlds of classical ballet and Broadway, choreographing and/or directing classics including , , , , , , and . In 1989, just nine years before his death, his career is celebrated in the Tony-winning musical revue, .
1948 , best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz, opens in at the St. James Theatre. The story, adapted by librettist , is based on the 1892 play, Charley's Aunt, and is set to music by genius . His score includes "My Darling, My Darling" and "Once in Love With Amy." , the well-known choreographer, stages the piece. Although reviews are mixed, it runs 792 performances, and a film version is made in 1952 starring Bolger, who is singled out by some critics as the only reason the show stayed open as long as it did. Unfortunately, no Broadway cast album exists because of a musician's strike during the run.
1958 and star in the musical , set in the world of silent films, opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. , drama critic at the New York Herald Tribune, directs and co-writes the book with his wife . choreographs. The musical's two featured performers, and , both win Tony Awards for their performances.
1979 The New York Times adopts a policy of allowing reviews of major productions to be based on preview performances rather than opening nights. Broadway producers were in dismay about this and were outright furious when (of the Times) had requested, and received, free preview tickets for shows of the season, while those same requests by critics for other major newspapers and magazines weren't honored.
1984 and star in 's first big Broadway success, , opening at the Cort Theatre. The play takes place at a Ma Rainey recording session, during which she is having trouble with one of her musicians. Frank Rich, in the New York Times, states that "This play is a searing inside account of what white racism does to its victims." The production runs 275 performances. Wilson goes on to write the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas and .
2000 The whine flows freely on Broadway when begins previews in , at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The Off-Broadway cast, including and , reunites for the Broadway staging of the urban comedy by . artistic director directs.
2001 and open in a revival of 's . Both go on to earn 2002 Oscar nominations for movie roles.
2002 An American troupe debuts the musical 42nd Street in Moscow, performing in English.
2009 The Broadway premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright 's , starring and , opens at the John Golden Theatre. directs the drama about a female college student who accuses her professor of sexual harassment.
2011 The world premiere of The Lyons, 's play about a dysfunctional family preparing for the death of its patriarch, opens Off-Broadway at the . The production, which stars Linda Lavin as wife and mother Rita Lyons, and earns Lavin a Tony nomination.
2012 A new Broadway production of 's 1897 romantic verse drama , starring in the title role, opens at 's American Airlines Theatre. directs a cast that also includes , , and .
More of Today's Birthdays: (1926鈥�2017). (1928鈥�2002). (1937鈥�2019). (b. 1948). (b. 1948). (b. 1956). (b. 1968).
Watch highlights from a West Side Story flash mob recreating the original Jerome Robbins choreography:
