Marc Strauss, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Dobbins Conservatory
of Theatre and Dance
Holland College of Arts & Media
Southeast Missouri State University
Four Classes
1:30 – 4:00 (Zoom ONLY)
October 6, 13, 20, 27
(October 27 class is 2:00 – 4:30)
Fred Astaire (1899–1987) is famous for his extraordinary choreography and dance performances set to over 200 songs in 31 film musicals, and a handful of television specials, from 1933–1968. Most songwriters in the Great American Songbook chose to collaborate with him, due to his sense of creativity, rhythm, impeccable style, and tireless perfectionism. Trained as a dancer, pianist, and vocalist, his voice was noted for its lyricism, diction, and phrasing. Marc will introduce, show, and lead discussion on four of Astaire’s musicals —The Gay Divorcee (1934), Top Hat (1935), Swing Time (1936), and A Damsel in Distress (1937) — full of songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields, and George & Ira Gershwin respectively.
