NAME: Shawn, Michael

BIRTH DATE/LOCATION:
3 July 1944, Springfield, Illinois

DEATH DATE/LOCATION:
28 April 1990, Manhattan, age 45

  • identification & bio
  • key contact
  • human repositories
  • video documentation
  • photographic documentation
    		•
  • movement notation
  • production materials
  • oral history
  • personal papers
  • immediate needs
    		•
  • other relevant information
  • overview of works
  • bibliography
  • back to introduction
    •
  • back to index of choreographers
    •

    IDENTIFICATION AND BIO:
    A choreographer for stage and film, Michael Shawn attracted attention when he was fired as the choreographer of the Broadway show Legs Diamond in 1988. Shawn sued the show's producers, alleging that his dismissal was a result of the fact that he had been diagnosed with AIDS. Ultimately, he was awarded an out-of-court settlement of $175,000. According to Larry Billman (see below), Shawn had completed the choreography for Legs Diamond during workshop sessions. Before opening night, however, he was replaced by Alan Johnson. Shawn told Robert Johnson of Dance Magazine (see below), "AIDS discrimination robs both the perpetrators and the victims of their humanity and dignity. I believed that I had an obligation—to myself, to other people with disabilities, and to the theater—to fight this legal battle. All employers, even Broadway producers, should understand that if they fire someone simply because he or she has AIDS, they may have to pay a heavy price." Shawn died of AIDS-related causes.

    KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
    Survived by his wife, Mary Rotella; his mother, Bonnie Henry of St. Louis, two brothers, John and Chris of St. Louis, and two sisters, Mildred Disko and Kathryn Marquart, St. Louis; none could be located via internet search.

    HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
    (name and contact info, relationship to the artist and the work, assessment):
    None identified.

    VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    None identified.

    PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    None identified.

    MOVEMENT NOTATION
    (location, type [including notes taken by dancers], assessment):
    None identified.

    PRODUCTION MATERIALS
    (scores, sound recordings, set/costume designs):
    None identified.

    ORAL HISTORY:
    None identified.

    PERSONAL PAPERS
    (location of newspaper clippings, printed programs, press releases, notes, files, diaries; assessment):
    The Dance Collection of the New York Public Library maintains a clippings file for "Shawn, Michael," call number MGZR.

    IMMEDIATE NEEDS
    (archival assistance? storage? other?):
    Search for executor.

    OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
    None identified.

    PARTIAL LIST OF OVERVIEW OF WORKS
    (title, premiere date, music, production notes, performers):
    This list adapted from Billman (see below):

    Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)—choreographic assistant to Howard Jeffrey

    Act for Cycle Sluts (1976)—concert act

    The Goodbye Girl (1977)—Broadway show; also played the role of the choreographer

    Onward, Victoria (1980)—Broadway show

    Oh, Brother! (1981)—Broadway show

    Damn Yankees (1986)—Paper Mill Playhouse revival

    Peter Allen at Radio City Music Hall (1988)

    Legs Diamond (1988)—uncredited choreography for Broadway show

    BIBLIOGRAPHY:

    • Billman, Larry. 1997. Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia, with a History and Filmographies, 1893 through 1995. Jefferson, N.Carolina: McFarland & Company. 489.
    • Dance Magazine. 1990. "Obituaries: Michael Shawn" (October): 33.
    • Johnson, Robert. 1990. "Shawn Wins Settlement of AIDS Suit" (April): 14.
    • McKinley, James C. Jr. 1990. "Michael Shawn, 45, a Director and Choreographer for Broadway." New York Times (30 April).
    • New York Times. 1989. "Dismissal of Choreographer With AIDS Was Illegal and Unfair" (17 November).
    • New York Times. 1990. "'Legs Diamond' Suit Is Settled Out of Court" (6 January).
    • Sadownick, Douglas. 1989. "Curtain Rises on Broadway AIDS Discrimination Case." New York Times (31 July).
         		 
    index of choreographers »

    TOP