George M. Cohan was an American composer, lyricist, producer, actor, and dancer who is credited with helping to shape the modern musical theatre canon. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1878 and by the time of his death in 1942 he had become one of the most famous songwriters of the early 20th century.
Cohan is particularly remembered for his influence on dance in musical theatre.
Cohan’s style of dance was energetic and full of life. He was a master at creating choreography that would excite the audience and engage them in the story being told onstage.
He often made use of props such as chairs and canes to create dynamic choreography that would draw attention to particular moments in a show. He also used large ensembles with intricate formations that would help create a sense of grandeur during big production numbers.
Cohan’s influence on dance in musical theatre extended beyond just choreography; he was also instrumental in creating new styles of music for dancers to perform to. His compositional style blended different genres such as ragtime and traditional marches into something new and exciting for audiences at the time. This helped to create a more varied soundscape for dancers to experiment with, as well as providing a wider range of musical styles for audiences to enjoy.
Cohan’s legacy has been cemented by his impact on musical theatre dance; he helped create a more dynamic form of choreography that allowed dancers more freedom to express themselves through movement. His unique blend of musical styles allowed dancers to explore new ways of telling stories through movement while also providing variety for audiences who were thirsting for something different from traditional ballet or vaudeville-style performances.
Conclusion:
George M. Cohan was an iconic figure in American musical theatre whose influence on dance is still felt today. His energetic choreography and unique blend of musical styles created a new form of storytelling through movement that captivated audiences at the time and continues to inspire today’s performers. Cohan changed dance in musical theatre forever by creating a more expressive way for performers to tell stories onstage.