John Kriza
Encyclopedia
John Kriza was a ballet dancer who was one of American Ballet Theatre
's best-known male principals.
Kriza danced with ABT from 1940 to 1966. He originated rôles in ballets by nearly every major choreographer from the period, including George Balanchine
, Agnes de Mille
, Eugene Loring
, Léonide Massine, Jerome Robbins
, and Antony Tudor
. Some of the most significant include one of the sailors in Robbins' Fancy Free (1944) and the Pastor in de Mille's Fall River Legend
(1948); he is probably best-remembered, though, for his performance in the title rôle of Loring's Billy the Kid
. Kriza's regular partners included Nora Kaye
and Ruth Ann Koesun.
Although Kriza did not appear in Hollywood musicals, he performed regularly on television—most significantly in the title rôle of Billy the Kid for Omnibus
(1953). Other credits include the Pastor in Fall River Legend and the Champion Roper in Rodeo, also for Omnibus. A number of archival films exist at the New York Public Library
.
After retiring in 1966, Kriza remained on staff at ABT until he died while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico
near Naples, Florida
.
Kriza was the brother of Lillian Rosicky and George J. Kriza, son of John Kriza and Marie Kriza. His nephews included Ed and George Rosicky and George L. Kriza. He lived in Bloomingdale on his parents' farm. He was well known in Berwyn where he grew up, attending Morton High School. He was often featured in the local Berwyn Life, and was well known among his community for his ballet achievements. In the course of his career, he danced for John Kennedy in the White House, Khruschev in the Kremlin and before other dignitaries. He was a member of the original cast of American Ballet Theatre.
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
's best-known male principals.
Kriza danced with ABT from 1940 to 1966. He originated rôles in ballets by nearly every major choreographer from the period, including George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
, Agnes de Mille
Agnes de Mille
Agnes George de Mille was an American dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Agnes de Mille was born in New York City into a well-connected family of theater professionals. Her father William C. deMille and her uncle Cecil B. DeMille were both Hollywood directors...
, Eugene Loring
Eugene Loring
Eugene Loring American ballet and other dance-forms dancer, choreographer and teacher and administrator.-Biography:...
, Léonide Massine, Jerome Robbins
Jerome Robbins
Jerome Robbins was an American theater producer, director, and choreographer known primarily for Broadway Theater and Ballet/Dance, but who also occasionally directed films and directed/produced for television. His work has included everything from classical ballet to contemporary musical theater...
, and Antony Tudor
Antony Tudor
Antony Tudor was an English ballet choreographer, teacher and dancer.-Biography:Tudor, born William Cook, discovered dance accidentally. He began dancing professionally with Marie Rambert in 1928, becoming general assistant for her Ballet Club the next year...
. Some of the most significant include one of the sailors in Robbins' Fancy Free (1944) and the Pastor in de Mille's Fall River Legend
Fall River Legend
Fall River Legend is a ballet based on the life of Lizzie Borden. One of choreographer Agnes de Mille's best-known works, it featured an original score by Morton Gould, lighting design by Jean Rosenthal and scenic design by Oliver Smith....
(1948); he is probably best-remembered, though, for his performance in the title rôle of Loring's Billy the Kid
Billy the Kid (ballet)
Billy the Kid is a 1938 ballet written by the American composer Aaron Copland and commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein. It was choreographed by Eugene Loring for Ballet Caravan. Along with Rodeo and Appalachian Spring, it is one of Copland's most popular and widely performed pieces...
. Kriza's regular partners included Nora Kaye
Nora Kaye
Nora Kaye was an American ballerina called the Duse of Dance after acclaimed actress Eleonora Duse. She also worked in films as a choreographer and producer....
and Ruth Ann Koesun.
Although Kriza did not appear in Hollywood musicals, he performed regularly on television—most significantly in the title rôle of Billy the Kid for Omnibus
Omnibus (US TV series)
Omnibus is an American, commercially sponsored, educational television series.-History:Broadcast live primarily on Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm Eastern time, from November 9, 1952 until 1961. Omnibus originally aired on CBS, and later on Sunday evenings on ABC. The program finally moved to NBC in...
(1953). Other credits include the Pastor in Fall River Legend and the Champion Roper in Rodeo, also for Omnibus. A number of archival films exist at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
.
After retiring in 1966, Kriza remained on staff at ABT until he died while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
near Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
.
Kriza was the brother of Lillian Rosicky and George J. Kriza, son of John Kriza and Marie Kriza. His nephews included Ed and George Rosicky and George L. Kriza. He lived in Bloomingdale on his parents' farm. He was well known in Berwyn where he grew up, attending Morton High School. He was often featured in the local Berwyn Life, and was well known among his community for his ballet achievements. In the course of his career, he danced for John Kennedy in the White House, Khruschev in the Kremlin and before other dignitaries. He was a member of the original cast of American Ballet Theatre.