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Reed Jones

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Reed Jones
BornJune 30, 1953
Portland, Oregon
DiedJune 19, 1989
Sherman Oaks, California
Occupation(s)Dancer, choreographer

Reed Jones (June 30, 1953 – June 19, 1989) was a dancer and choreographer whose credits included Skimbleshanks in the original cast of Cats and Big Deal in the Jerome Robbins revival of West Side Story.

Early life

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Jones was born in Portland, Oregon.

Performances

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Originally cast as an understudy, Jones originated the role of Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat in the original Broadway company of "Cats".[1] He replaced originally cast member Willie Rosario in the pre-opening rehearsal period, after Rosario suffered a prolonged knee injury. Other Broadway credits included Peter Pan (1979 revival, dance captain), West Side Story (1980 revival), America (1981), Play Me a Country Song (1982, dance captain),[2] A Chorus Line (1983),[3] You Can't Take it With You (1983, choreographer),[2] As Is (1985), The Loves of Anatol (1985).[4] He also toured as a dancer with Sandy Duncan in 1979.[5][6]

On screen, Jones appeared in an episode of Live from Lincoln Center (1979) and as a dancer in the film adaptation of A Chorus Line (1985). He was also credited as a choreographer in The Fan (1981), starring Lauren Bacall, and for musical staging when You Can't Take it WIth You was shown on Great Performances in 1984.

Death

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Jones died due to AIDS-related illness on June 19, 1989, eleven days before his thirty-sixth birthday, in Sherman Oaks, California.

References

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  1. ^ Brantley, Ben (2001-11-14). The New York Times Book of Broadway: On the Aisle for the Unforgettable Plays of the Last Century. Macmillan. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-312-28411-4.
  2. ^ a b Dietz, Dan (2016-02-18). The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 141–142, 451. ISBN 978-1-4422-6092-4.
  3. ^ Stevens, Gary (1995). The Longest Line: Broadway's Most Singular Sensation, A Chorus Line. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 233. ISBN 978-1-55783-221-4.
  4. ^ Wallach, Allan (1985-03-07). "A romantic comedy set in old Vienna". Newsday (Nassau Edition). p. 190. Retrieved 2024-02-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Barker, Gerry (1979-04-18). "Sandy Duncan a delightful act". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 46. Retrieved 2024-02-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Price, Hardy (1979-03-03). "Duncan rated G (for great)". Arizona Republic. p. 104. Retrieved 2024-02-25 – via Newspapers.com.
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