Roger Minami

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Roger Minami
Born (1945-06-16) June 16, 1945 (age 80)
Hawaii, United States
Occupations Dancer
Choreographer
Years activemid-1960s–1996
Notable work The Act (Broadway, 1977); Annie (film, 1982); Takarazuka Revue Glitter, With Gusto (1989)

Roger Minami (born 16 June 1945) [1] is an American dancer and choreographer.

Contents

Early life

Minami was born in Honolulu towards the tail end of the Second World War. [1] He is a third-generation American of Japanese descent. [2] He attended Long Beach State University. [1] Before finding success as a dancer, Minami worked as a soda jerk at C.C. Brown's. [3]

Career

In the mid-1960s Minami was one of several resident dancers on the US variety show Where the Action Is , collectively dubbed The Action Kids. [4] In 1969 he appeared with Ann-Margret on her television special From Hollywood With Love and choreographed another special for Frank Sinatra, Jr.. [5]

From 1970 Minami became an established presence in Las Vegas revues, winning multiple awards for his role in Bare Touch of Vegas at The Stardust Hotel. [6]

In 1977 Minami received a breakout role onstage as Arthur in The Act , starring Liza Minnelli. Minami joined the show in Los Angeles during its out of town tryout and stayed with the show when it transferred to Broadway. [7] In New York he received significant notice and the New York Times highlighted him in its guide to young talent for the year. [8] [9] [10] He continued to tour and collaborate with Minnelli, appearing with her at Carnegie Hall and in her 1980 HBO special Standing Room Only. [11] [12]

John Huston's 1982 screen adaptation of the musical Annie featured Minami as the Asp, and Minami contributed choreography to the film as well. [2] [13]

Minami's later career was focused largely on choreography. He served as choreographer for the 1983 film Spring Break as well as appearing in the picture. [14] In 1988 he traveled to Japan, and the following year was one of several choreographers for the Takarazuka Revue Company show Glitter, With Gusto at Radio City Music Hall. [2] [15] Through the mid-1990s Minami produced shows for Merv Griffin's Atlantic City ventures. [16]

Later life

Minami retired from entertainment in 1996 and took up a new career as a painter. [17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Theatre World, 1977-1978. Crown Publishing Group. 1979. p. 251. ISBN   9780517535219 . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Bowers, Fabian (22 October 1989). "From Japan, Dazzle Aplenty". New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  3. ↑ Archerd, Army (21 May 1982). "Just for Variety". Daily Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Where the Action Is 1966 – The Temptation Walk – Ain't Too Proud to Beg, The Temptations". YouTube. YouCanDanceToit!. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "MONSANTO NIGHT: FRANK SINATRA, JR. WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  6. ↑ Gima, Dick (26 November 1974). "Anything goes". The Hawaii Hochi. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  7. ↑ Stewart, John (2012). Broadway Musicals, 1943-2004: Volume II. McFarland, Incorporated. ISBN   9781476603292 . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "New Faces: A Guide to the Season's Young Talent". New York Times. 4 November 1977. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Eder, Richard (31 October 1977). "Liza Minnelli's 'Act' Is Fine as Cabaret". New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Kalem, T.E. (14 November 1977). "The Theater: X Factor". Time. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  11. ↑ Wilson, John S. (6 September 1979). "Liza Minnelli Displays Her Versatility". New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "STANDING ROOM ONLY: AN EVENING WITH LIZA MINNELLI (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  13. ↑ Canby, Vincent (21 May 1982). "HUSTON'S 'ANNIE' MAKES ITS LAVISH DEBUT". New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Spring Break". American Film Institute. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  15. ↑ Holden, Stephen (27 October 1989). "Review/Theater; Japan's Answer to the Ziegfeld Follies". New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  16. ↑ Spatz, David J. (22 February 2011). "Revival of Old-School Casino Revue Shows". Atlantic City Weekly. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "Roger Minami". Rubini Gallery. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
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