Bambi Linn
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Bambi Linn (born Bambina Linnemeier; April 26, 1926) is an American dancer, choreographer, and actress. Linn trained extensively with noted choreographer
Agnes de Mille Agnes George de Mille (September 18, 1905 – October 7, 1993) 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. deMill ...
. At the age of 17, she made her
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
debut in the original production of ''
Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'' (1943). With the death of actor
George S. Irving George S. Irving (born Irving Shelasky; November 1, 1922 – December 26, 2016) was an American actor known primarily for his character roles on Broadway theatre, Broadway and as the voice of Heat Miser in the American Christmas television spe ...
, she is the last surviving cast member of ''Oklahoma!s opening night. De Mille used her again as Louise in ''
Carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (List of sovereign states, international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in South Australia, SA) is a type of amusement ...
'' (1945), for which she earned a
Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway theatre, Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945â ...
. Linn repeated the role in the 1957 revival at
City Center A city centre is the commercial, cultural and often the historical, political, and geographic heart of a city. The term "city centre" is primarily used in British English, and closely equivalent terms exist in other languages, such as "" in Fren ...
. Her other Broadway credits include the title role in ''
Alice in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatur ...
'' (1947) and Blanche in ''
I Can Get It for You Wholesale ''I Can Get It for You Wholesale'' is a musical, produced by David Merrick, music and lyrics by Harold Rome, and book by Jerome Weidman, based on his 1937 novel of the same title. It marked the Broadway debut of 19-year-old Barbra Streisand, wh ...
'' (1962). Linn, who was a guest soloist with
American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. Through 2019, it had an annual ei ...
, continued making occasional stage appearances until the early 1980s. In the 1950s, Linn was best known as half of a
ballroom dance Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. ...
team with her first husband Rod Alexander. The two made frequent appearances on TV's ''
Your Show of Shows ''Your Show of Shows'' is a live 90-minute variety show that was broadcast weekly in the United States on NBC from February 25, 1950, through June 5, 1954, featuring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Other featured performers were Carl Reiner, Howar ...
'', ''
The Colgate Comedy Hour ''The Colgate Comedy Hour'' was an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars. Many of the scripts of the series ...
'', ''
Toast of the Town ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the '' CBS Sunday Night ...
'', and ''
Max Liebman Presents ''Max Liebman Presents'', aka ''Max Liebman Spectaculars'', is an American television anthology series, presented monthly in a 90-minute format. A total of 28 episodes aired every fourth Sunday (some Saturday) from September 12, 1954, to June 9, 19 ...
'', and others. Linn made only one film appearance: as the fantasy Laurey in the extended "Dream Ballet" sequence in ''
Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'' (1955). She and Alexander created a similar dream ballet for the live 1955 broadcast of ''
The Desert Song ''The Desert Song'' is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French colonia ...
''.Myers, Eric
"Romberg: ''The Desert Song''
''Opera News'', April 2011, Vol. 75, No. 10, accessed June 16, 2011
Linn has four children, and raised them in Westport, Connecticut.


References


External links

* *
Brief article on Bambi LinnThe Bambi Linn Collection
is held by the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, The Ohio State University Libraries.


Further reading

*Wilk, Max. ''OK! The Story of Oklahoma!: A Celebration of America's Most Beloved Musical.'' Rev. ed. New York: Applause Books, 2002. . {{DEFAULTSORT:Linn, Bambi 1926 births Living people American female dancers American musical theatre actresses Dancers from New York (state) 21st-century American women