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As Director 'Magician' Has Returned to HOI By BREN NICHOLS "I'm artistic, temperamental, and demanding. I expect perfection." Thus said the man who sank the Titanic, blew up the Hindenburg, was one of the first to use a swimming poo ?╟÷ all on stage and all for effect He's known for his gimmicks. his sophistication, but most of all for his talents with dance and the theater. Holiday on Ice is glad he's back. Glad that Don- Arden, this year's direc- t o r - choreographer, has returned. Just for a starter, a few of the feathers in his cap are an award from the Choreography Dance Masters of America for the Best Choreographer of 1967, the Grand Prix de Paris, the Silver Masque in Italy, the Gold Award in Italy, and the National Dance Educators Award in America. Joined HOI in 1942 He considers this year's edition of HOI as another feather in his cap as it will open the New Madison Square Garden in New York City. This is also the 25th anniversary season of HOI. "It's refreshing to come back to the ice," he said, "after all the glamour people." | Donn joined HOI in 1942. He j named that edition of the show, the show's first edition. He left it and returned in 1953-54, left it again and now has returned. Donn's entrance to dance seems to have begun at birth. "I was sort of born with rhythm," he commented. In 1927 this rhythm helped hm win a Charleston contest in his hometown, St. Louis. It was the same contest Ginger Rogers entered. Studied With 'Greats' From then on, his love for dance grew, and he began studying it seriously. He studied with such dancing greats as Charles Widemann and Doris Humphrey. His first teacher was the late Robert Alton, a man who had about six Broadway shows going at once. Donn learned technique in modern dance, ballet, acrobatics and jazz from him. He attributes his style to Mr. Alton "This business is the only thing I know, the only thing I love," Donn said. "It keeps you young and active. It's been a very good business for me. If you love your work, you can be successful, no matter what it is." His success began in small amounts ?╟÷ playing vaudeville houses in his teens for $10 a week and doing his own show when only 16, and progressed to the many shows he presently is doing. At the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, "Pzazz '68" is now showing. Another show just opened at the Stardust. Both shows are for Howard Hughes. 'Dance Is Art' ^ Two of the best known shows skaters have been receiving from Donn. "The skaters are really enjoying it," he said. "The final product of HOI will be skating plus dance." He added that dance gives the skaters "a search for character and motivation." Donn, who has done a "little skating," said he is very happy to include a tribute to Fred Astaire and his music in the new HOI. "It stars Ronnie Robertson," he said, "I'm sure he'll prove he's better and more talented than ever. He will not only skate, he will dance." During his 35 years in show business, he has managed to learn about all of the theatrical departments ?╟÷ lighting, directing, and the rest; Auditions are in his department, too. He advises that those wishing to audition should have some kind of j background in dance as well as skating. After finishing HOI, Donn will, as usual, move on to another show with his three assistants. This time to the Parisian Lido. The new HOI premieres the week of Aug. 12. Tickets go on sale July 21. HOI Rehearsals Going Smoothly Holiday on Ice rehearsals are progressing better than ever, even with delays of picture-taking and costumes. HOI Manager Tommy Collins said, "So far, there have been no accidents." Two additions have been made to the show: Comedian Gerry Willis, a tall blond-haired skater from England; and Esteban Miguel Italiano, better known as Little Lito." "Little Lito" is only _4 feet 8 inches in height and is a comedian. The Knoxviiie News-Sentinel Saturday, July 13, 1968 Page B-7^ 5000 GIRLS LATER-~~ Donn Arden is show standing on the balcony of the ice rink in the Civic Coliseum while giving directions to the skat ers below, What about the 5000 girls? That's the title of a book he's writing about his experiences with girls in show business. HI (Harrow S3HSIQ J0??9$ (JtyglKltOXttUlgtontal Friday, July 5, 1968 NEW PARTNER??╟÷-Alfredo Mendoza keeps looking for an adagio partner to take the place of Janie Morris, now Mrs. Tommy Collins and mother of a husky son, in Holiday On Ice productions; and it just may be he's found one in Darolyn Prias, a petite European brunette new with the troupe this year. The two have been practicing every spare minute, even while technicians take over mid-ice to adjust special lights for the 1969 show's opening number, now being perfected in rehearsals. ?√ß *??!d3E truiinodo ui ?╟÷ s TALLYHO! ?╟÷ Choreographer- director Don Arden climbs to the balcony in Municipal Coliseum to shout orders over the ice to skaters rehearsing big production numbers for Holiday On Ice 1969. Arden, of Hollywood, is experienced in staging spectacular shows using large casts. A perfectionist, he insists on rigid practice rules for the 32 girls and 12 men in the chorus lines, as well as for the star performers. ^^^^^