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LaVerne Ligon, B. J. Thomas, and Leonard Polk oral history interview: audio clip
Date
all of the dates: 2012-07-09, 2012-07-18
Archival Collection
Description
LaVerne Ligon discusses auditioning for the show Hallelujah Hollywood at the new MGM. She auditioned for Bob Mackie and Donn Arden, who wanted her to be topless in the show. She refused. Three weeks later, Donn Arden called her and said that she had changed his mind and he really wanted her in the show and she didn't have to go topless. In fact the entire line of Black dancers that he was putting together for the show did not have to go topless.
Sound
Kelley, Fiona
Dr. Fiona Kelley was born and raised in Connecticut. Her parents were both teachers (though her mother quit teaching to raise their two daughters), and the family would take European vacations every summer, exploring castles and enjoying picnic lunches.
Person
Ligon, LaVerne (1942 July 26-)
LaVerne Ligon was born in Washington, D. C. She attended the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. Later, she joined the Capitol Ballet Company. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. In 1974, she successfully auditioned for a touring cast of Hello, Dolly! After completing that show, Ligon performed in a number of productions in Las Vegas, including Hallelujah Hollywood and Jubilee. She retired from dancing in the early 1980s after sustaining an injury and she opened the Simba Talent Agency, a dance school for at-risk youth.
Person
