Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) will honor legendary dancer, singer and actress Mitzi Gaynor as its 2013 Woman of the Year at the annual Black & White Ball on January 26 at Bellagio Las Vegas.
“We are thrilled to recognize the multi-talented Mitzi Gaynor as our 2013 Woman of the Year,” said NBT Co-Founder and Board Co-Chair Nancy Houssels. “From her early beginnings as a ballet dancer and then a movie star, to her nightclub debut at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Mitzi’s impact on the entertainment industry is unparalleled and her contributions to the world of dance continue today through her work with the Professional Dancers Society, where she serves as President.”
Gaynor’s achievements and legacy have reached beyond the stage and screen, making her one of the most influential legends in the entertainment industry. She continues to captivate audiences today with her new one-woman show, currently on tour, Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins: An Intimate Evening of Laughs, Love & Music, for which The New York Times deemed her “an all time great.”
Past honorees of the Black & White Ball include luminaries of the stage and screen such as Debbie Reynolds,Chita Rivera, Celine Dion, Ann-Margret, Marie Osmond, Priscilla Presley and most recently Eva Longoria. NBT has honored these legendary women for their dedication to the world of arts and entertainment.
Mitzi's Vegas connection:
In 1961, once again with Jack Bean’s encouragement, Mitzi made her nightclub debut in Las Vegas. An instant sensation, she smashed all records at the famed Flamingo Hotel where each night more than a thousand customers were turned away. LIFE magazine noted “Mitzi fractures Las Vegas…she began at the top and climbed even higher” and The Hollywood Reporter proclaimed her “flawless and devastating.”