Get the story behind their legendary Stormy Weather dance number done in one take with zero rehearsal.
“They are your favorite dancers' favorite dancers.”
“And if you see them and you see any of their films, you’ll never forget.”
The Nicholas Brothers.Everett Collection
“That’s just not me saying that, but Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Gregory Hines.
They all agreed that this is without a doubt the greatest dance routine ever put on film.”
There’s some dispute over this claim.
The Nicholas Brothers.Everett Collection
“The routine was done in one take, and they had the cameras positioned.
The number was a result of their continued attempts to outdo themselves each time they appeared on screen.
The splits sequence gets particular notice for the ways in which it seems to defy physical possibility.
The Nicholas Brothers.Everett Collection
Tony suggests it’s because everyone knew there was no topping the Nicholas Brothers' performance.
“The Nicholas Brothers would say that they did everything in show business except opera,” says Nicole.
“They did comedies.
They did live theater.
Harold spoke over five languages.
This also led to the collection of Nicholas Brothers home movies being digitized for posterity.
“They are now part of the Library of Congress.
We had footage of the Nicholas Brothers from over the decades all over the world.
That is now part of history.”
“It’s really special that they’re doing this in their first year of existing.”
But it’s this skill on top of the obstacles they faced that truly set them apart.
“The Nicholas Brothers always show up with class.
“Their peers didn’t have to not stay at the venue they were performing in.
They didn’t have to go in the back door of the venue they were performing in.
But they look first class smiling and entertaining in spite of everything.”
Adds Tony: “Regenerationis opening up the whole idea of the Nicholas Brothers.
They incorporated everything in their dance they did ballet, jazz, hip-hop, everything.
Regenerationis now open at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles through April 9, 2023.
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