|
.jpg)
John Calvert Espinosa
June 24, 1951 - April 8, 1990
John's words from the 10th Reunion Information sheet...
"After College, I moved to Los Angeles, where I began my career as a professional dancer. There I performed on many award winning television shows, including The Ben Vereen Special, The Cheryl Ladd Special, America Salutes Richard Rodgers and the Emmy Awards Show. I have danced with Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman, Sandy Duncan, Danny Kaye and Liza Minnelli in the film New York, New York.
I have danced in Las Vegas night club acts, with the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center and toured the United States, Canada and Mexico as a featured dancer in Gene Kelly's Salute to Broadway, Mack and Mabel starring Lucie Arnaz and Disney on Parade.
For the past three years, I have focused my energy on becoming a stage director. The past season on Broadway, I was assistant director of a new musical King of Hearts. And recently I traveled to the Philippines to choreograph a dance number for Frances Ford Coppola's new movie, Apocalypse Now, which will be released next month.
I now live in New York City and consider myself very fortunate to love my work as much now as I did when I danced in High School Talent Assemblies. John Calvert (Espinosa) 1979
|
Mona T. Abdoo (O'Henry)
John,
I pray I pay you a deserving tribute. You were my friend ever since you sat across from me in Mr Woods English class. You were fun and witty and pleasantly unusual. You had more courage and self conviction than anyone I knew. Passionate about your art and talent you faced daunting criticism for dancing or singing or whatever else you chose to do. But you took it like the man you were, forging on and never giving up on yourself. I once told you if I weren't an athlete, I would have been considered a nerd. I never had a cool bone in my body, and was always afraid I'd be found out. You, my buddy were the cool one. I will not forget you walking into the tenth reunion, dressed to the nines, so handsome and courageous. You made a career in NY doing what you loved...performing. Thanks for the last dance that infamous nite. I can almost see you tangoing through the clouds as I write. God Bless.
Your nerdy pal,
Mona
Rick R. Hales
Mona, you said that beautifully! It couldn't have been better. I wasn't close to John, but I will never forget him performing in the gym for us. He was so good. I remember admiring, what guts he had to do that. Isn't it funny, I have carried that memory of John, all these years and I really hardly knew him. It goes to show you what an immpression that young, kind and talented kid had on us. Thanks for that memory John.
Susan Gillette
I have always treasured the memory of Mona's "last dance" with John at the tenth reunion. I didn't know about their friendship at the time, but watching them was magical. He was an assistant choreographer on Broadway and had been working with one of the greatest choreographers of all time, Bob Fosse. He'd done some movie work. He was truly living his dream. And I realized that is what we should all be doing, trying to live our dream. Thanks for the inspiration, John.
Mona T. Abdoo (O'Henry)
Thanks Susan for all the info you had on John. Your research was soothing. And thanks for responding to the tribute, as well, Rick.
Nansi L. Williams (Blakely)
I didn't know John, other than his Flamenco dance he did in the gym. Talk about guts.
Sadly I remember people laughing, and I must say I was probably one of them.
Bottom line (as we all get older) some can look back and say "that really took a lot of courage"
He did what he loved and didn't care what others thought. WOW!!!!!!!
RIP
Donna G. Pinkerton (Laird)