In Remembrance: Onna White

     Onna White, the multiple Tony Award nominated choreographer who received an Honorary Academy Award for her work in the film adaptation of the musical Oliver!, has passed away on April 8, 2005. She was 83.

     Born on March 24, 1922 on Prince Edward Island, Canada, White was a classically trained ballerina who made her professional debut dancing with the San Francisco Opera Ballet. Moving to Broadway, she danced in productions of Finian’s Rainbow, Guys And Dolls and Silk Stockings before becoming an assistant to choreographer Michael Kidd. Her first Tony nomination came for her work on the original 1958 production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man, featuring Robert Preston. Although White would be eventually nominated for a total of eight Tonys – for work on such productions as Irma La Douce, Mame and I Love My Wife- she never won the award.

     In 1962, White rejoined Preston to choreograph the film adaptation of The Music Man. She also choreographed the films Bye Bye Birdie (1963), The Great Waltz (1972), 1776 (1972), Mame (1974) and Pete’s Dragon (1977).

     One of the most memorable of White’s dances for Oliver! was the production number “Food, Glorious Food,” which featured dozens of children dancing through an orphanage’s dining hall. In addition to her honorary Oscar, Oliver! also won the Best Picture Academy Award.