Doris Eaton Travis, Among the Last of the Ziegfeld Girls, Dead at 106

Doris Eaton Travis, Among the Last of the Ziegfeld Girls, Dead at 106


Doris Eaton Travis, the former Ziegfeld Follies dancer who inspired 21st century audiences with her pluck, good will — and fancy footwork — at 12 of 13 annual Easter Bonnet Competition performances for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, died May 11 at the age of 106, according to Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA.

Ms. Eaton was thought to be among "the last of the Ziegfeld Girls" — as were known the bejeweled ensemble of women who graced the stage of the New Amsterdam Theatre (and elsewhere) in producer Flo Ziegfeld's revues in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Eight decades after her initial bout of fame, she again found an audience on the stage of the New Amsterdam. She danced for a 1998 audience when she appeared with four other graying Ziegfeld veterans in the first Easter Bonnet fundraiser at the theatre, then newly restored, on West 42nd Street.

"She was truly our good luck charm," Viola told Playbill.com. "In 1998, at 94, she was in incredible shape — in amazing shape. We brought her back every year, and she would dance in the opening number. She taught Sutton Foster how to dance 'The Black Bottom,' she danced with the 'Cagelles' from the previous revival, we celebrated her 100th birthday on stage, she appeared with the cast of Billy Elliot."



http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139454-Doris-Eaton-Travis-Among-the-Last-of-the-Ziegfeld-Girls-Dead-at-106

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/dont-look-back-in-anger/280567

Why did I live so long? I'll tell you why...

'cause I'm a dancer!

- John Belushi

Bet she was in excellent shape.

:loveya:

Wow 106! I should have danced all night...

I'd like to read her book.

I interviewed Ms. Travis just two months ago. She was such a sweet lady.
She came to NYC just last week for a signing.
If you get the time, I highly recommend the book "Century Girl" from a few years ago. It's a beautiful photo collage/bio made of all the things she saved over the years. One of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. You can get it really cheap on Amazon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IN3gOQcgEI

She went every March , including this year, and performed