Gert, Valeska (1900–1978)

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Gert, Valeska (1900–1978)

German actress and concert dancer. Born Jan 11, 1900, in Berlin, Germany; died 1978 in Sylt, Germany.

Appeared in films by Jean Renoir and Ernst Pabst, including Pabst's Threepenny Opera; worked with Max Reinhardt early on; presented numerous solo dance recitals at her own cabaret club Kohlkoppec in Berlin, in recitals throughout Germany, and in US during WWII; considered greatly influential upon development of US concert dance (1930s); her works were often a form of social commentary. Works of choreography include Chansonette (for cabaret), Music Hall (for cabaret), Strip Tease (1936), The Famous Pianist (1940), To Die (1940), La Tragedienne Française (1940) and Americana (1940).

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Gert, Valeska (1900–1978)

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