Choreographer Michael Smuin, a major force in the San Francisco dance world and one of the region's most prominent and audacious showmen, died of an Market Street studio were unsuccessful. Smuin, 68, was pronounced dead at San "The shock is foremost," said Smuin Ballet dancer Shannon Hurlburt. "He was in such a fantastic mood yesterday.
" The silver-haired Smuin had a heart attack in 1992 but seemingly had been in good health in recent years. Known for the vibrant, expressive and brassy work he created for his own company, for various regional companies, on Broadway and in Hollywood, Smuin was co-artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet from 1973 to 1985. He Theatre, where he was both a principal dancer and choreographer.
Ladies." He received an Emmy Award in 1984 for "Great Performances: Dance in America." He choreographed pieces for Dance Theatre of Harlem, Milwaukee Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Washington Ballet.
His film choreography credits include "Rumble Fish," "The Cotton Club" and "So I Married an Axe Smuin's range was voluminous, with both successes and failure writ on a large and often overtly showy scale. For his eponymous Smuin Ballet, he set dances to music by Frank Sinatra, George Gershwin, the Beatles, Haydn and up a storm," Jennifer Dunning wrote in the New York Times last year. The favorite in the Bay Area.
helped raise the company's national and international profile. The production aired on PBS' "Dance in America" the following year. "He made San Francisco Ballet a company to take seriously," said dance critic Allan Ulrich, who Ballet when his contract was not renewed in 1985, a failed production of and critical misgivings about his work, Smuin remained vital and productive.
In the 13 years he ran Smuin Ballet, he choreographed more than 40 pieces. He was at work on a new season, which will open as scheduled in May, when he died. idiom," said Dennis Nahat, artistic and executive director of Ballet San Jose and a colleague with Smuin at American Ballet Theatre.
"He was always trying to do different things or copy someone else and do it better. He had a great sense of humor and a never-say-die attitude. Nothing ever stopped him or slowed him value," said Ronn Guidi, founder of Oakland Ballet.
"People had their different reactions, but people came. I'm so grateful Michael devoted his life to dance. We'll miss his energy, his toughness and his love of the art.
" "San Francisco Ballet is saddened by the sudden passing of Michael Smuin," said Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson in a statement. "The company would like history, not only as a co-director, but as a dancer and choreographer. Michael many years, and he will be missed.
" Smuin was born on Oct. 13, 1938, in Missoula, Mont. His mother was a Mormon, he told The Chronicle in 2001.
His father worked as a Safeway butcher. Montana. He attended Missoula's Hellgate High, where he lettered in boxing in his freshman year.
At age 14, he moved to Salt Lake City on a dance scholarship at the University of Utah. San Francisco Ballet director Lew Christensen recruited him in 1953, when Smuin was 15. He eventually received his high school degree from Galileo High in San Francisco.
After dancing with San Francisco Ballet for eight years, Smuin married a fellow company member, Paula Tracy. The couple moved to New York in 1961. Smuin was cast in a Broadway musical, "Little Me," directed by Bob Fosse, in 1962.
Smuin and Tracy mounted a night-club dance act, which they toured around the country and overseas. First Smuin and then Tracy joined American Ballet Theatre in 1965. Smuin choreographed "Pulcinella Variations," "The Catherine Wheel" and other pieces for ABT before the couple returned to San Francisco.
They divorced in 2000. Francisco Ballet, a period that coincided with his work on "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway and various film projects. His tenure with San Francisco Ballet was artistically controversial and his departure stormy.
"I was devastated when it happened," he once said. After freelancing on everything from circuses to television commercials, Smuin founded his own company in 1994. Smuin's work might have had its detractors, but his company of 16 was devoted to him.
"He was always open to the dancers finding their own voices," said company member Hurlburt. "He gave you the opportunity to take risks and go beyond yourself." Board president Patti Hume called Smuin a "genius who was always thinking how to do this better.
We were a family." Hume said the dancers wanted to resume rehearsing right away. "He absolutely loved what he did," said Amy Seiwert, a Smuin Ballet dancer for the past eight years.
"It's been a very intense morning, but I think it's very beautiful that we were all there with him at the end." Seiwert recalled something Smuin said to her once and that she often repeated back to him. " 'If I only did the things I was supposed to do,' " Smuin told her, " 'I would never do anything.
' " Smuin is survived by a son, Shane Smuin; brothers Douglas Smuin and Stephen Smuin; and his ex-wife, Paula Tracy. Plans for a memorial are pending. choreographer Michael Smuin, who died Monday: -- Co-artistic director of San Francisco Ballet, 1973-1985 -- Resident choreographer of American Ballet Theatre, 1992 -- Also: Choreographed the tango in 1992 revival of "Private Lives," choreographed the 1990 musical "Shogun.
" -- Emmy Award winner for choreography for S.F. in 1984.
-- Emmy Award nominee for choreography for S.F. Ballet's "The Tempest" on "Great Performances: Dance in America" in 1981.
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