The true story of an introverted young man's battle against all the odds to succeed as a dancer in New York, on Broadway and internationally.
When Kenny Pearl arrived in New York City, determined to succeed as a dancer, he was penniless, friendless and jobless. His memories shine against the backdrop of the turbulent ’60s and ’70s, including Vietnam War protests, the military draft and the rampant crime that once plagued the city. From humble beginnings in the hippie-populated Lower East Side, to performing with the greats of the New York modern dance scene—he danced with the companies of both Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey—Pearl’s life is one of tenacity, hard work and passion. This is the engaging story of the hurdles he faced on his unique journey and the remarkable people he met along the way.
Professional Reviews
Vancouver Sun, Max Wyman, Arts Critic, (1968-2001)
Kenny Pearl has crafted a vivid and absorbing evocation of one dancer’s life over the span of two important decades in New York, offering not only the honest story of his own awakening as an artist but also a series of insightful, sharp-focused portraits of the great artists he worked with—Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Pearl Lang—as well as memorable vignettes of bit players in his story such as Leonard Bernstein and Doris Duke and (always tastefully) the many ladies he pursued. His powers of recall are prodigious; we relive with him many of the struggles of an illegal Canadian making a life as a performer in New York. We also experience the thrill and challenge of working with great choreographers on some of their most important works, though his self-deprecating humour and clear-eyed self-awareness keep everything in modest proportion. This feel-good story is not only an inspiration to any young dancer; it is a delicious read for anyone interested in getting an insider’s track on the unfolding story of modern dance in America.
The Dance Current Magazine, Molly Johnson
The Dance Gods is an engrossing look into the life of a dancer in New York City, during the heady decades of the 60's and 70's. Through the incredible experiences of Kenny Pearl, we are immersed in the feeling of this significant and singular time in history. With remarkable clarity and detail, Pearl recounts his rise from aspiring novice to sought after performer and teacher, bringing us deep into the inner sanctums of dance icons Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham along the way. Divulging vivid anecdotes of both a personal and professional nature, Pearl astutely reveals the multi-faceted existence of the dancer, giving equal attention to his struggle (and ultimate success) as an artist as to the personal and emotional roadblocks that challenge us all. The Dance Gods resonates for this reason in particular - it charts an extraordinary period of time for an exceptionally gifted man, all the while maintaining Pearl as a beautifully ordinary and extremely relatable personality. An absolute page turner and a brilliant tribute to a pivotal time in modern dance.
