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Paul Szilard was born in Budapest, Hungary and became a United States citizen in the 1950’s. A former leading dancer, Paul Szilard has performed throughout the world with such famous dancers as Nora Kaye, Colette Marchand, Sonia Arova and others.
As a world-renowned impresario, he has presented such prestigious dance companies as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (for which he has been the exclusive international representative for over 35 years), New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Dancers of Bali, Madrid’s Ballet Víctor Ullate, Universal Ballet and the American premiere engagement of the Bunraku Japanese Doll Theater.
Paul Szilard produced the first Japanese tour of West Side Story with an American cast, and has been responsible for countless celebrated cultural events throughout Asia, Australia and Europe.
He produced and presented the Bavarian National Ballet of the Munich State Opera at the New York State Theater in 1993. In 1994, he presented The Royal Swedish Ballet’s first tour of Japan. In September 1999 he presented American Ballet Theater at the Nouveau Festival International de Danse de Paris; Madame Chirac, President. He presented Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the same festival in 2001 and also presented the Company at the Athens Festival at the Herod Atticus Theatre and at the Opera House in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Martha Graham Dance Company, the most famous modern dance company, is under the exclusive international management of Paul Szilard Productions. In 2007, they had a several-week season in Germany, produced by Mr. Brenner of BB-Promotion. They performed to sold-out houses in Cologne, Hamburg and Munich, and in Holland. It was followed by a tour in Greece where they performed at the Herod Atticus open-air theater, with between 4,000-5,000 people, completely sold-out. It was such an enormous success that the American Ambassador in Athens sent a thank you letter to Mr. Szilard for sending such an outstanding cultural attraction, representing the United States. This Greek engagement was followed by a several-week tour of Italy. Later in 2007, the Graham Company had a two-week season at the Joyce Theater in New York, which was again sold-out, with wonderful press. At present, negotiations for another tour of Europe are underway.
In November 2007, West Side Story, performed by an American company, was produced and presented in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet, which is one of the most prestigious houses in Paris, for a six-week tour. To the amazement of the French public, it was completely sold-out. The producers were the Theatre du Chatelet, Michael Brenner for BB-Promotion, and Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. The last performance was January 12, 2008, and it is now followed by a European tour in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere.
Also in negotiation at present are tours of France and Germany of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham Dance Company, to be produced by Mr. Michael Brenner of BB-Promotion and Paul Szilard Productions, Inc.
On December 16, 2007, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater gave a special birthday gala for Paul Szilard, the producer who has been the agent for the company for almost 40 years. The gala was at City Center Theater and had a completely sold-out house covered by the press and TV, and it was followed by a reception which was attended by many of the outstanding stars of Broadway and ballet. Ms. Judith Jamison, the Artistic Director of the company and a close friend of Mr. Szilard introduced him onstage, which was received by a standing ovation.
The list of internationally-acclaimed artists presented by Paul Szilard is impressive, including such legendary stars as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Eric Bruhn, Patrick Dupond, Judith Jamison, John Taras, Violette Verdy, Donna Wood and many others.
His much-awaited autobiography, Under My Wings: My Life as an Impresario, was published in 2002.
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