Abbott, Merriel (c. 1893–1977)

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Abbott, Merriel (c. 1893–1977)

American dance director. Born c. 1893, in Chicago, Illinois; died Nov 6, 1977, in Chicago.

Served as teaching assistant to Andreas Pavley and Serge Oukrainsky in Chicago, IL; staged precision acts for Paramount-Publix circuit, based in Chicago; worked as director of entertainment and staff choreographer for The Palmer House in Chicago (starting 1933), later expanding service to entire chain of Hilton hotels; toured internationally with Merriell Abbott Girls (1930s–40s), an acrobatic precision team incorporating somersaults, splits, handstands and more. Merriel Abbott Dancers also appeared in Jack Benny films, Man About Town (1939) and Buck Benny Rides Again (1940).

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Abbott, Merriel (c. 1893–1977)

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