Limon, Jose, << lee MAWN, hoh SAY >> (1908-1972), was an American dancer and choreographer (dance creator). Although he did not begin dancing until he was in his 20’s, he achieved remarkable technical skill. Many of his ballets are based on literature. These include The Moor’s Pavane (1949), a ballet of Shakespeare’s Othello. Limon based several ballets on the Bible. The Traitor (1954) deals with Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Christ. There Is a Time (1956) is based on the Book of Ecclesiastes.
Limon was born on Jan. 12, 1908, in Culiacan, Mexico, and was brought to the United States when he was 7. He performed with the Humphrey-Weidman company from 1930 to 1940. He formed his own group in the late 1940’s. Doris Humphrey, the group’s artistic director, created many dance roles for him. Limon died on Dec. 2, 1972.
