George Tomal; Dancer, Director, Choreographer

One of New Jersey Ballet’s founding directors, George Tomal, passed away on February 11 after a long illness. He was 83. The son of George and Anna Zarny, Mr. Tomal was born and grew up in Chicago and lived most of his life in New York and New Jersey. As a young man, he danced solo and principal roles with American Ballet Theatre, Roland Petit’s Ballet and Igor Schwezoff’s Ballet Concerts Company. In December 1958, he and Carolyn Clark launched New Jersey Ballet Company with performances at Arts High School in Newark. Tomal also danced on television on such Golden Age shows as Omnibus, The Ed Sullivan Show, and Firestone Theater. He left New Jersey in 1961 to direct the Denver Ballet Arts Center with former ABT dancer Larry Boyette and returned to New Jersey in 1967. Tomal retired from the stage in 1969 and went on to choreograph more than 100 dance works, including 16 productions for New Jersey State Opera among them Dance of the Hours, Triumphal Ballet from Aida, and The Bacchanal from Samson and Delilah. Among the dozens of ballets he created for New Jersey Ballet are Poco Adagio, Carmina Burana, Winterset and Carmen. He also created much of New Jersey Ballet’s popular repertory for young people including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Coppelia, and Hansel and Gretel. His most enduring legacy is New Jersey Ballet’s production of Nutcracker, which has delighted nearly a million people in the 37 holiday seasons since its premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in 1971 with New York City Ballet star Edward Villella as the Cavalier. Tomal created the Act I Snow Scene and the entire Act II, and appeared in the role of Drosselmeyer for more than 25 years. He remained active and continued to attend rehearsals and coach New Jersey Ballet Company until a few months before his death.

Mr. Tomal taught ballet to generations of children at New Jersey School of Ballet, the official school of New Jersey Ballet Company. He leaves a brother, Carl, sister-in-law Rose and niece Ann Marie, all of whom live in the Chicago area. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Jersey Ballet, 15 Microlab Road, Livingston 07039.

A guest book for friends and colleagues will be available during visiting hours (no viewing) 2:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, February 15, at Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Avenue, South Orange. Interment will be private.

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