Charlotte hospital CEO arranges ballet for his wife

Carolinas HealthCare System CEO Michael Tarwater is well known in North Carolina for running one of the largest hospital and healthcare systems in the country.

But recently, we came across an article in The Chautauquan Daily that reveals a side of Tarwater you don't often see.

Tarwater

The July 24 article in the official newspaper of the Chautauqua Institution in New York was headlined "Evening of Pas De Deux: Couple makes trip to Chautauqua to fall in love all over again."

It's about Tarwater's idea to surprise his wife of 27 years, Ann, with a ballet, reliving the first time they met.

The ballet, "At First Sight," was first performed in February in Charlotte by the North Carolina Dance Theater as part of a fundraising gala at the Knight Theater. It was followed by a dance competition featuring local business leaders. The winner was Tarwater and his dance partner from Metropolitan Ballroom.

According to The Chautauquan Daily, Tarwater had approached Sasha Janes, NCDT associate artistic director, in 2012 about creating a surprise for his wife's birthday. The two met secretly for about six months as Janes choreographed the piece based on Tarwater's story. "He added music and dance and made it come to life again," Tarwater told the newspaper.

The newspaper said "At First Sight" was to be performed by NCDT dancers Sarah Hayes Watson and David Morse on the Amp stage at Chautauqua in late July, and the Tarwaters were expected to attend.