(photo courtesy of The Wallis)

The Wallis Center for the Performing Arts (The Wallis) presents “Gene Kelly: The Legacy”, an evening with Patricia Ward Kelly, on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.

Kelly was a joyous performer, legendary dancer, director and choreographer who brought grace, athleticism and masculinity to the big screen. He continues to delight and captivate audiences, yet most people know little about him.

Patricia Ward Kelly, Gene Kelly’s widow and biographer, will present an intimate portrait of the artist who created some of the most memorable and iconic scenes in film history.

“The world knows Gene Kelly through his remarkable legacy as a musical, dance and choreographic genius, and as a wildly successful entertainer and filmmaker,” said Patricia Wolff, interim artistic director at The Wallis. “He was also a longtime resident of Beverly Hills, so all of us at The Wallis feel a kinship and are especially gratified and proud that Gene’s widow and biographer, Patricia Ward Kelly, will bring this inspirational evening to our audience.”

The presentation combines rare and familiar film clips, previously unreleased audio recordings, personal memorabilia and insights culled from hours of interviews and conversations with her husband.

Patricia Ward met Gene Kelly in 1985 in Washington, D.C., where she was the writer for a television special about The Smithsonian, for which he was the host and narrator. Soon after, Gene Kelly invited her to California to write his memoir. They fell in love, married and were together until his death in 1996.

Tickets start at $29. The Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. For information, call (310)746-4000, www.thewallis.org.