Legends

[+ Lucky]

Last night I was able to see the legendary Chita Rivera perform her life's review show on Broadway...she's still kicking at 73! Quite the experience to wax nostalgic over a Broadway that may never be again.

 

In the audience, and a couple of feet from me at intermission was another legend...Joan Rivers. We owe Joan a lot as she has always been a big gay supporter and a very funny woman. Up close she looks a little ummm, well, pretty! Yes, that's the word!

 

Finally, another legend was to me left. One of the great erection chasers of all time. Modesty keeps me from naming him, but to see him with Chita and Joan, why, he looked positively radiant!

 

He's a great theater companion too!

[Cooper]

The new Broadway show, "Chita Rivera, The Dancer's Life", is a great salute to this incredible women's life and her many years surviving on Broadway. As Lucky put it, she's "still kicking at 73" and looks marvelous.

 

I first recall seeing her in West Side Story playing the part of Anita. In this new play, she brings the audience to their feet when she sings and dances to "A Boy like that", the dance at the Gym, and "Somewhere". It brought back many fond memories.

 

And yes, the legendary Joan Rivers was having intermission drinks with Lucky and me. Imagine, two legends in one night.

 

The show is playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 45th and Broadway. Last night, good seats were available at TKTS.

[Guest alanm]

I'm glad Cooper's post cleared up Lucky's. I read Lucky's message four times and knew he left out something important.

 

I had not really thought about seeing Chita's show after rading the reviews. Now you got me interested. How does "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" compare to "Elaine Stritch At Liberty" or Lena Horne's one woman show?

 

Did Joan buy the drinks?

[OneFinger]

Wish I was able to see that show! But, you did cause me to remember some great Broadway legends that I've been able to see.

[ol]

I saw Carol Channing in her 1,999th performance of Dolly.

 

Experienced Zero Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Winter Gardens.

 

Saw John Cullum in his Tony Award performance as the father in Shenandoah.

 

I was electrified with Lena Horn in Pal Joey when she was touring in San Diego.

 

Nell Carter was beyond description in Ain't Misbehaving. (For a large woman she could sure dance!)

 

About two years ago I saw Leslie Uggams in Thoroughly Modern Millie. At that time she was 60 years old but looked (and performed) as someone who was 40.[/ol]

 

I regret that I'm not was half as talented as these people. But, they are some of my legends that I'll never forget.

 

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"We need to have more respect for each other. Things have just gone really crazy, out of control. ... We're on a very weird kind of cycle." Stevie Wonder

[Guest JohnPela]

>The new Broadway show, "Chita Rivera, The Dancer's Life", is

>a great salute to this incredible women's life and her many

>years surviving on Broadway. As Lucky put it, she's "still

>kicking at 73" and looks marvelous.

 

Chita Rivera was in the first Broadshow I ever saw- the original "Chicago" in Summer 1976 (my bicentential trip to NE USA and my only trip to Montreal to date). The shows other stars were the late Gwen Verden and Jerry Orbach. Wonderful cast. This first production of "Chicago" was a flop- it was too ahead of its time. It was considered too risque, controversial and theatregoers (especially out-of-towners) thought too implausible. I really enjoyed the musical but also thought it was very risque, controversial and implausible! Anyway ... Since then, post-OJ, its an everyday occurance.

[+ Lucky]

The night after this show I saw Sweeney Todd with Patty LuPone and Michale Cerveris. The production just sizzles. It's truly unique for a Broadway musical and the crowd was ecstatic. Quite different from Chita's show.

 

On Saturday night I saw The Little Dog Laughed, starring the kid from Roseanne who played the daughter's boyfriend. He played a male hustler dating a Tom Cruise type star. Even though his genitals were quite nice, he didn't come across as well cast for the role. The play was pretty much a dog...but I sat next to an actor whose character in a cable tv series really turned me off, so I didn't go see him when he played Broadway, and here he is, sitting right next to me!

 

On Sunday night, I had some finger licking to do...

[Guest JohnPela]

>The night after this show I saw Sweeney Todd with Patty

>LuPone and Michale Cerveris. The production just sizzles. It's

>truly unique for a Broadway musical and the crowd was

>ecstatic. Quite different from Chita's show.

>The play was pretty much a dog...but I

>sat next to an actor whose character in a cable tv series

>really turned me off, so I didn't go see him when he played

>Broadway, and here he is, sitting right next to me!

>

>On Sunday night, I had some finger licking to do...

 

Well, Lucky, Who was the actor? He was just sitting beside you, its not like your outing him or something? Was he from 6 Feet Under and was in Broadway in the Arthur Miller autobiographical inspired play about himself and Marilyn Monroe, "After the Fall"?

 

I may be coming to NYC the weekend after NewYears to see "Sweeney Todd" and BuffBoyzz party.

[+ Lucky]

Actually, he was in the play Dead End in LA, not Broadway. Yes, it was Jeremy Sisto and no, I am not outing him! It was just odd that this guy's character annoyed me so and then he sits next to me...

[Guest jstlooknthx]

Boy are you guys taking me back tonight. My broadway days were the late 70's and early 80's. I will never forget seeing one of the all time legends, Katherine Hepburn in a mediocre show called West Side Waltz. With Dorothy Loudon also. Lauren Bacall in Woman of the Year. Gilda Radner in her one woman show. Many more but those were the ones I'll never forget.

 

These days I run a restaurant in Hollywood that is frequented by quite a few well known actors and singers daily. But you guys have just reminded me of what it was like to be really 'starstruck'. I was a very young, VERY green actor at the time waiting backstage after these shows just to catch a glimpse. Perhaps even exchange a look or a word.

 

Ah well...those were the days. Wait a minute, so are these! I just turned a young 50. Time for the second half of my life to start.