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Chita Rivera Had Carnegie Hall In The Palm of Her Hand

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Chita Rivera, Andy Karl
Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Last night Two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera’s Carnegie Hall debut, was filled with standing ovations, as one was struck with the exuberance of energy that passed through this icon of musical theatre. According to the shows producer Daniel Nardicio,  “I think it’s time to give the lady her due,” and the audience throughly agreed.

Chita Rivera, Andy Karl

Chita Rivera, Andy Karl

Holding court at 83, Ms. Rivera put 20-year-olds to shame, as she sang and danced with heart and soul. Sharing insight, Chita led us through her remarkable career that started on Broadway more than 60 years ago. For 90-minutes all of the show stopping numbers, as well as some song from other gerdra’s delighted those who were thrilled to see her. West Side Story, Birdie, Sweet Charity, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink and Chicago were all represented. With Andy Karl (Rocky and the soon to be seen Groundhog Day)  the Bye Bye Birdie segment featured “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” and the romantic ballad “Rosie.” Interesting a lot of the songs added were not songs from the show Ms. Rivera originally sang.

Chita Rivera, Alan Cumming

Chita Rivera, Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming joined Chita for the title song of the show “Nowadays” Chicago” and “The Apple Doesn’t Fall (Very Far from the Tree” from The Rink. Also from The Rink came “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer,” and  “All That Jazz,” from Chicago

Javier Munoz, the current star of Hamilton, brought a rap version of “America” to life and I wonder what composer Leonard Bernstein would have thought. Also from West Side Story we got “America,” “A Boy Like That” and a touching “Somewhere,”  lead by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus that brought tears and hope.

Complete with the yellow shoes Matthew Deming, Chris Newcomer and James Harms brought “I Would Never Leave You” back to life as Chita sang the haunting “Love and Love Alone” from The Visit.

From Sweet Charity “Where Am I Going?” and “Something Better Than This.” And there was a medley Kiss of the Spider Woman, including the title song.

The highlights were when Itzhak Perlman exquisitely played as Chita took flight in Jacques Brel’s “Carousel.” The stage was transformed with lights, sound as along with Chita’s body combined to make a whirling carnival ride.

Chita Rivera, Steven Van Zandt

Chita Rivera, Steven Van Zandt

James Taylor’s “Secret of Life” took on a rock beat with Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Steven Van Zandt. In working with Van Zandt she also got to work with a “Soprano’s,” which Chita confessed was one of her loves.

Though the show was exciting it was like watching a  nightclub act at Feinstein’s/ 54 Below, Birdland, Cafe Carlyle or her Broadway show A Dancer’s Life with music director Michael Croiter leading a 15-piece band.

 

Chita Rivera is happiness personified and the joy she feels in performing takes you out your troubles to a place of  joie de vie. She is generous and connects to her audience and we left knowing that the night was a special evening few have a chance to experience.

CHITA: NOWADAYS

CHITA: NOWADAYS

Chita: Nowadays: Carnegie Hall one night only November 7th.

Suzanna, co-owns and publishes the newspaper Times Square Chronicles or T2C. At one point a working actress, she has performed in numerous productions in film, TV, cabaret, opera and theatre. She has performed at The New Orleans Jazz festival, The United Nations and Carnegie Hall. She has a screenplay and a TV show in the works, which she developed with her mentor and friend the late Arthur Herzog. She is a proud member of the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle and was a nominator. Email: suzanna@t2conline.com

Dance

Wanna Be A Rockette? Open Auditions Are Here!

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Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Rockettes are having an open call audition for the 2023 Christmas Spectacular on Thursday, April 20 at Radio City Music Hall, with callbacks on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22, 2023. Audition for male identifying auditions will be held April 26th.

You have to be proficient in jazz, tap and ballet. You must be between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10 1/2  inches tall and You must be at least 18 years of age.

The Radio City Rockettes are a world-renowned dance company known for their athleticism and iconic precision style combining elements of ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as techniques of modern and contemporary dance. In addition to the Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes perform annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting, and have appeared on some of the biggest events in entertainment, including the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NYC Pride Parade, and “Saturday Night Live.” Most recently, the Rockettes were featured in the Hallmark movie “A Holiday Spectacular” and performed with Mariah Carey in her holiday special filmed at Madison Square Garden, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!”

As a Rockette, dancers have access to excellent benefits, including year-round health insurance, a competitive 401K, and a tuition assistance program for accredited and approved courses, as well as a reimbursement plan for many voice, dance, technique, wellness, and fitness classes.

Audition registration for the Radio City Rockettes, ensemble and more is officially open for the 2023 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes presented by QVC. Audition to be a part of New York City’s favorite holiday tradition and you can register today. Click Here.

Dancers auditioning for the Radio City Rockettes will also be considered for Rockettes Conservatory, the dance company’s invite-only, week-long training intensive, which serves as the main talent pipeline for the line.

Female Identifying Dancers*, Voice Ensemble and Principal Roles will be cast through invited agent calls only – there will be no open call audition for these roles.

*Includes gender expansive identities (trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender queer.)

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Art

Events In April Bring Easter, Spring and Flowers Galore.

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Photograph: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.

Join the Judy Garland and Fred Astaire tradition with the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue. There is also the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden or right at home the flower show at Macy’s. On select Fridays every month, you can enjoy Free Admission to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Until 4/9: Macy’s Flower ShowThe show includes beautiful, bright floral arrangements, special events including live music, and kids’ activities.

until 4/23: This is The Orchid Show‘s 20th year. Reconnect with nature while experiencing the picture-perfect beauty of the orchids. On select nights, adults can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase.

4/1-30: Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival, hosted by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, celebrates Japanese culture and the arrival of spring. It features a variety of cultural performances and activities, as well as a small flea market, tea ceremonies, and crafts. The highlight is the magnificent display of cherry blossom trees, with over 200 trees in full bloom. Visitors can admire the pink and white blooms and enjoy a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Tickets are usually around $40 for adults, though seniors and students get a reduced rate of $35.

4/7-16th: The New York International Auto ShowThe first new york Auto Show took place in 1900, for over 120 years now they have been sharing what’s new and interesting in the auto industry.

4/9: The Easter Parade starts near St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10am. The tradition dates back to the 1870s, where elaborate bonnets and fashion galore is full frontal.

4/9: “Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time,” comes to MoMA.

4/15: The Tartan Day Parade is an NYC tradition that offers attendees a unique way to celebrate and honor Scottish culture. For the 25th year, there will be bagpipes, dancers, and even Scottish dogs marching in the parade. Attendance is free and open to the public. In addition to the parade, expect a whole week of Scottish-themed events and festivities.

4/15: Pillow Fight in the Park at Washington Square Park.

4/15: The New York Restoration Project is giving out 3,500 free trees to New Yorkers across all five boroughs. To get one of the 3,500 free trees that will be given away, register in advance on this website, where you’ll also get to browse through the current list of distribution dates, times and locations.

4/15 and 29: f the likes of udon, yakitori, ramen, and taiyaki make your mouth water, then mark your calendar for Japan Fes in Chelsea. The event will be held from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is considered a paradise for Japanese foodies and cultural enthusiasts.

4/16: Holi in The City demands food, music, dance, and fun while embracing people and organizations from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

4/22: Earth Day celebrated in NYC with a festive, family-friendly outdoor fair in Union Square. There will be dozens of exhibitors, interactive displays, a green-vehicle show, family activities, music, and entertainment. 12-6pm.

4/27: Attend The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience

4/27- 30: Antiquarian Book Fair now in its 63rd year, this festival for book collectors at Park Avenue Armory for a full weekend of first editions, maps, manuscripts and other treasures from literary epochs past from nearly 200 exhibitors.

 

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Broadway

Broadway Up Close (R) Gives Dance Workshops In Times Square

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A fun way to get active, learn and have fun: InterContinental New York Times Square has partnered with Broadway Up Close to provide monthly dance workshops. The new series offers the opportunity to learn choreography with current Broadway professionals, and to join them in conversation about their Broadway careers.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023 join Broadway Performer Sarah Meahl (Bad Cinderella, Hello, Dolly!, Kiss Me, Kate) and on Sunday, May 13, 2023 – Broadway Performer Thayne Jasperson (Hamilton, Newsies, Matilda).

All classes are scheduled from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and include 60 minutes of dance class and 30 minutes to learn and connect.

Following the class, an à la carte lunch menu is provided at The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen for an additional cost; perfect timing for a matinee performance.

Tickets are $36.25 and you can tickets here.

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