#1
Posted: 3/9/08 at 11:42am
Set your alarms and tune in to Disney Channel's "Johnny and the Sprites" March 15 (7:30 AM ET), and see Broadway royalty — the indefatigable, two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera — playing the Queen of All Magical Beings.
How did the gig come about? "I just got a call. I'm a great fan of Johnny's [Avenue Q Tony nominee John Tartaglia], so I said 'absolutely!' I've got a grandniece, you know. Everything worked out perfectly.
"Have you ever been on that set? If things get rough and tough, and you hate everybody, go to that set. They are the most talented, gifted, magical people. They've built a beautiful world. It makes you smile; it cleans you out."
Daryl Watson wrote the episode, "Johnny's Not Invited," directed by Richard A. Fernandes. The sprites (Ginger, Basil, Lily, and Root) are excited because "a special visitor" is due to arrive "to throw a royal party."
Enter Chita: "Welcome everyone. It is I, the queen of all the sprites, and fuzzies, and other magical beings." Since she doesn't mention humans, the sprites believe that Johnny ("the greatest human in the whole world") can't attend — and they're afraid to question Her Majesty. (The morale: "You should never be afraid to ask questions," advises Tartaglia. "After all, that's how you learn.")
Rivera sings ("Welcome to Grotto's Grove"), very briefly trips the light fantastic, and spouts a little "sprite" jargon. "When I left, one of the girls gave me a tiny, beautiful queen, made from bits of material from the dress and crown. It went on my Christmas tree. It's not really an ornament, but her thoughtfulness was lovely."
Chita
How did the gig come about? "I just got a call. I'm a great fan of Johnny's [Avenue Q Tony nominee John Tartaglia], so I said 'absolutely!' I've got a grandniece, you know. Everything worked out perfectly.
"Have you ever been on that set? If things get rough and tough, and you hate everybody, go to that set. They are the most talented, gifted, magical people. They've built a beautiful world. It makes you smile; it cleans you out."
Daryl Watson wrote the episode, "Johnny's Not Invited," directed by Richard A. Fernandes. The sprites (Ginger, Basil, Lily, and Root) are excited because "a special visitor" is due to arrive "to throw a royal party."
Enter Chita: "Welcome everyone. It is I, the queen of all the sprites, and fuzzies, and other magical beings." Since she doesn't mention humans, the sprites believe that Johnny ("the greatest human in the whole world") can't attend — and they're afraid to question Her Majesty. (The morale: "You should never be afraid to ask questions," advises Tartaglia. "After all, that's how you learn.")
Rivera sings ("Welcome to Grotto's Grove"), very briefly trips the light fantastic, and spouts a little "sprite" jargon. "When I left, one of the girls gave me a tiny, beautiful queen, made from bits of material from the dress and crown. It went on my Christmas tree. It's not really an ornament, but her thoughtfulness was lovely."
Chita
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
