"Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" to be considered a Musical by the Tonys — Page 3

There wasn't a separate announcement about her eligibility in the Best Actress category, but up till now in Tony history, anyone performing in a show deemed eligible for Best Musical has been considered eligible in the acting categories. But, hey who knows this year? If Latinologues is supposed to be a play, then I have NO IDEA what the whims of this particular committee might be.

And it's too bad, really. Had they kept Chita in the Special Event category -- along with Sarah Jones, Jay Johnston, and Latinologues (had it also been properly categorized) -- she'd almost be guaranteed her third Tony and had a chance to make a nice moving speech at the ceremony in June. Now her show has to somehow compete for Best Musical (with no chance of winning -- aside from everything else, it'll likely be closed by June so many voters won't have had a chance to see it) and she's gotta go up against Lupone, LaChanze, Friedman et al for Best Actress. And while she's certainly a very popular figure, many voters are going to be hesistant to give her a Tony for, as you point out, playing herself. She already has two, after all. I'm sorry, but I think this was a dumb decision by the Tony committee that may end up screwing over one of the great legends in Broadway history.

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But I think the difference between CHITA and FOSSE, at least in terms of one being a "Special Theatrical Event" while the other is a "Musical," is the fact that CHITA cannot be done without Chita herself. That's the "Special" part. Would anyone want to go see it if it were, say, Karen Ziemba in CHITA RIVERA: THE DANCER'S LIFE?

I just don't get how this is anymore a musical than ELAINE STRITCH: AT LIBERTY.

It's very obvious that many of you have not actually seen the eligible shows you're making judgments about. RentBoy86, in your list of shows likely for the Best Musical nomination, you listed The Color Purple, The Woman in White, The Wedding Singer (which hasn't even opened yet), and noted that there was one slot left. You clearly haven't seen Jersey Boys (or any of the others for that matter), as you left it out. Jersey Boys not only is guaranteed a nomination for Best Musical, but it is the likely winner.

This decision really is a shame, for many reasons. Because Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life will be considered for Best Musical--and it is already obviously not even close to the level of any winning Best Musical, ever--and because Chita Rivera is now eligible for Best Leading Actress, if the show does happen to get nominated for or win any of these awards, this will be a year where politics are the most evident in the decision making process. Politics and legendary status aside, Chita Rivera's performance (if you can even call it that) in The Dancer's Life OBVIOUSLY isn't THE Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role this season. We already have 3 locks for this category: Patti LuPone, LaChanze, and Maria Friedman. At least three shows that have yet to open star actresses that could all be likely for nominations in this category, those performers being Kelli O'Hara, Laura Benanti, and Cyndi Lauper. If Chita takes away any of these nominations, it is going to be CLEAR that it is a decision based on her legendary status and NOT on the level of her performance in The Dancer's Life.

I have seen every eligible show and performance that has opened as of yet this season. If you haven't seen every performance, your judgments in this thread are based only on reviews and politics. Yes, Patti LuPone is Patti LuPone. Chita Rivera is Chita Rivera. We all get that. But if shows and performers are to be judged based on the performances for which they are eligible, and not on who the performers are, then for Chita Rivera to take even a Tony nomination (let alone a win) away from a deserving up-and-coming performer, would not only defy her legendary status, as she would be clearly standing in the way of people who are working and thriving to succeed as she has (and in effect acheiving legendary status), but it will be a real shame.

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Updated On: 1/27/06 at 08:11 AM

Heh. I was about to jump on that Jersey Boys bandwagon myself. Jukebox musicals have a pretty low track record of Tony nominations, but since Jersey Boys seems to have broken that curse to a degree, I will absolutely fall out of my chair if it isn't at LEAST nominated. I honestly don't know if Chita's show automatically gets a best musical nod, though. If it'll displace anyone, I'd think "Woman in White" or "Color Purple" should watch out.

Although this is still all VAST speculation since Tarzan isn't open yet and who even knows the fate of Drowsy Chaperone at this point...

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Well I guess I'll be the only one happy for Chita and the show. I think it will actually work in the shows favor.

It's also quite possible that she could end up being shut out of the nominations if the field is already as crowded with nomination worthy shows and performances as we think it is.

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Wait -- so does this open the door for "The Blonde in the Thunderbird" to score a best theatrical event nod?

Is there a certain amount of time a show has to run in order to be eligible? Hers barely lasted a week.

Plenty of actresses have been nominated (some have won) for revues with NO plot. All they do is sing and dance and charm an audience, and they have been nominated.

Chita does a lot more. This show is so much more than a revue, or a one woman show.
Chita takes you through the story of her life, she goes in and out of characters portraying important people from her life. Not to mention she sings and dances her butt off, and never fails to charm an audience.

I see no reason why Chita shouldn't be nominated.

I think it's such a smart thing that it's going to be considered for all the major awards. If the producers plan on keeping it open during Tony time, and it wins some awards. The success of the show wil sky rocket. See how smart that is? This is what the producers want. I think the show is a lock for Best Choreography. That's practically in the bag.

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 01:15 PM

I never called this is a revue. I am saying actresses from revues have been nominated and they didn't even really have a character.

I'm using a revue as an example.

ALL the actresses this season will have other chances at a Tony. This may be Chita's last. She was overlooked for SO many Tonys.. (Birdie, Chicago, etc.) Chita wasn't always a Tony favorite.

No, I was just asking if you called this a revue, or if the Tony committee was justifying their answer by calling it a revue.

Just because Chita has been often overlooked doesn't mean she deserves is anymore than anyone else...

Hell, the same things could be said of Patti - she's won ONE Tony for all her years - with only two OTHER nominations (three in total).

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Well, obviously you have a bit of a bias, no?

I think the reason Patti will be around longer is that she isn't known as a dancer...

Patti can be old and gray and still sing.

But anyway, I don't think it's fair (heh, fair...)to give a Tony to someone because it may be their last chance.

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