For Chita Fans in NYC

FEINSTEIN'S at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue, NYC - 1-212-339-4095 - http://www.feinsteinsattheregency.com/ ) is proud to present the debut engagement of Tony Award winning Broadway legend Chita Rivera from February 22nd through March 12th. "And Now I Sing," her all-new show, is an intimate evening of song featuring works by Jerry Herman, Cy Coleman, Jacques Brel, Carol Hall, Jule Styne, and Kander & Ebb. She will be joined by a trio led by Musical Director Mark Hummel. The show will play the following schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 pm with late shows on Friday and Saturday at 11:00 pm. All shows have a $60 cover. There is a $40 minimum for early shows and a $30 minimum for late shows.

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No joke, Rathnait, and let me tell you, Feinstein’s is NOT a good dining experience. My Mom and I went to see Brian Stokes Mitchell last week (who was wonderful), and that place is a terrible rip-off to say the least. First of all, there are so many tables crammed in there that the wait staff and patrons literally cannot walk between the tables without bumping people’s chairs. I cannot believe that it does not violate the fire code. Secondly, because so many folks are squeezed in, the wait staff cannot pay good attention to anyone. The waiters were clearly working their butts off—they never stopped rushing back and forth from the kitchen—but that was just to get the menu items out. You could not get a waiter to stop if you just needed butter or a refill on coffee or water, for example. And to top it off, the food, which is incredibly expensive, is pretty bad. Remember when you had an awards banquet in high school at the Holiday Inn? That is the quality of the food—banquet food. Everything was both overcooked and dry and cold at the same time. None of this is to say that Chita won’t be wonderful, but just be prepared for a bad, overpriced meal with bad service. Michael Feinstein should absolutely be ashamed to have his name on a place that is managed so poorly. Just the pits.

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I am seeing her on Tues but u r right- it is a terrible premium. I expect to have a nosh b4 I go & just drink! I pay the same regardless of if i eat or no.

let me re-phrase that. some would consider a mime juggling balls in the air in the park quality entertainment, so it's all really a matter of opinion. what i meant to say was it's very expensive nowadays to go see performers we know and love in any venue whether it be the broadway stage or an intimate cabaret setting.

seems to me if you're not rich or if you haven't saved up enough money ahead of time you might as well count yourself out of going to any of these shows.

Betty at Cafe Carlyle...I basically had to take out a loan to see that.

A sign of my age: I can actually remember when $20 could get you a good seat.

Sad to hear about the downslide in food, service, and seating at Feinstein's. Last time I was there--which was, admittedly, a few years ago--Barbara Cook was performing, the tables were spread out, and the food and the service were very good. It seemed a far preferable experience to the ones I've had at Cafe Carlyle. In fact, I was trying to convince a couple of folks to go see Chita with me by telling them it would be a near-ideal experience and well worth the money, but, if the experience is now so trying, maybe it's not worth it.

"Me too, Rath. *feels old*"

Why? Because you remember something Rath remembers? :P

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No, I feel old because I am old.

Ok so can I buy a ticket to this? I will be in town for a few days in March and this sounds like a legendary evening (thanks Milla for your rave on ATC)...or do I just have to spend a lot on food?

edited-ok so now i realize, i buy a ticket AND spend a lot on food. gr.

Updated On: 2/23/05 at 11:26 PM

Making Theatre so cost prohibitive is one of the things that is ruining this country. If the common masses aren't exposed to quality entertainment at affordable prices - how will they ever become a cultured, well rounded civilization? It is appalling (sp?) to me that this country has become so damned greedy and uncaring.

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