Photo Coverage: Opening Night for Dick Van Dyke in Chita Rivera's 'The Dancer's Life'

It was an incredible evening. The show was a sellout, standing-room only. There were people outside trying to buy tickets. Miss Rivera got a huge ovation upon her first entrance. She was nothing short of spectacular. What an amazing woman. She still has it all. Thirty years after I first saw her in Chicago, she can still light up a stage. When she sings 'A Boy Like That', nearly 50 years melt away and it's 1957 again.

Mr Van Dyke joins her for the Bye Bye Birdie segment. She is standing stage right, talking about how at a recent benefit he sang 'Put on a Happy Face' to her for the 608th time (two untrue statements, only one of which she would later clarify)and he enters, unnanounced, (and still looking dashing in black tie) stage left. Of course the theatre exploded into wild applause. After 'Put on a Happy Face' they did a song-and-dance to 'Rosie' which garnered a standing ovation, which they followed by a short, obviously-prepared (but supposedly spontaneous) encore. It is apparent that there is a great deal of affection and love between them, and the old magic is still there. Then Mr Van Dyke was gone for the rest of the performance, allowing us once again to savor the many talents of Chita Rivera. (It would've been nice to have them pull up a couple of stools and reminisce about the show, Gower Champion, Kay Medford, or whatever, but after all it is HER show).

I don't know what all the carping and sniping was all about concerning the book. I found the show to be fascinating and compelling. And there are simply not enough superlatives to describe the amazing Chita Rivera. I did think it was odd that there were almost as many omissions to the list of her co-stars and collaborators (Lilo, Gower Champion, Jerry Orbach, Doug Henning) and there were those she talked about (Gwen Verdon, Elaine Stritch, Liza Minnelli).

At the curtain call, each dancer got a solo bow (nice touch and richly deserved) and Miss Rivera got a thunderous standing ovation. She graciously brought Mr Van Dyke out for another bow and then, since it was her birthday, they wheeled out a cake and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'. As yet another added bonus, Lee Adams and Charles Strouse came on to wish her well, and she stepped forward to introduce them to the audience. Other than that, there were no speeches.

At the stage door, Mr Van Dyke did no more than wave to the crowd before getting into his car. Miss Rivera came out later and spent quite a long time (in the freezing weather) greeting well-wishers, posing for pictures, signing autographs, and acting as if she were the hostess at a very glamorous cocktail party and we were all her guests. What a class act she is!

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Updated On: 1/25/06 at 02:41 AM

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Updated On: 1/25/06 at 02:46 AM

It was pure magic. It is one of those theatre moments you will never forget.

I totally agree with the posting. It was a great night. I was sitting in the mezz, and these older women behind me during intermission were talking about DVD being pathetic on stage. I couldnt believe it. He was wonderful. He can still sing and dance. I would like to those women behind me do that at 80! They really needed help to their seats!

I too waited for autographs, but didnt get DVD. I think was a little confused. He went out the wrong door so the doormen pushed him back in, and made him come out the "real" stage door.
and they sorta moved him quickly to the limo. Chita signed everything. What a Theatrical Treasure.

Deidre Goodwin is soooooooooooooooooo HOT! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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This is so sad.

Tootie 'The Most Horrible' Smith
St. Louis, Missouri

DVD was in the audience on Sunday - nice guy! Was signing autographs during intermission, and did a quick little dance before he sat in his seat just before the second act began as the music started. He still has it!