Riedel's poop scoop on Chita's Show - GET MINNELLI!

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 8:53am

http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/61537.htm

"DICK Van Dyke gave Chita Rivera's struggling show a little lift at the box office the other week, so why not have a go with Liza?

The producers of "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" have asked Chita's onetime Broadway co-star to join the production.

Other than the stray show queen who has yet to see the show, I can't imagine Minnelli will lure that many people to "A Dancer's Life."

But these are desperate times.

Last week, the show lost more than $100,000 and is expected to lose even more this week.

Producer Marty Bell has received an additional $1 million in loans from investors to keep the show going, but the writing seems to be on the wall, and it says: C-L-O-S-E."


(So now, It transpires, another $1,000,000.00 has been shelled out by the investors - They BETTER get Minnelli for that kind of money since the gimmick of the Dancers in the Show with the show's logo stickers on their BVD's aren't going to be drawing any ticket sales (as we could see!) and the house is at 40% and moving faster than a policeman's lips giving corrupt evidence! By the way - Wasn't I the first who called the "Minnelli Move" as the last ditch effort? - Oh yes, AND - If Liza didn't see the show yet, How did they get that video on the show's web site where a stunned Liza keeps exclaiming "IT'S THE REAL THING!!"?? Maybe Rosie will come in as well to help boost sales too. Chita and Rosie can sing "Rosie" just like Dick Van Dyke did - that would be sweet!)

[Sluggy]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 11:48am

Other than the stray show queen who has yet to see the show, I can't imagine Minnelli will lure that many people to "A Dancer's Life."


He means audience members, not Liza herself.

[Bluewatergables]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:10pm

Liza was at the show during the Gypsy run through.along with Harvey, Bebee and Huey Lewis.

[songplugger]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:17pm

In other words: "Chita, baby, sorry you're not BIG enough of a star to get customers in to YOUR show. We need some REALLY IMPORTANT stars because you alone aint hacking it."


Updated On: 2/8/06 at 12:17 PM

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:30pm

Please, hold on Chita, We will be there March 15th!!!!!!!

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 3:23pm

I'm sure Liza's already on her way...

Milla

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 3:36pm

Songplugger, I said the exact same thing in another thread about Chita's show.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:01pm

Wow, Friedmen is a diva. I mean that in the best sense. A 3bedroom apt? 10,000 a week. wow. that's good money.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:05pm

That's pretty standard for someone of her reputation and level of name recognition in the US. Established American stage stars (Peters, Neuwirth, Lane & Broderick) make many times that.

[justme2]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:09pm

Is it standard for a traveling star to have their nanny paid for by the show? I can understand the need for an apartment and higher salaray, but nanny costs? That must be one of the "negotiated" bits, right?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:16pm

Yes, it was negotiated. Tonya Pinkins had a similar deal during CAROLINE. In exchange for a smaller salary up front (producers wanted to keep weekly running costs as low as possible for the financially tenuous show -- she received around $2000/week), the producers picked up the tab for an apartment for her and her kids, limo service and a few other amenities.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:19pm

OMG "Desperate" is all i can say. I would love to see Liza on Broadway, but not on this show. Liza Minnelli starred on Broadway in Victor Victoria and the show was sold out every night during Liza's run. She does sell tix, both Julie Andrews and Liza Minnelli are mainstream stars, unfortunatly Chita isn't. And if i were her i would never want to try to get Liza for a night or 2. The show is supposed to be about Chita, not about Liza or Dick or anyone else!

[justme2]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 4:24pm

Thanks for the info, MArgo. I wish it was as easy in other, more "boring" fields of work (such as mine) to negotiate such things!

[jv92]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 9:22pm

Well, if this is true, what song would they do from "The Rink?" I'd love to see "The Apple Doesn't Fall" done.