Chita Rivera dead at 91

Was she pals with that BEEATCH

Rita Moreno?

She must have had nice stuff.

Awww I dreaded this day. Thanks for titling this appropriately for our Chita, OP.

Seth Rudetsky is beside himself as he can no longer drop her name.

Someone check on Liza.

Sadly, I think that fall she recently took onstage was the beginning of the end.

Great talent and as wonderful a lady as you'd ever meet.

This thread is not appropriately titled, she is not dead she is DEAD TO ME.

She always seemed humble in spite of her enormous talent and longevity. Rest easy.

Is that a recent pic? She looked great for someone that old.

Es muerta para nosotros!

Suicide? Drugs? Bathtub?

Sooner or later you're certain to meet

In the bedroom, the parlor

Or even the street

There's no place on earth

You're likely to miss...

Her kiss.

Skiing accident, R11.

Someone needs to do something about those oil rig fires in the Gulf of Mexico killing our elderly celebrities!

Is she the one who opened Al Capone’s vault on live TV?

Her son, Geraldo, must be devastated!

Amazing talent. RIP!

Definitely won't be featured in the "In memoriam " at the Oscars.

Her older "Bye Bye Birdie" co-star Dick Van Dyke outlived her.

Poor Chita

It was the jab, R11.

Can I have her stuff?

It’s sad that all the legends are gone

Angela Lansbury

Chita Rivera

Barbara Cook

Elaine Stritch

Carol Channing

Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett are all that’s left of that group

I hope she will be remembered for The Bellero Shield.

Saw her perform twice and she was a real killer-diller. First, in the "Chicago" touring company with Gwen Verdon. Second in a "Can-Can" revival that did not make it to Broadway. She had recovered from that taxi accident that broke her left leg in 18 places. I gasped when she hit the floor in a can-can split. Intrepid performer. RIP

Variety obit

NYTimes

I'd like to think Chita and Gwen are doing the Hot Honey Rag in heaven right now. RIP Legend.

I'm still here, R23!

The Oscars will mention her for this. Hard to believe it's only Shirley left in that photo now.

Another vaccine death!

She liked the island Manhattan.

Smoke on your pipe

And put that in!

Awwww she was a trooper.

r23- don't forget Liza.

Fuck you, r23.

I was just watching old Tony Award clips last night and watched her win for "Kiss of the Spider Woman". That was 1993 the year the awards opened with Liza singing a new song, "Celebrate Broadway". My late husband added a lyric to the song and every Tony Sunday from then until his death in 2022 he would wake me up singing, "Celebrate Broadway - Dance Your Ass Off".

And the moon grows dimmer...

She was an absolute force of nature on the stage, and never failed to give a great performance.

She was an absolute legend and the kindest lady. I interviewed her for a documentary a few years ago (she would have been 87 at the time) and we were shooting on the 4th floor of a soundstage building in Manhattan (so figure double staircases for each floor because of the high ceilings). The elevators broke down 10 min before she arrived. We all freaked out, wondering what we were going to do, should we cancel, should we offer to carry her up, would that humiliate her, etc. She arrived, took the news in stride and sprinted up the stairs like it was nothing, leaving all of us in her wake. I'm so happy I got to see her perform a number of times and got to meet and work with her, however briefly.

I knew this would happen someday.

NY Times Obit. This is hard.

I don’t know her

Sad I will miss her running from me at the stage doors.

[quote] Suicide? Drugs? Bathtub?

No, Rita Moreno, who never measured up to her.

She was the world's first Anita!

Let's have a bit of levity...

In the NYTimes obituary at r27, there's a photo of her posing with her trophy the night of the 1993 Tonys with the other winners that night: Ron Leibman, Madeline Kahn, and Brent Carver. She was the oldest then, but she outlived all of them.

Liza likes Chita but not Rita!

I only got to see her live once -- the national tour of Kiss of the Spiderwoman when I was in middle school. She was electrifying. I'm jealous of those who saw her in the original Chicago and, especially of those who saw her in West Side Story. I wish there were footage of her original performance. Her dancing must have been incredible.

Rita didn't go first.

We've been Chita'd.

Now I can do the movie vershion of The Vishit.

91? She was just a baby!

She and Liza hated each other during their run in The Rink.

R35 divorce is not death, especially if it’s a redneck hillbilly

She was able to blow out 91 candles on her birthday cake on January 23 ! The she said, "I've had it..."

A true goddess. RIP.

I have to turn in my gay card. I just learned that Angela Lansbury died two years ago.

Ooof, R55. That *IS* bad. I feel like Angie's passing was everywhere.

I'm crying. Just a great dame, and one of few dancers who seemed born to dance Fosse.

I had a teacher who died of AIDS a couple years after I was in one of classes at high school, and I busted him playing that video during his free period, R57. A bittersweet memory.

R58 I don't blame him. It's a great video. Fosse's take on Jerome Robbins' America rooftop number.

She was the first Anita in the original 1957 Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY but the only one not to be nominated for anything:

1961 film -- Rita Moreno won Supporting Actress Oscar

1980 revival -- Debbie Allen was nominated for Featured Actress in a Musical Tony

2009 revival -- Karen Olivo won Featured Actress in a Musical Tony

2021 film -- Ariana DeBose won Supporting Actress Oscar

It doesn't seem right.

Has Carol Lawrence commented?

R23 every one of those ladies was still alive ten years ago.

Makes you wonder who will still be around ten years from now.

God willing, Julie Andrews will be 98 and Carol Burnett 100.

R61 it's nice that Chita, Carol and Larry Kert remained close.

Who won the Tony that Rivera did not win for "West Side Story"?

When was her last performing appearance?

She came a long way from Tarzan’s simian companion in the ‘30s. Who was this Rivera whom she presumably married? One thing is for certain, she never looked back!

Did cheating on Geraldo’s father cause their breakup? Is Geraldo still mad at her??

[quote]Who won the Tony that Rivera did not win for "West Side Story"?

Barbara Cook won for Featured Actress in a Musical that year for her performance in "The Music Man." Chita wasn't even nominated, as was mentioned previously.

RIP Chits.

Carol Lawrence (who played 'Maria' in WSS) was also nominated for Featured Actress.

So weird. Two obviously leading roles duking out for the win in the featured category.

Oooo. What a burn!🔥

They better dim those damn lights for Ms. Chita Rivera!

My understanding is that in the early Tony years, if someone was placed in the Leading or Featured category was still primarily determined by whether or not they were billed above the title or not. The size of the role didn't really matter.

That's still the official rule, but there is a lot more (successful) petitioning these days to move people into the more appropriate category based on the size of the role.

And now Hinton Battle has joined her for a pas de deux.

I met her once at a Miss Richfield 1981 performance at Ars Nova perhaps 15 or so years ago. Ms. Rivera was charming and delightful. The audience of 100 or so was nearly all gay men, and we were giddy with excitement to see Chita in person. She reveled in it and was seemed to happy to be with us.

Jeez, even in Chita's death people are still talking about Rita.

Was Chita still in “Chicago” when Liza subbed for Gwen Vernon? Did they hate each other then?

Dammit, Vernon. Damn autocorrect.

[quote] She came a long way from Tarzan’s simian companion in the ‘30s.

She had such a storied career. She also gave so much trouble to Wonder Woman as her arch-foe.

[quote] Dammit, Vernon.

DAMMIT, JULIE!

DAMMIT, BARBARA!

Yes Chita was Velma when Liza did Roxie. She said that Liza already was having problems. What really put them on the outs was when Chita found out that Liza was fucking Lisa. I mean, Chits, it took two to tango.

Has Lenora Nemetz commented?

Mo Rocca claims here that Chita and Rita actually performed the Forbidden Broadway number together at the Kennedy Center. I feel like if that happened, I would know about it.

Anyone know if that happened? And if so, when?

Gee R39, you must be psychic or something.

R32 - and all these years I have been singing I like the isle of Manhattan... Who knew.

Was Mo thinking of this?

R86 I don't think so. Watch it. He's specific about the Kennedy Center. I knew about that dreadful, underrehearsed Hollywwod Bowl thing.

Rita speaks:

She honored Rivera in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, saying, "Chita Rivera is eternal. I remember seeing her for the first time in Mr. Wonderful and exclaiming, 'Oh my God, who is that?' When I found out that this astonishing creature was one of my people, I crowed with pride."

"Over the years, we were sometimes mistaken for each other, which I always viewed as a badge of honor," adds Moreno. "She was the essence of Broadway. As I write this, I am raising a glass to this remarkable woman and friend. Chita, amiga, Salud!"

She was the last remaining of the cast of The Bellero Shield.

R88 Classy. Love it.

"Over the years, we were sometimes mistaken for each other..."

But I was prettier.

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley are hosting a tribute to Chita tonight at 8pm.

It’ll be a four-hanky celebration of her life.

Rita is actually older than Chita. I just looked it up.

But sadly, Chita looked at least a decade older than Rita.

A life in Photos

Oh shits, not Chits.

In her book, Carol Lawrence said, "Chita was like the sister I always wanted, and we became very good friends. Chita and I could tell almost viscerally what was going on in each other's mind." Carol and Chita were born few months apart.

CZJ: "There are no words to tell you what an incredible impact you have had on my life," wrote Zeta-Jones, 54. "From dreaming of being you as a little girl, then meeting you and then being deeply connected to you by playing the one and only Velma Kelly in Chicago. There will never, ever, be anyone like you Chita, ever. Dim the lights on Broadway! Or, may I suggest, we just [pull] the plug. I love you Chita, sleep tight my Queen."

Debbie Allen: "My Mentor, My Friend, Our Goddess of Inspiration and Joy - Thank You. Every moment of your life has been a treasure of what is possible. I will miss touching you, but I will forever hear your laughter and hold that baton of power you tossed my way."

Has anybody read her memoir?

Got to meet her at The Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS Annual Flea Market. I was telling her I had something that has been sitting in a closet and it's only half done. I pull out my "The Rink" window card that was signed by Liza and the smiley face she adds. All the other celebs ohhh and ahhed I and I say, "nope it's like a half finished Picasso and you have to finish it for me". With a huge smile she says "With Pleasure!" and she did. RIP Miss R.

Debbie Allen has a baton of power?

Poor Chita.

Chita Rivera on Love, Showbiz and All That Jazz

Never knew her real name was Geraldine Rivers

R100 Yes, it was interesting if a bit defanged. I can't remember much of it though.

Gerry!

Chita Rivera was the Queen of Atlantis... cruise ships. That's where I saw her. She was dazzling and I didn't know she had done all the numbers in her act of Broadway hits.

*

For her contribution to cultural endeavors, she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

I love your post r108

I had the opportunity to buy a pair of her shoes at a charity auction once…and I didn’t. I think they sold for $15. Sorry, Chita, you and your shoes deserved so much more.

Were they dancing shoes?

Susan Dey is inconsolable. All she can say is, "Oh Rita...No, No, Chita!"

Another more coherent statement is forthcoming.

"She did That Thing!"

Always adored Chita. She gave us so much.🎶

And Ariana DeBose still walks among us.

^ Were they cha cha shoes?

Chita and her mother in 1981.

Judy wanted to wring her neck...

Joey liked that number R120.

Chita…don’t get discouraged…

The man, he ain’t so bad, after all…

Married Tony Mordente, a "West Side Story" dancer. Was he straight?

R120 that’s not the Judy Garland Show…

[quote] Debbie Allen: "My Mentor, My Friend, Our Goddess of Inspiration and Joy - Thank You. Every moment of your life has been a treasure of what is possible.[bold] I will miss touching you,[/bold] but I will forever hear your laughter and hold that baton of power you tossed my way."

Touched by a Debbie Allen

I saw CHICAGO twice when Liza went into it. Loved Gwen (who I'd also seen twice) but Liza was sensational in her own way. And, of course, Chita was out of this world......just the opening alone coming up on that huge drum.

But when Liza went into the show, and this was at the height of her stardom. they made "I Am My Own Best Friend" into a solo for her instead of the usual Roxie/Velma duo. That was pretty shocking.

C&L

[quote]This thread is not appropriately titled, she is not dead she is DEAD TO ME.

Shut up.

Poor Chits had to work with Lizsha twice

So lucky to have seen her so many times over the years, starting with Bye Bye Birdie. When I saw her in The RInk, I remarked that Liza made it look hard, and Chita made it look easy. That was true brilliance. So long, Chits!

I think I love you.

Yet he still walks among us.

So is it fair to say Chita is the "Michael Jackson" to Hinton Battle's "Farrah" today ?

I think Chita would be offended by that, r133.

r60- you left out a revival. The one right before COVID. I do not know her name and I do not believe she was even nominated.

Here they are.

r133- I already posted that somewhere.

Not fair to include the Anita from the Ivo revival as she did not do the same Robbins choreography as the others. Most of the others even wore the same Sharaff costumes.

Interesting that Liza's official Instagram says nothing about Chita but a happy birthday post for her PR person was posted three hours ago.

Maybe that controlling Michael Feinstein is withholding the news from her, R139.

I will tell dear Liza about Chita. Sensitively and caringly, when the time is right and the cameras are ready!

Oh yeah, like Liza writes her own IG.

I am a mashter of shoshial media!

[R60]- you left out a revival. The one right before COVID. I do not know her name and I do not believe she was even nominated.

I didn't include the 2020 Ivo van Hove production, because it only played 24 performances before the Covid lockdown and never reopened.

Thus, it was ineligible for any Tonys, so no one was nominated.

BTW: 'Anita' was played by Yesenia Ayala in that production.

[quote][R60] - you left out a revival. The one right before COVID. I do not know her name and I do not believe she was even nominated.

I didn't include the 2020 Ivo van Hove production, because it only played 24 performances before the Covid lockdown and never reopened.

Thus, it was ineligible for any Tonys, so no one was nominated.

BTW: 'Anita' was played by Yesenia Ayala in that production.

This dear Chita minutia I why I love you bitches.

I’ve never been a show queen, it’s just not my taste, too overblown. An old boyfriend got us tickets for Kiss Of The Spider Woman when it was on in London. Fully expecting to be bored stiff, I was blown away by Chita Rivera. That lady was a star.

I too, saw Spider Woman in London and was blown away by Chita. I couldn't wait for the cast album to come out. She was a STAR.

Chita just always seemed like a really cool lady.

In her entire career did anybody bitch about her or think she was a pain in the ass? I don't think so!

I have always envied her for having married (and fucked) Tony Mordente, who was my favorite Jet in the 1961 WSS film.

Here they are on their wedding day in 1957.

Damn, he sho was ugly.

Tony Mordente was not ugly.

[quote]Tony Mordente was not ugly

No, but in the photo at R153, he does sort of resemble someone from the "Hot Mugshots" thread.

Can any of you please confirm whether Tony is currently alive and incarcerated?

Sorry, all three photos provided show an ugly man. He was Moe Szyslak before The Simpsons. I'm sure he had a great body, because he was a dancer, but that face looks like it was used for boxing practice.

Found a wedding day photo... Tony was a good looking man. The pic is really of a time - look at his hair!

Audra McDonald sang at the Kennedy Center last night and had a nice tribute to Hinton Battle with “Home”’and Chita with “Some Other Time/Somewhere”. She got very emotional about both, talking at length about how Chita connected to everyone. Great evening.

So sweet

I'm a man of the theatre and my FB and Insta feeds are utterly filled with tributes to Chita from those who worked with her, those simply met her and those who simply sat in a room and watched her perform. She was clearly a person treated everyone she met with great respect and love.

Very beautiful and overwhelming to read it all. And how lovely that she aged so gracefully that she went out looking her best to her fans and friends. RIP dear lady.

R160 I'm not a theater (or theatre) man but, same. So many people I knew met her, loved her and had only nice things to say about her.

[quote]In her entire career did anybody bitch about her or think she was a pain in the ass? I don't think so!

She hit me in the head with a fondue pot.

R155 They married in 1957. Divorced in '66. Tony is still alive, now 89. Daughter, Lisa, (65) announced Chita's death.

Fun fact: daughter Lisa is an actress and she was in "The Who's Tommy" in the 90s... and I'm sure some other things that I don't know.

Isn't Tony a homosexual?

Lisa, unfortunately, is a complete nepo baby. She was in several things in the 80s and was terrible in all of them and I think she got a Tony nomination somewhere. She wanted to play Morales in the replacement ACL cast but couldn't sing or dance well enough.

Hey kids, don't forget Platinum!

R164- Lisa was not in TOMMY. She was assistant to Wayne Cilento. Lisa was in Platinum and Marlowe though.

Lisa was Tony nominated for Marlowe

MARLOWE

R167, Richard Cox went from Broadway to Cruising, and yet he still claims to be heterosexual.

He is heterosexual. I worked on a flop play with him back in the 90s and he was a sweetheart and happily talked about anything you wanted to know. I chatted him up about Cruising quite a bit.

[quote]Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett are all that’s left of that group

What about Kim Novak, Brigitte Bardot, Shirley MacLaine, Angie Dickenson, Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, Leslie Caron, even a lesser "star" like Tina Louise is alive. Eva Marie Saint is alive!

Tony Mordente switched from acting to directing.

[quote]Angie Dickenson

That's MISS Angie DICKINSON

What do their Broadway resumes consist of, r173?

[quote]What do their Broadway resumes consist of, R173?

Shirley MacLaine owes her career to having been Carol Haney's understudy in "The Pajama Game" and having to go on for her one night.

R172, Cox was in Platinum with Alexis Smith and Lisa Mordente.

Lisa is a shortie like her parents.

[quote] "Suicide? Drugs? Bathtub?"

Moreno, R11.

r180, meet r43.

Ha, R180! Hello, R43.

I'd say Helen Gallagher is in that group as well.

That song from Sunset aka Platinum is instantly forgettable.

Which one are you talking about, r184?

Sunset City

r177 - r23's list was of Broadway legends who are gone. Shirley would count because of the way she was discovered (which is legendary) but Shirl wasn't a Broadway star. The others on the list at r173 weren't Broadway stars either.

Chita will always be theatre royalty. She not only played Broadway but also toured and did lots of stock. Didn't have a big film or tv career but she's the last of the true Broadway legends. She was also kind, generous and a pro. She played the last performance of The Visit with no voice. She danced on sprained ankles. Who does that today? Certainly not the current crop of stars who can't do 8 shows a week.

It was her solid ballet training. Her discipline and her line.

^^ plagiarizing NYT supplemental article about her dance background.

My god, R136, how Chita moves in that number! Her arms! (dare I say port de bras? is it too pretentious?) Man, I love great dancing.

Helen Gallagher and her buck teeth

Only 91?

I blame drugs.

Has Lizsha commented?

Didn't read it, r190. But it's such a simple basic truth...what's to plagiarize?

[quote] Certainly not the current crop of stars who can't do 8 shows a week.

I'll give you 6.

Here’s a picture I cut out of People magazine and have saved for 40 years because I like it so much:

the attention to épaulement — the carriage of the arms and shoulders —

…

ballet training that set Rivera apart

REST IN PEACE CHITS

I know you bitches hate TiKTok, but here's a clip of 70's Chita performing "America" from West Side Story in a dance studio with Donna McKechnie sitting on the floor looking on on awe.

Was Chita short for Charles? She looked like a busted trans woman to me.

Bedtime, r201!

I met Tony Mordente backstage when I was a kid with my ballet teacher in the 60s and I remember how intense and short he was. Maybe 5’4-5’5? I’m assuming she was 5’6 plus?

Chita as Mrs Dame, the maid of Sally Kellerman in The Bellero Shield, wears no shoes.

I saw her in concert later in her career. she sang but did not dance. My friend worked as her personal assistant for the show. I actually think my friend volunteered this service rather than being employed by Chita, as my friend was a friend of the producer. The main thing I remember about the show was that the lighting design was TERRIBLE. It had these awful big circles which totally upstaged her. I wondered how she could have approved it.

[quote]Her arms! (dare I say port de bras?

Mary, you DASN'T!

R200 that was from the Sondheim tribute show. She performed it with Pamela Myers and I think McKechnie choreographed it, not reproduced the Robbins choreography.

I worked for Kander and Ebb in the 90s. I trained them both and was Fred's assistant for a year. Chita came around a few times. She was petite and yet such a powerhouse presence. I was young and hadn't seen her perform live. She was so kind and down to earth. Truly an end of an era. I hear John was with her at the end.

Being petite makes one down to earth.

Harvey Fierstein recalled starting as a fan — he still remembers as a child seeing her in “Bye Bye Birdie” — and then becoming close after she came to see him in “Torch Song Trilogy.”

“She was so exciting onstage — she was funny, she was dramatic, and she could do it all,” Fierstein said in a telephone interview. “She was, for me, a mentor, a great friend, and one of the people that I adored most. She was a good-time gal, but she also was the hardest working woman ever — she loved it, and she would do more if she could.”

[quote]I trained them both

To do what, r208?

[quote] Harvey Fierstein recalled starting as a fan — he still remembers as a child seeing her in “Bye Bye Birdie” — and then becoming close after she came to see him in “Torch Song Trilogy.” “She was so exciting onstage — she was funny, she was dramatic, and she could do it all,” Fierstein said in a telephone interview. “She was, for me, a mentor, a great friend, and one of the people that I adored most. She was a good-time gal, but she also was the hardest working woman ever — she loved it, and she would do more if she could.”

Reached from Heaven, Rivera responded, "I hated that asshole. Everyone hated/hates him. But you put up with that phony shit for the sake of the community."

Trained them to do what, R208?

R213 Fisting, Rose.

[quote]Isn't Tony a homosexual?

Tony Mordente has been married to his second wife, Jean Fraser, since the 1970s.

They have one daughter, Adriana.

Another of Tony's ex's, Sandy Rovetta, played Cassie in the International company of ACL. His then and current wife, Jean Fraser, played Maggie in the same company at the same time. Awkward.

Sandy Rovetta

In her memoir, Chita says that Bob Fosse had a huge sex drive and would try to bed every female in every show.

Alas, Fosse never hit on her, which Chita admits was insulting.

I don't think he hit on Jill Clayburgh in Pippin. she said that because she was not a dancer, he had no respect for her.

[quote] I trained them both

[quote]To do what, [R208]?

Use the toilet, Rose.

Sandy was also in Chorus Line Angels episode of Charlies Angels. Did anyone see her as Cassie? She was the first Cassie in the International Company and opened in London but I never heard much about her. Ann Reinking took Donna's part in NY when Donna went to LA.

I can't act, Zach.

R222, not Sandy. She's to the right of Jaclyn Smith in the beginning. Pamela Peadon has most of the acting lines and she played Cassie in LA to excellent reviews, although Bennett didn't like her.

Pam Peadon looking gorgeous

Who?

Geraldo must be in mourning.

[quote]Cox was in Platinum with Alexis Smith and Lisa Mordente.

And legend has it showed his cox in a full frontal hot tub scene. Had tickets but it closed before my date.

Pamela Peadon might have had a chance if she'd only changed her name.

Who was it that Pamela Peadon?

Michael Arden, of course.

Peadon was also Donna's understudy in the On The Town revival. She got a lot of TV because of her performance as Cassie in LA. She played Marilyn Miller in the Ziegfeld movie and wasn't bad.

I had heard this Chita story decades ago, so O am unsure if it is true, or a Broadway fable. Are there any of Chits' friends who can verify or deny?

After her horrible auto accident that left her with a compound fracture of her leg, it was uncertain if she would walk again. Before she was rushed into surgery to have her 18 screws inserted and the limc reset, she wanted to be sure that her cast was set with her wearing a character shoe. If the surgery meant the loss of mobility, she sure as hell wanted her foot to be set for dance heels for the rest of her life. If surgery was a success, she would be one step closer to her next audition.

Whether true or a fable, that resilience was pure Chita.

I just want to thank you all and Datalounge. Where else im the world could I have come to mourn Chita? Where else could I compare notes with someone who's read La Cote Basque recently? This place is uniquen

Also, my friend Joe who I met on here. Love you all.

A lovely piece from the Guardian.

[quote]Being petite makes one down to earth.

True that!

Did Broadway dim for Chita?

They will—it doesn’t happen THAT quickly.

Broadway has already forgotten her.

Seriously, R237?

They used to dim the following night.

Not true.

The corporate overlords of the theater owners just need to coordinate—that is all.

Dimmed on Feb 2.

R242, Three(3) days after she died.

The dimming typically happens a few days after death, though timing varies.

Ethel Merman died on February 15, 1984.

Broadway dimmed its lights for her on February 20th.

R241, Which can be done via text messages.

“Hollywood leading lady Lauren Bacall died at age 89 on the morning of Aug. 12, 2014, after suffering a stroke at her home. The legendary actress first emerged on the scene as the star of the 1944 film "To Have and Have Not" and starred in several others, including "The Mirror Has Two Faces" and "Designing Woman."

Broadway theaters will dim their marquees on Friday evening in memory of Tony Award winner and iconic Hollywood screen actress Lauren Bacall, who died on Tuesday at the age of 89.“

FYI August 12 2014 was a Tuesday.

oops missed the last sentence.

Che? CHE!

Hey, R240 . . .

“As the Broadway community mourns the loss of Carol Channing, the theatre district will send her off with a tradition befitting of a stage legend. Broadway theatres will dim their marquee lights in memory of the Tony winner January 16 for one minute at 7:45 PM. Ms. Channing died January 15 at the age of 97.“

One more for R240 . . .

“The Broadway community paid tribute to the late Barbara Cook with its traditional light-dimming ceremony. Theatre marquees went dark for exactly one minute August 9 at 7:45 PM. Cook died of respiratory failure August 8, surrounded by her friends and family, at the age of 89.“

Two examples does not make a rule…you’re outnumbered. Don’t make a fuss where none is needed.

Yes, R232, I believe that is true. I know one of her best and oldest friends and he once shared that story to me and (jokes aside) mlop also mentioned the same thing in her ATC posts about visiting Chita often during her recovery period.

And don’t post cunty remarks that are blatantly false, R253.

Nothing false—you are just being pissy about the clapback…. You’ll get over it.

r240 - is there really a need to be so argumentative? R253 is right, there are many examples from recent history that indicate, for whatever reason, there is a longer gap between a star's death and the dimming of lights on Broadway. I don't know why it sometimes takes so long to organize. And, I don't disagree that it would be nice if it happened closer to the star's passing, but there have been several dimmings in recent years that happened WEEKS after the star's passing.

R257

240 and 253 are the same poster. Jeez

For Hal Prince, Broadway dimmed THE DAY HE DIED.

“Broadway theatres will dim their lights to send off the late theatre titan Harold Prince, whose shows graced the stages of several houses along the Great White Way. Marquees will go dark for exactly one minute July 31 at 7:45 PM.

Mr. Prince died July 31 following a brief illness. He was 91.“

“The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed Aug. 8 at 8 PM for one minute in memory of Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch, the celebrated composer, performer, arranger, musical coordinator, orchestrator and musical supervisor, who passed away Aug. 6 at age 68.“

“The Broadway community mourns the loss of Bea Arthur, who died on Saturday, April 25th at age 86. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory on Tuesday, April 28th, at exactly 8:00pm for one minute.“

“Broadway theatres will dim their marquee lights at 8 PM on Thursday Oct. 24 in honor of the Oct. 23 passing of lyricist-librettist Adolph Green. The lights will be dimmed for the traditional one minute.“

“Broadway will mourn the loss of theatrical star Tony Randall May 18 by dimming the lights on all marquees at 8 PM.

Randall died in his sleep yesterday evening May 17 at NYU Medical Center due to complications from a prolonged illness.”

“The Broadway community mourns the loss of Mike Nichols, Tony Award-winning director, producer, writer and performer, who died Wednesday, 19 November 2014 at the age of 83. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory tonight, 21 November 2014, at exactly 7:45pm for one minute.“

“The marquees of the Broadway theatres will be dimmed May 11 at 7 PM for one minute to pay tribute to the late singer-actress Lena Horne, who died May 9 at the age of 92.“

You can stop now…

“The lights on Broadway marquees were dimmed for one minute Wednesday night in memory of stage, movie and television actor Jerry Orbach.

Orbach, who died of prostate cancer yesterday in Manhattan, had a gift for charming audiences.”

Why are you such a massive asshole in every thread you post? You have serious mental and emotional problems. I wish you'd get banned for life for our good and yours.

Donna wanted the lights dimmed to dance the night away.

R176 Is Carol Burnett's Broadway resume so impressive, then?

Once Upon a Mattress. Fade Out Fade In. Moon Over Buffalo. Putting It Together. Hollywood Arms. Love Letters.

That's four more Broadway credits than I have... How about you, R270?

R271 I don't have any Broadway credits. Congratulations on yours.

By the way, Elizabeth Ashley has 18 Broadway credits. She's still around. Even Jane Fonda has five or six.

Why is it so hard to dim the lights? All you have to do is push a button, right?

When (if) Patti LuPone dies, Broadway will be dark for a whole week!

R273, And coordinate with other theatres, which can be done with a simple group text.

There’s the entire Broadway League involved. They’ve now rued the day Charlotte was sent packing. They need her just for this kind of thing 🤠

. . .

"Even Jane Fonda" is no Broadway slouch, R272, with Tony nominations in 1960 and 2009. But I get your drift.

Wait. Are they NOT going to dim for Chita? They dim for Carrie Fisher and Joan Rivers but NOT Chita Rivera?

As you said yourself—wait! It will happen

We are dimming the lights, but Rita keeps turning them on!

For Chita they should simply cancel all performances for one night, and have all the ticket holders do a candlelight march down Broadway instead.

R282, All wearing poodle skirts.

And yelping as in "America".

Why did they give her grey strips of hair in Sweet Charity? It's like they tried to make her older than she was.

Maybe to make her look older than Shirley MacLaine, R295. She was an "older and wiser" sort of character.

R285, there was no way they could make Chita look younger than anyone in that movie. She looked 20 years older than Shirley or Paula. As for the wig, it was Fosse's idea. She said that Fosse wanted to make Nikki look cheap so he put her in the wig and also put on this very white makeup. She fought it but Fosse wouldn't budge. She's lucky he got Shirley because if he didn't, the studios would have pushed for their choices for Nikki and Helene. Diana Ross (seriously) and, wait for it.....Rita Moreno.

Chita has only kind words for Shirley MacLaine in her autobiography.

After a dance number take that Fosse had called a print, Chita was upset because she had slightly danced out of range. Shirley saw that she was unhappy and when Chita told her why, Shirley requested another take and Fosse agreed.

R288 aww love that!

It seriously STUNS me that there's ANY question of light dimming. Anyone know where that stands?

Wait, Broadway dimmed the lights for Carrie Fisher but not Debbie Reynolds?

R290 both of them. At the same time.

Alexis Smith received a double barreled hit.

Not only did Broadway not dim for her, the Oscars did not include her in their In Memoriam.

If they don't dim for Chita the whole thing is a fucking JOKE.

And third - Alexis has no star on the walk of fame!

But I think she was in the Oscars In Memoriam.

Yep just checked. alexis is there.

R296, Yes, at 1:26.

G's hair is dead too in that tribute.

R296, Alexis died in June of 1993, too late for the 1993 In Memoriam.

Fun facts I just read online:

Yes, it’s true that Bajour was Chita Rivera’s only Broadway foray between Bye Bye Birdie and Chicago, but it wasn’t for want of trying. It’s just that the shows kept closing out of town on their way to NYC. There were at least two I can think of, Zenda in 1963, and 1491 (Meredith Willson’s last musical) in 1969. There was a third stinker I’m blanking on at the moment. Anyhow, she took work as it came, like National Tours of Sweet Charity (which got her the film role of Nicky when Fosse saw her in the show as Charity. Rivera found out she got the part while she was doing the show in Chicago with the original Nicky, Helen Gallagher. My understanding is that Gallagher never spoke to her again. Or at least not for the rest of the tour.).

R291 Okay, that makes more sense. The poster only mentioned Carrie Fisher.

Good news.

She’ll be forgotten by then…

Chita!

[quote]Broadway Will Dim Its Lights in Memory of 3-Time Tony Honoree Chita Rivera

But not until February 17. What took you so long, Broadway?

Chits fired!

R305, At least it will be a Saturday evening when the theatre area is packed.

Still dead?

Still kicking?

Let her rest in peace.

Sorry, I didn't realize we were disturbing her dead body, r310!

It's the night the lights go out for Chita

It's the night they hang up her dancing shoes

Don't trust the Academy to have her In Memoriam

Cos Rita's on the board which is not good news

[quote]Why is it so hard to dim the lights? All you have to do is push a button, right?

It's actually quite a bit more complicated than that. It involves resetting or overriding antiquated timers.

[quote][R273], And coordinate with other theatres, which can be done with a simple group text.

The theatres get their times from the League.

[quote]If they don't dim for Chita the whole thing is a fucking JOKE.

It became a joke back in 2015 when they dimmed the lights for that 21-year-old actor, Kyle Jean-Baptiste.

He had only one Broadway credit -- LES MIZ revival (2014-2016) -- which he had joined in June 2015 as an ensemble member and Valjean understudy.

When Ramin Karimloo went on vacation in July, he made headlines as "the youngest actor ever" and "the first POC" to portray Jean Valjean on Broadway.

He left the show in late August and died in a freak accident one day later when he went to view a full moon on the fire escape of his apartment and lost his balance.

Three days later, the lights were dimmed for him.

The night they dimmed with flavahh . . .

2 theaters dimmed their lights after their shows..one was the theater he was performing in. It was not the full, traditional honor. Don’t be a prick.

R314 his fire escape accident was just like Suzy Parker in The Best of Everything.