From the special "That's Singing, The Best of Broadway", Chita recreates the dance number she made famous in the original production of "Bye Bye Birdie"
I have SO much respect for Chita watching this. My school is doing a production of bye bye birdie and as someone who is attempting this choreography it is incredibly difficult to make it look that good.
Ariel Caramel comparing this to the film, you can see the difference a great dancer makes . With every gesture she knows exactly how high her arm is , exactly where her foot should be, it’s not just strength and agility, it’s fantastic proprioceptic skills. I hope your show goes well .
How incredibly FABULOUS! The late Chita Rivera was a lovely woman and brilliant dancer all of her life! She did many twists and turns and leaps and whatevers that most other dancers simply couldn't. She could turn from back to belly IN MID AIR when male dancers tossed her! She was extraordinary! Her dancing and singing were a gift to us all!
This special was originally called "Showstoppers: The Best of Broadway" and premiered on the pay cable Entertainment Channel in 1982. For home video release it was retitled "That's Singing: The Best of Broadway."
GREAT! Been waiting to see this for over forty years. What a crime she didn't do the film version. A great star. Thanks for posting this. Look at Casablanca, The Dance, and let me know what you think. But this is fantastic. Brava Chita.
My school is putting on this show this weekend and this number is still included. I happen to love this number. It's one of my favorites. But then again I'm a little bias since I'm playing the solo. :]
Encores! did a concert version of BIRDIE in 2004 with Karen Ziemba as Rosie. Wish I saw it. I thought I read that Casey Nicholaw recreated Gower Champion's Shiner Ballet choreography. Does anyone know if that was true? Really would have loved to have seen Karen do this role!
THe director stupidly said that it seemed too close to a gang rape to him. WTF. He also said it didn't progress the plot but much of the musical doesn't--it's ot really that kinda show.
Apparently the director didn't understand the very show he was directing! Rosie is fed up with Alberts mother always insisting she's Spanish. In those days that was ok to mock. So Rosie goes out on the town to be a Spanish Rose if she's drunk enough. She takes on the Shriners because she's just plain fed up!
