Exclusive Podcast: BROADWAY'S BACKBONE with Living Legend Chita Rivera
By: Broadway's Backbone Sep. 26, 2016
BroadwayWorld will be bringing you new episodes of Broadway's Backbone- a podcast dedicated to the men and woman of the ensemble: the chorus of dancers, singers, and actors that are the foundation of every Broadway musical. These often-unsung gypsies are the hardest working people on the boards and are Broadway's backbone. Each episode features an interview with a Broadway vet, in which they speak about their life, career and dreams, and the topics that aren't always shared. The life of a gypsy maybe full of passion, but not always filled with glamour. Each guest shares intimate details about their journey. There is no mud slinging, but expect a little dirt. The podcast is in honor of the folks of the ensemble and the people who plan to be them.
In this episode: The Legendary Chita Rivera got her musical theatre start at the age of 17 on the 1st national tour of "Call Me Madam" and every step since then has paved the way to making her Carnegie Hall debut on Monday Nov. 7th 2016 at 8:00 in Chita: Nowadays. Chita refers to herself as an eternal gypsy, talks about how dancing is acting without words, and that listening is the best way to learn the craft. With ten Tony nominations and two wins, and with consummate wisdom and skill, Chita shares that many of the disciplines that made her a star, she learned from dancing in the chorus. When the universe opens a door, Chita Rivera always peeks in.
Broadway Backbone is hosted by Brad Bradley, who made his Broadway debut in the original cast of "Steel Pier" and followed that with "Annie Get Your Gun", "Thou Shalt Not" "Spamalot", "People in the Picture", "Billy Elliot", and "Chita: A Legendary Celebration." Brad got the idea for the podcast during a conversation he had with Chita Rivera as they were sitting on the dock in Cherry Grove, Fire Island talking shop. She told him that everyone should go through the chorus. It's where dues are paid, the craft is refined, and discipline is born. The seed was planted.
Past podcast guests have included: Ryan Steel (Newsies, Peter Pan LIVE), Neil Haskell (Hamilton, So You Think You Can Dance), Lisa Gajda (Tuck Everlasting), Peter Gregus (Jersey Boys), Angie Schworer (Something Rotten), Charlie Sutton (An American in Paris), Dennis Stowe (Aladdin), Cleve and Donna Marie Asbury (Chicago), Jeremy Davis(Hail, Caesar), Jen Cody (Urinetown), and Tara Rubin (Tara Rubin Casting). The podcast can be found at www.Broadwaysbackbone.com, and soon on iTunes.
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