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THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: Here We Go Round THE RINK!

By: Feb. 12, 2015
THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAYS
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Today we celebrate a cult favorite that opened this very week way back in 1984, THE RINK.

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Don't Ah Ma Me

Chita Rivera. Liza Minnelli. John Kander. Fred Ebb. Four legendary theatre icons, one potentially exhilarating new Broadway musical. What possibly could go wrong? For THE RINK, the good far outweighs the bad in retrospect, although the reviews were largely unfavorable and the show only managed to eek out 204 performances in its original run, with many prognosticators at the time attributing even that moderate success to the presence of the two stars. Indeed, a Kander & Ebb musical tailor-made to the talents of their two prime interpreters was catnip for Broadway babies - and the show delivered a series of showstopping performance pieces for the two dynamic divas, including a handful of memorable duets and striking solo showcases. Nonetheless, THE RINK is usually not recognized by most theatre enthusiasts in the same awed manner as the pair's unforgettable CHICAGO, CABARET and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, yet THE RINK is overflowing with glories and one of the musicals most worthy of revival that have appeared on the Great White Way over the last 50 years.

Originally planned as an intimate Off-Broadway musical set to be directed by Broadway heavyweight Arthur Laurents, THE RINK was expanded into a much larger project during its development, eventually leading to the Broadway mounting which was helmed by A.J. Antoon, featuring spirited and unique choreography by Graciele Danielle. With a book by Albert Innaurato, the musical tells the story of a dilapidated Atlantic City roller rink and the tempestuous relationship between a tough and loving mother, Anna (played by Rivera), and her free-spirited hippie daughter, Angel (played by Minnelli), who returns unannounced after a long absence. What then transpires over the course of the more or less real-time theatrical experience is a memory play of sorts, with scenes from the distant and more recent past cropping up in emotional and dramatic sequences of music, dance and dialogue, as well as the frosty relationship between the pair eventually warming over the course of their time together as the two hours of stage time transpire. Of course, it being a Kander & Ebb musical, there is also the quirky interweaving of interludes - climaxing in the instant earworm production number title song - performed by the wrecking crew preparing for the demolition of the family establishment now that it has been unceremoniously sold after several barren years on the boardwalk.

Then, there is the score. Possessing a rich and varied songstack ostensibly designed to show off not only the theatrical skills but also the dramatic integrity of the central performers, Kander & Ebb inarguably brought their A-game in order to allow their leading ladies many moments in which to shine. For instance, Rivera was afforded the punchy "Chief Cook & Bottle Washer" along with the touching flashback moments and a searing, wild dance episode set under the boardwalk. Accordingly, Minnelli was provided with a slew of barn burning ballads via the spine-tingling opening number, "Colored Lights" and the highly dramatic "All The Children In A Row". Of course, in a show starring a delectable duo such as this, the duets had better deliver - and, boy, did they! "Don't Ah Ma Me", "What Happened To The Old Days" and "The Apple Doesn't Fall" are three such examples of the performance power and razzmatazz worth relishing that can still be experienced on the exceptional original Broadway cast recording of the original production. Not perfect, perhaps, but a whole helluva lot to love.

So, let's go back to the opening night of February 9, 1984 and see what THE RINK was all about via this Tony Awards clip with Rivera and Minnelli honoring Kander & Ebb.

As a special bonus, peruse the original production, as well.

What is your absolute favorite song for each of the divas at the heart of THE RINK? Furthermore, what is your pick for best duet? With a score this packed with variety and impact along with the performance options available for the two leads, the time seems ideal for a fresh RINK for a new generation. Who would you cast as Anna and Angel for a revival? Whoever is chosen, it is certainly unavoidable that they will unquestionably owe a debt to the fabulous originators of both parts.







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