This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:08] Robert Bannon: Hey, hey, hey. Well, hello, everybody. Robert Bannon here from my vacation home in...

[0:14] Robert Bannon: No, I'm home in Detroit. That's why I couldn't be at the Chita Rivera Awards.

[0:19] Robert Bannon: But I did have Rob Nicholson there and my girl Gina Buongiorno. That's what I call her.

[0:24] Robert Bannon: She was there as well to cover this incredible event.

[0:27] Robert Bannon: I had the chance to know and be friendly with Miss Rivera.

[0:31] Robert Bannon: And, of course, her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who I love very, very much.

[0:34] Robert Bannon: And I love that they honored the incredible dancers of Broadway with this award show that I've been lucky enough to go to.

[0:42] Robert Bannon: So let's kick it off. How about we start off with Charlotte D'Amboise and Robyn Hurder, who hosted the event.

[0:50] Robert Bannon: And then after them, Tony-winning superstar Bebe Neuwirth chatted with us on the red carpet.

[0:57] Robert Bannon: We are here with Robyn and Charlotte, our two wonderful hosts for the evening.

[1:01] Charlotte D'Amboise: Ladies, what does it feel like to be hosting tonight on the night that is really... It's the only thing, the only award ceremony specifically for our dancers.

[1:12] Robyn Hurder: You want to go? You want me to go? You go ahead, babe.

[1:15] Charlotte D'Amboise: First thing I think of is community. Like, I'm a dancer first. It's my first love. And tonight it's all of our friends. And we are a different kind of breed, dancers. We're the most disciplined. We're the most... I mean, I'm not putting down any other genre of musical theater. But we really come together. I feel like we're always fully ensemblist first. And that's a really beautiful gift to have. But it's all about community and celebrating what is, I think, one of the hardest art forms.

[1:48] Robyn Hurder: Yeah, and also, you know, it's nice for them to be recognized. Because they, you know, may not be recognized enough. So I'm happy about that. And I'm happy to have a good time and then have a good time at the party afterwards.

[2:03] Charlotte D'Amboise: That's great.

[2:04] Robyn Hurder: With all our friends. It's always the best party when you're with the dancers.

[2:07] Charlotte D'Amboise: That's right. Oh, man. The dancers...

[2:09] Robyn Hurder: It's going to be a hootenanny.

[2:10] Charlotte D'Amboise: It is going to be a hootenanny.

[2:11] Robyn Hurder: Lovely to hear that.

[2:12] Charlotte D'Amboise: No, I'm not saying that. Being on stage with Charlotte and I, it's going to be a grand old time.

[2:17] Robyn Hurder: It's just nice to hear that word up to you.

[2:18] Charlotte D'Amboise: So nice.

[2:19] Robyn Hurder: Ladies, thank you so much.

[2:21] Charlotte D'Amboise: Thank you. Thank you.

[2:22] Robyn Hurder: Chita Rivera paved the way for so many people that came after her.

[2:26] Charlotte D'Amboise: Yeah.

[2:27] Robyn Hurder: For anybody watching tonight, any of the young dancers that are going to be in the audience, what advice would you give them?

[2:34] Charlotte D'Amboise: Well, I'd like for them to know their history and know the dancers who came before them. And I think Chita would be the first person to say, know the dancers who came before her. Know Jack Cole. Know everybody who came before. My mind is going blank because I'm trying to think. That's what happens. But, you know, we all have a legacy to look to and to build on and to be inspired by. And, you know, I was watching a clip of the Nicholas Brothers today and I thought everybody needs to see the Nicholas Brothers. Not only to see what they, how they dance, but what they put up with. So you just have to study your history and respect it and be inspired by it. That's not, you know, I think a lot of times young people think, oh, I have to learn the history. I have to think about this. I just want to do my thing. We want you to do your thing, too. But you will be probably inspired and your thing will be augmented by studying the past and learning from the past.

[3:49] Bebe Neuwirth: Bebe, thank you so much. The future is bright.

[3:52] Charlotte D'Amboise: Oh, I hope so. And vote.

[3:55] Robyn Hurder: Vote lots.

[3:57] Bebe Neuwirth: Don't use AI. Do not use AI.

[4:02] Robert Bannon: We love you, Bebe.

[4:05] Robert Bannon: Being a Jersey boy myself, even if I'm in Detroit right now, my heart lives in Jersey.

[4:10] Robert Bannon: Now, Detroit will tell you that they put out some good music.

[4:14] Robert Bannon: You may have heard of Motown. But we have Bruce.

[4:18] Robert Bannon: And if there's Bruce, there's Stevie. And Stevie Van Zandt and his incredible wife ran to the show.

[4:25] Robert Bannon: We're also there. Why? Take a peek.

[4:28] Stevie Van Zandt: ...about what it's like to be here tonight at an awards ceremony that celebrates choreography where no one else really does that same work.

[4:38] Robert Bannon: Oh, good. I'm so happy for you guys.

[4:43] Stevie Van Zandt: Fantastic. You, too? You're welcome.

[4:48] Robert Bannon: Oh, fabulous. Well, that's great.

[4:51] Stevie Van Zandt: And I do have to say that, Bebe, you move very good on stage. So I've seen you play. So you do a little bit of choreography yourself.

[5:05] Bebe Neuwirth: Well, the music moves you without even trying, without any rehearsal. So it's all related. You know, music is just a wonderful common ground that we all need these days. There's so little common ground between us.

[5:21] Stevie Van Zandt: We definitely need it now more than ever, guys. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.

[5:28] Robert Bannon: We love you. Take care.

[5:30] Stevie Van Zandt: Thank you, Stevie.

[5:32] Robert Bannon: I'm Sandy Hicks' friend.

[5:35] Robert Bannon: Speaking of friends to the show, the next couple of people have all been here as well. How about now Tony nominee Layton Williams in Titanic?

[5:44] Robert Bannon: He's been here twice. We love him very much. And also a nominee, the wonderful, not for Titanic, the wonderful Isabelle McCalla.

[5:56] Robert Bannon: Take a listen.

[5:57] Layton Williams: What is the biggest difference between the London audiences and the New York audiences?

[6:01] Layton Williams: I mean, I can't lie and stand here and say that New York audiences are a little wilder. I mean, they love out loud. And I think that's the one great thing that I've just adored about New York audiences. They're not afraid to holler and hoot. And with a show like Titanic, it's exactly what we need. So exactly. People are loving live. And they love out loud. And I love that.

[6:26] Robert Bannon: Tell me a little, just real quick about the iceberg.

[6:30] Layton Williams: The iceberg. Well, I play the iceberg in Titanic and it's one of them kind of like beautiful surprises. It's one of the show stopping numbers. And I'm not saying that for me. I'm just saying that it is what it is, you know. And it's an honor to do it because it comes out of no one. I think people are just so gooped. And they're like, oh my gosh, like how is the iceberg reincarnated as Tina Turner slash RuPaul. Explaining it is crazy. Just honestly get your ticket and hopefully you're in for a ride.

[6:58] Layton Williams: Thank you so much.

[6:59] Robert Bannon: My pleasure. Take care.

[7:01] Isabelle McCalla: I'm Isabelle McCalla and I'm nominated for Best Dancer in a Broadway Show.

[7:07] Robert Bannon: Incredible. What show?

[7:08] Isabelle McCalla: Schmigadoon.

[7:09] Robert Bannon: Another Schmigadoon.

[7:11] Isabelle McCalla: Another Schmigadoon.

[7:12] Robert Bannon: What does it mean like?

[7:14] Isabelle McCalla: What does it mean like? I have no more words. Too hot. Baked apple. Not even the big apple. Baked apple.

[7:22] Robert Bannon: There we go. What is it like being here tonight and having an award ceremony that is for dancers, for someone in your craft?

[7:29] Isabelle McCalla: The only game in town. It's so special to be here in honor of dancers. For me, dance is my first love. It showed me that I could have a life in the theater. And all of these dancers and all of these shows are just so special. It feels like the best validation for my 12-year-old self for wanting to do this. And you know what? Dancers deserve every bit as much recognition as singers and actors. So it's just so special to be awarded this.

[8:02] Isabelle McCalla: Cheetah.

[8:04] Robert Bannon: What is the hardest number in Schmigadoon?

[8:07] Isabelle McCalla: Hardest number in Schmigadoon? Well, I mean, you really have to ask Ensemble because they're doing every single number. They could tell you more accurately. I heard lover's fat from two of them.

[8:17] Robert Bannon: That makes sense.

[8:18] Isabelle McCalla: I mean, I have to say with all your heart because that's the one I do and it does not get easier. I leave stage every day like this. Because I do, you know, kick my face and we have triple pirouettes and then I backbend and then I have to belt at the end. It's a loss.

[8:33] Robert Bannon: And that's what makes it all worth it.

[8:35] Isabelle McCalla: Right. Best of luck tonight.

[8:37] Robert Bannon: Thank you.

[8:39] Isabelle McCalla: Thank you so much.

[8:40] Robert Bannon: Speaking of Tony's, Priscilla Lopez happens to jump on the red carpet. Here's a listen.

[8:46] Priscilla Lopez: My name is Priscilla Lopez and I'm here to present an award. And I'm not going to say he's going to get it because we have to surprise people.

[8:52] Rick Negron: And I asked my great friend here. Hi, I'm Rick Negron. And I played Priscilla's husband in The Hunch for two years. So that's me.

[9:04] Priscilla Lopez: What does it feel like to be here on a night where dancing is the focus? And it's the only show for that.

[9:11] Rick Negron: Fantastic. The dancers are the backbone of the show. And in fact, Chorus Line is the only one where Michael Bennett is going to be training.

[9:21] Priscilla Lopez: One more to the audience. And we're going to be on the stage. And we're going to just dance around and make it look like an image. To say thank you.

[9:35] Rick Negron: Yeah, right. It's unfortunate that didn't make it into the final cut, huh?

[9:40] Priscilla Lopez: Thank you so much for everything.

[9:42] Rick Negron: Thank you.

[9:44] Robert Bannon: It's now Cat's time. Here's a whole bunch of Cat's people. From Sydney Harcourt to Jonathan Burke to ensemble directors, dancers, singers.

[9:58] Jonathan Burke: Am I hired?

[9:59] Robert Bannon: That was the most embarrassing thing I've ever done. The family of Cat's is here. Tell me what it means to be here tonight at the Chita Rivera Awards. And the only show that is really dedicated to your craft.

[10:15] Sydney Harcourt: It is an honor on many levels. It's an honor to be my name said in the same craft as Chita Rivera's name. In the universe and the other side of the screen, I'm truly a boy who's watching and singing in the rain. The greats like Citrus and Dream and Dremel. If I could do something like that one day in my life, it would be around that dreams come true. It's also sort of deepening. It reminds me of me as a man of color, to have a chance to be nominated for a work that celebrates my music. I run a Broadway stage. When I came here, I thought something like this could never happen. I never knew a dream. So, it's too bad. We have a lot of youth here tonight that are going to be watching the entire show and being in the show, actually part of it, in competition. What message would you give young dancers out there tonight?

[11:20] Sydney Harcourt: If people tell you you can't, let that drive you to work harder.

[11:30] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much.

[11:35] Robert Bannon: Hey, how are you?

[11:36] Jonathan Burke: Good, how are you?

[11:37] Brandon: Good to see you.

[11:38] Kevin: Nice to see you.

[11:41] Robert Bannon: Tell me a little bit about what it's like for you guys tonight, here at the Chita Rivera Awards, an award show that is meant for the dancers that, I don't think they get ignored at any other award shows, but this is just for you guys.

[11:57] Jonathan Burke: Yeah, it's exciting to come to the front. I think that's what it feels like. They often call the dance ensemble Unsung Heroes, and so it's really cool to be in the midst of people who love dance, who love to celebrate dance, and the community is really strong. So it's a fun night. I love this award show.

[12:11] Kevin: Yeah, I think dancers are the lifeblood of community.

[12:43] Robert Bannon: Welcome to The Roundtable! We are live on the red carpet at the Chita Rivera Awards, celebrating the incredible talent in dance and Broadway.

[13:13] Layton Williams: It's such an honor to be here tonight, celebrating the legends of our industry.

[13:43] Sydney James Harcourt: Absolutely! The energy is electric, and it's a night to recognize the artistry that brings our stories to life.

[14:13] Jonathan Burke: I can't wait to see who takes home the awards tonight. Every nominee is so deserving.

[14:43] Sydney James Harcourt: And let's not forget the performances! The talent on this carpet is just phenomenal.

[15:13] Robert Bannon: That's right! We're going to have some amazing interviews tonight, so stay tuned for all the highlights.

[15:43] Layton Williams: I love how this event brings everyone together to celebrate the magic of theater.

[16:13] Robert Bannon: Yes! It's a night filled with glamour and inspiration.

[16:43] Jonathan Burke: And the legacy of Chita Rivera herself is such a powerful reminder of the impact of dance in storytelling.

[17:14] Sydney James Harcourt: I mean, she is a true icon!

[17:23] Robert Bannon: We’re so excited to be here and can’t wait to share all the moments with our listeners.

[17:33] Layton Williams: Let’s make some unforgettable memories tonight!

[18:03] Robert Bannon: Absolutely! The red carpet is buzzing, and we’re just getting started.

[18:13] Jonathan Burke: I hope everyone is ready for an incredible evening ahead.

[18:23] Sydney James Harcourt: The anticipation is building, and I can feel the excitement in the air!

[18:33] Robert Bannon: Stay with us as we bring you all the highlights from the Chita Rivera Awards!

[18:43] Layton Williams: Let’s celebrate the artistry and passion that makes Broadway so special.

[18:53] Robert Bannon: Yes! It’s a night for the stars, and we’re here to capture every moment.

[19:03] Jonathan Burke: I can’t wait to see who we’ll be chatting with next!

[19:13] Sydney James Harcourt: The lineup is incredible, and I’m thrilled to be part of this celebration.

[19:23] Robert Bannon: And remember, this is all about honoring the craft and the journey of these amazing artists.

[19:33] Layton Williams: Here’s to a night full of inspiration and joy!

[19:43] Robert Bannon: Let’s keep the energy going as we dive into the festivities!

[19:53] Jonathan Burke: We’re just getting warmed up, folks!

[20:03] Sydney James Harcourt: The excitement is palpable, and we’re ready for a fantastic evening.

[20:13] Robert Bannon: So, let’s keep the cameras rolling and see who we can catch up with next!

[20:23] Layton Williams: I’m ready for some fun interviews!

[20:33] Jonathan Burke: Let’s do this!

[20:43] Robert Bannon: Stay tuned for more from the Chita Rivera Awards red carpet!

[20:53] Sydney James Harcourt: It’s going to be a night to remember!

[21:03] Robert Bannon: We’ll be right back with more exciting moments!

[21:13] Layton Williams: Can’t wait to see who we meet next!

[21:23] Jonathan Burke: This is just the beginning!

[21:33] Sydney James Harcourt: Let’s keep the celebration going!

[21:43] Robert Bannon: We’re here to bring you all the glamour and excitement!

[21:53] Layton Williams: Here’s to the magic of theater!

[22:03] Robert Bannon: And to all the incredible artists who make it happen!

[22:13] Jonathan Burke: Let’s make some unforgettable memories tonight!

[22:23] Sydney James Harcourt: The energy is just amazing!

[22:33] Robert Bannon: We’re thrilled to be part of this celebration!

[22:43] Layton Williams: Here’s to a night full of inspiration!

[22:53] Robert Bannon: Stay tuned for more from the Chita Rivera Awards red carpet!

[23:03] Jonathan Burke: We’re just getting started!

[23:13] Sydney James Harcourt: Let’s keep the excitement going!

[23:23] Robert Bannon: We’ll be back with more highlights soon!

[23:33] Layton Williams: Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[23:43] Jonathan Burke: This is going to be an incredible night!

[23:53] Sydney James Harcourt: Here’s to the magic of Broadway!

[24:04] Robert Bannon: And to all the artists who inspire us every day!

[24:28] Unknown speaker: And we're actually going to get to see you dance tonight. I only got to hear you talk last time. We're going to get to see you dance tonight. You're going to get to see some of the magic that was cut from chess on Broadway. Thank you so much. Best of luck. Thank you. And we'll see you again. Thank you.

[24:44] Unknown speaker: Finally, we have a big treat for you. Rob and Gina put together an incredible collection of the highlights of the show, starting with Anne Margaret. Anne Margaret got the Lifetime Achievement Award given to her by Leslie Uggams. We have her entire speech plus highlights of other speeches and winners because they don't put this on TV. You can't see this always online, so they hooked it up for you. So if you love theater and you're looking to see what happened at the Chita Rivera Awards, we've got you covered. Anne Margaret was here. It was the first show we did post the SAG strike. I was gagged. I'm still gagged. And now you're gagged. And we're all here because Anne Margaret's here. Thank you for watching. And I look forward to it. Take a listen to all these great moments. And the best is yet to come. Join us every single day right here on the roundtable. Thank you so much. Oh, man, oh, man, a show.

[25:35] Anne Margaret: I just. This is unbelievable. Oh, I had no idea what was coming, but I'm so thrilled. Thank you so much. Thank you. You guys are great. Oh, man, oh, man, a show. I can't. I can't tell you what this feels like. It's just such a. I see that I'm eighty five now. I feel so great. Oh, what did you say? Oh, you guys are so nice. Oh, my gosh.

[26:46] Anne Margaret: Oh, good. I'm so glad that my friend here let me borrow his glasses. Yes. You're a fabulous audience. I mean, I hear the laughter. I hear the applause. I hear. What was that? Does anybody here know what that was?

[27:53] Anne Margaret: Oh, I've got some friends here tonight. I really feel good. I knew that I would. Oh, goodness. Well, OK. The first time I ever set foot in New York City, my father and my mother and I. My father took us to Radio City Music Hall. I was a little girl, newly arrived from Sweden. I was six years old, and I stood there staring at that stage with my mouth wide open and something inside of me said, this, this is what I want to do with my life. It took me a few years, but here I am. I am so moved to receive this honor and to receive it in her name. Oh, she was so great. She was just so incredible.

[29:18] Anne Margaret: Chita Rivera was, to me, the very definition of what it means to give everything you have to a stage. Every single night, without reservation, she was fire, precision, and joy all at once. There was no one like her, and there never will be. Oh, what a beautiful way to keep her spirit alive. When I was young and still finding my place in a new country, dance was the language I already knew. I couldn't always find the right words, but I could always find the rhythm. I've been lucky enough to dance in films that people still talk about and on Las Vegas stages under blazing lights and in my living room when no one was watching, which, if I'm honest, it's when I dance the best.

[33:47] Anne Margaret: I danced after injuries, after heartbreak, after a fall that should have stopped me, but you don't stop. You simply don't. Seven decades, I get, oh, I don't believe this. Has this been showing the entire time? Oh, why didn't anybody tell me? Oh, this is, that's what it was. I was turned around. I can't believe this. Of course, I always do something crazy. Hi, everybody. Man, oh, man, I shouldn't have said that. Now, please tell me, have I said this before? This is what I want to do with my life. Did I say it already? Yeah. It took me a few years, but here I am.

[34:43] Anne Margaret: Oh, I am so moved to receive this honor and to receive it in her name. Chita Rivera was, to me, the very definition of what it means to give everything you have to a stage. Every single night, without reservation, she was fire, precision, and joy all at once. There was no one like her, and there never will be. What a beautiful way to keep her spirit alive. When I was young and still finding my place in a new country, dance was the language I already knew. I couldn't always find the right words, but I could always find the rhythm. I've been lucky enough to dance in films that people still talk about on Las Vegas stages under blazing lights and in my living room when no one was watching, which, if I'm honest, is when I dance the best.

[35:54] Anne Margaret: I danced after injuries, after heartbreak, after a fall that should've stopped me. Oh, but you don't stop. Even if all I do is cry, I do not stop going. Even if all I do is cry, I don't stop. No way, you simply don't. Seven decades, I can hardly believe it myself, but when I hear music, really hear it, my feet still want to move, and that feeling has never left me. I dedicate this to every young girl who stood where she could find space and felt the music move through her. Keep moving, kid. Don't ever stop. Thank you.

[36:06] Anne Margaret: Oh, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. Thank you and God bless you all. The Rita Rivera Award for Outstanding Direction of a Dance Documentary goes to... Dick Van Dyke. Who never seems to get enough credit for all the work she puts into the Rita Rivera Awards. I also have to thank the Executive Director of the New York Dance... What's it called? American Dance Machine. My friend Nikki Atkins, who conceived Gotta Dance, and is also the co-director along with the wonderful Randy Skinner, who is just such a doll to work with. I love working with him so much.

[36:41] Isabelle McCalla: And as a matter of fact, this is the second dance show Randy and I have done together. The first one was the Irving Berlin show, and they got a dance, and who knows what the third one is going to be. Also, thank you so much to Andrew Winans and to our wonderful music director, Eugene. I love that name. I won't even try to pronounce his last name. But let me just tell you that if you haven't seen Gotta Dance, it's such a wonderful show. I'm in love with the show. I'm so proud of it, not just because it's mine. I have to go every night. Tuesday we're dark, and I'm depressed that day because it's such a fabulous show. What we do is we preserve the work. The concept is to preserve the work of some of these fabulous, incredible choreographers like Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins and Susan Stroman and Michael Bennett, and we do numbers from some of the greatest Broadway shows ever like Pippin and West Side Story and A Chorus Line.

And every single one of these numbers is exactly the way, every nuance, every movement, every gesture is the way that they were done on the original Broadway stage. So this show truly represents a piece of Broadway history, and I'm so proud of that fact. As far as, I have to just say the Douglas Watt Award, Douglas Watt of course was a prominent critic, theater critic, but he was also the music critic for the New Yorker magazine, and I have a special reason for being particularly thrilled about this award because my late husband, Robert Larimer, who was a composer and a lyricist, absolutely loved the column of Douglas Watt and read it in the New Yorker every Monday religiously. So besides this being a wonderful honor for what it is for our show, I also have an additional special reason, this has a special meaning for me personally.

So thank you from the committee, and thank you, thanks all of you for being here tonight, and I just love the Chita Rivera Awards, I go back ten years when I was the producer of Candy, which by the way is also a dance show opening this summer in Sand Harbor at Hay Street Theater. Yay! Thank you so much.

[40:08] Audience: Thank you.

[40:38] Audience: Thank you.

[41:08] Audience: Thank you.

[41:38] Audience: Thank you.

[42:08] Audience: Thank you.

[42:38] Audience: I know a fine way to treat a Steinway. Yeah, I sang I Love a Piano at all my auditions because that's the song that I learned in voice lessons when I was thirteen years old, and I was like, I want to dance in musical theater, because I had seen Pippin when I was thirteen years old, and I went, okay, that's what I want to do, that's who I am, that's who I'm going to do, and I'm going to dance for that, I don't know who it is, but I'm going to dance for that guy, because that's whoever choreographed this, Bob Fosse. And so I went, so I need to take singing lessons, because that's what you do when you're a dancer on Broadway, you have to sing, and it's all acting, so we've always been acting. And so I learned I Love a Piano, and I brought it to Broadway, and I still have that sheet music. It's so frail, because I'm really old. Thirteen was a long time ago. I just want to say something. Cheetah Rivera forever!

[44:09] Isabelle McCalla: The New York City Dance Alliance and Young Dancers meant so much to Cheetah. And so, in honor of her and her dedication, her deep dedication and love of Young Dancers, it is truly my privilege to announce the first ever Broadway's Next Triple Threat grant recipient. This is the $10,000 Cheetah Rivera training grant, which also includes a year of complimentary classes at Stems on Broadway. So this year, for the first time ever, in this envelope, is the name, I won't stretch this out. The Cheetah Rivera training grant goes to...

[45:00] Isabelle McCalla: Helen Patio.

[45:20] Audience: Woo!

[45:40] Helena Patio: Hi everyone, I'm Helena Patio. Oh my gosh, this is an incredibly full circle moment for me. Cheetah Rivera came to my 7th grade production of Bye Bye Birdie. And she made such an impression on me, and here I am accepting an award in her name. So, nothing more special. Thank you so much to my musical theater faculty at Elon University, Coupe Theater Studio for my early training, to my whole family that's here today for me, I love you so much, to my mom and dad for supporting me every step of the way, to my brother Jamie, and to my other fellow finalists, this has been the most incredible weekend with you all, you are all so talented, and to everyone involved this weekend in making it such an incredible learning experience, thank you so, so much.

[46:41] Helena Patio: Thank you.

[46:51] Isabelle McCalla: Tonight's first Cheetah Rivera Award for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show goes to...

[47:01] Isabelle McCalla: Isabel McCall!

[47:12] Audience: Woo-hoo!

[47:29] Audience: Woo-hoo!

[47:36] Isabel McCall: What? Oh my gosh, it was my name on it and everything? You know what's funny, as I walked in here, Kevin was just like, I'm just going to read your name whatever the envelope says, so... He didn't say it, but luckily it's true! Thank you.

[47:49] Isabel McCall: Wow, I am really not prepared for this, I'm going to keep it short. Dance was my first love, it was the thing that made me fall in love with this business and believe that I could have a life in the theater, and I haven't been able to do it for about 10 years, so I'm so grateful to Chris Gatelli for bringing me home. For bringing me home, whoo! And the school bar of Shmigadoon, and to my amazing company, who you just, oh my gosh, you're all so dumb, and I mean that in the best way possible, I'm inspired by you every day, in your attack to the movement and to your storytelling, you're so incredible. To my Max, my dude, we did SummerStock together 13 years ago and we're nominated together tonight, that's amazing. To Lou and Bethany who kept me sane, and to my friends who also hold me when I cry, and to Helena, I'm also a coupé girl, so that's amazing. And the last thing I will say to finish this ramble up is the only reason I'm here is because I had a dream.

[48:55] Unknown speaker: And my teacher who saw something in me and gave me a full scholarship to dance.

[48:59] Unknown speaker: So thank you to Diane Frankel for that and thank you to the Chita Rivera Awards.

[49:03] Unknown speaker: I will do my best for Robert Chita.

[49:07] Unknown speaker: The second Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Dancer goes to...

[49:13] Unknown speaker: And a Broadway show goes to...

[49:17] Unknown speaker: Robert Silkman!

[49:51] Robert Silkman: I was not expecting this at all.

[50:15] Robert Silkman: First I just want to thank God because I've been through so much.

[50:35] Robert Silkman: I just want to thank everyone.

[50:39] Robert Silkman: I just want to thank everybody.

[50:43] Robert Silkman: I can't go one by one right now because I just get emotional.

[50:47] Robert Silkman: But this is literally a dream come true.

[50:51] Robert Silkman: I want to thank everyone.

[50:55] Robert Silkman: Thank you so much for holding me down from the beginning to the end.

[50:59] Robert Silkman: Thank you so much Greg, my agent.

[51:03] Robert Silkman: MSA, my agency for continuing to see the best in me.

[51:07] Robert Silkman: And Altura Omari.

[51:11] Robert Silkman: Thank you so much.

[51:15] Robert Silkman: I graduated Juilliard in 2022.

[51:19] Robert Silkman: When I came up here my family moved me up here.

[51:23] Robert Silkman: I started in the ballroom scene in 2019.

[51:27] Robert Silkman: From there I just continued to blossom.

[51:31] Robert Silkman: Thank you to the Chita Rivera Awards for this award.

[51:35] Robert Silkman: Oh my gosh, this is so special.

[51:39] Robert Silkman: And to see all of y'all just looking at me right now.

[51:43] Robert Silkman: To just really relish and to just breathe.

[51:47] Robert Silkman: Can y'all all take a breath with me really quick?

[51:51] Robert Silkman: One, two, three.

[51:55] Robert Silkman: Catch y'all at the ballgame.

[52:03] Unknown speaker: Tonight's final Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show goes to...

[52:11] Unknown speaker: Meg Flanagan!

[52:41] Meg Flanagan: I would attempt to dance but I will split these pants.

[52:45] Meg Flanagan: Thank you so much.

[52:49] Meg Flanagan: Thank you. This is crazy.

[52:53] Meg Flanagan: I love that none of us were prepared for this.

[52:57] Meg Flanagan: I think it's because we all know each and every one of us in this category deserves this.

[53:01] Meg Flanagan: So I do share this with all of you because this is the best community ever.

[53:05] Meg Flanagan: Thank you to the Chita Rivera Awards.

[53:09] Meg Flanagan: Years ago I moved to New York with one dream and it was to dance on a Broadway stage.

[53:13] Meg Flanagan: And I've had so many incredible opportunities and experiences in countless shows.

[53:21] Meg Flanagan: And along the way I was always told to say no to the ensemble.

[53:25] Meg Flanagan: To say no to being pigeonholed into being a dancer.

[53:29] Meg Flanagan: And I'm so glad I didn't listen to them.

[53:33] Meg Flanagan: And I'm sure this is because it's done.

[53:37] Meg Flanagan: So just don't listen to that.

[53:41] Meg Flanagan: This is my 10th Broadway show and it's the first time I'm originating a role.

[53:45] Meg Flanagan: And I'm just so grateful that there are shows being written for triple threats and for characters to really exercise everything we all train to do. Christopher Gatelli, thank you for this.

[53:57] Meg Flanagan: An example of saying yes.

[54:05] Meg Flanagan: Two years ago I was going through the hardest time of my life and I got a call being asked to be in the ensemble of Schmigadoon out of town and I said yes.

[54:09] Meg Flanagan: And I did that and it changed my life and I wouldn't have been given this opportunity if it weren't for that.

[54:17] Meg Flanagan: Thank you Cinco Paul and the creative team of Schmigadoon for trusting me and taking a risk when we transferred to Broadway. It's been the gift of a lifetime.

[54:25] Meg Flanagan: I feel so lucky to live in a big, big, big Broadway musical. I don't even know what to say.

[54:33] Meg Flanagan: Thank you. This means so, so much to me and this is for every ensemble and every dancer who is dancing their faces off all around the world.

[54:41] Meg Flanagan: Woo!

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[55:41] Unknown speaker: Yes.

[55:45] Unknown speaker: And the Cheeto Award for Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show goes to...

[55:49] Unknown speaker: Okay. I'm in the suit.

[55:53] Unknown speaker: Okay. Okay. Okay.

[55:57] Unknown speaker: The winner is Christopher Cutelli of Schmigadoon.

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[58:21] Unknown speaker: I've never done this before.

[58:25] Unknown speaker: And the Cheeto Rivera Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show goes to...

[58:33] Unknown speaker: Schmigadoon!

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[59:17] Unknown speaker: Oh, this is such an amazing honor just to be among this group of people.

[59:21] Unknown speaker: Dancers are the hardest working people on Broadway, with the least amount of credit.

[59:25] Unknown speaker: And you all work so hard. Eight shows a week, you break your bodies.

[59:29] Unknown speaker: I just came from PT. We all know that well.

[59:33] Unknown speaker: Thank you, Cheeto Rivera Awards, for honoring dancers because I'm so honored to work with this group of people.

[59:41] Unknown speaker: It's so hard. There are no background actors in Schmigadoon, is what we say.

[59:49] Unknown speaker: And I believe that's true of all Broadway. There are no background actors.

[59:53] Unknown speaker: There's no small actors.

[59:57] Unknown speaker: Ensembles create the world that is the show that you're in.

[1:00:01] Unknown speaker: And without the ensemble, there would be no world.

[1:00:05] Unknown speaker: So thank you for recognizing dancers and ensembles, especially for getting the honor to do that eight times a week.

[1:00:13] Unknown speaker: I'm just in awe of all of you. Thank you, Christopher Cattelli, for giving us this amazing choreography that honors all of the greats of the Golden Age.

[1:00:21] Unknown speaker: It's just such a love letter to all of it. Thank you, Cinco Paul, for creating this beautiful town that we get to live in eight shows a week and share with people.

[1:00:33] Unknown speaker: Thank you for just passing on all of those little bits of history to us so that we can share it with the next generation and hopefully all the NYCDA Foundation kids that will soon be up here with us. Thank you so much.

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