Quintessential America: Chita Rivera And All That Jazz
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, here's a legendary entertainer who's the epitomizes the best in America: Chita Rivera.
Is there any doubt as to why she's a certifiable nationaltreasure?!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
It was 234 years ago today that America's Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. The revolutionary document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 went through many drafts and indeed, historians now say he even changed it by altering one key word from "subjects" to "citizens."
But one thing that never changed what was that document was all about: three inalienable rights.
Life.
Liberty.
The pursuit of Happiness.
Although the Declaration of Independence came several years before the U.S. Constitution and its subsequent Bill of Rights, that cherished parchment paved the way for the freedoms contained in the First Amendment that every American should hold dear, yet too often takes for granted: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom to peaceably assemble.
Thanks to those freedoms and our inalienable rights, live theatre remains a vibrant force within our culture. With the dialogue it fosters, our society is rich. Where else, but America, would our founders enshrine the notion of Life, Liberty and the pursuit ofHappiness?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Every day, we must work hard to protect our freedoms.
Thankfully, the arts serve as a strong bulwark in our line of defense in protecting our freedoms. We may not always agree with the messages art conveys, but the inherent beauty within freedom of expression is that it can and often does challenge us. I shudder to think what our nation would be like if we were all required to think the same thing or only avail ourselves of government-approved press, literature, theatre, movies and television.
The arts do more than just entertain, they propel us further as a people.
Contributions from the arts and the dialogue they inspire over what it means to be an American make me extraordinarily proud to be one. I believe that the performing arts can and will continue to inspire, but only if we continue to steadfastly ensure it is allowed to do so freely.
Happy birthday, America!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
In observance of this, the 232nd birthday for the United States of America, I'm taking this national holiday off.
But if you're in New York and feeling particularly patriotic, yet still wish to see a great Broadway show, here are my picks for the shows that will make you proud to be an American:
In The Heights - What could be better than a Tony-winning Best Musical that celebrates the incredible melting pot that is America? And with its first act showstopping number "The Club/Fireworks" that specifically celebrates Independence Day, this is a quintessential American musical. (Ironically, this show is dark on July 4, but it's open for business the rest of the holiday weekend.)
August: Osage County - Finally, a contemporary American play that's both a critical and commercial success. And Time magazine's top play of the past year. And a Pulitzer Prize winner. And the winner of the Tony for Best Play. Playwright Tracy Letts summed it up best in his acceptance speech by noting wryly about its producers, "They did an amazing thing. They decided to produce an American play on Broadway with theatre actors." Amen. (The July 4 performance begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT.)
Hairspray - John Waters' 2003 Tony Award-winning Best Musical remains, in essence, a glorious paean to the American spirit and ability to right itself. Despite its 1962 setting, it remains a hopeful show for our nation's very future. (The July 4 performance begins at 3:00 p.m. EDT.)
South Pacific - As we continue to lose the last of our "greatest generation," this gorgeous Tony Award-winning Best Revival of a Musical reminds us why these heroic men and women are held in such high esteem historically. This ultimate All-American Rodgers and Hammerstein tuner may just make you want to stand up and cheer. (The July 4 performance begins at 8:00 p.m. EDT.)
Thurgood - There's one Broadway show that not only honors one of the 20th Century's most important patriots, but it serves as an excellent history lesson, too. This riveting one-man show respects the achievements of our nation's first African-American Supreme Court Justice and his enormous contributions toward racial equality and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. (The July 4 performance begins at 8:00 p.m. EDT.)
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
