Munk on Chita and Dick

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:23am

I was lucky enough to score a comp to last nights performance, and I'm so glad that I went. Seeing Dick van Dyke sing "Rosie" and "Put on a Happy Face" is entirely worth it. I grew up listening to the OBCR religiously, so it was very magical to hear them together once again.

The show is still troublesome and slightly clunky, but she is even better than she was when I saw it over a month ago, and this time, I found the show very, very moving. It makes me wish that I had been around to see these legendary performances that she talks about.

So, if you can - tonight is his last performance - I highly suggest going to see the show. He's only on stage for about 5 minutes, but it is completely worth it.

Just wanted to share!

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:34am

I saw the matinee yesterday. and he was amazing. he has aged really well, and can still do the "Dick van dyke" dance that he does. Chita and he had so much chemistry together. they did a little dance, and Dick messed up. so after much applause, Chita said "do you want to do it again?" and Dick said "what, you mean the right way?" he was wonderful. I agree with Munk that the show does have its troublesome spots, but it also has some very nice moments that work very well. I felt that I was in the presence of two theatre greats and will treasure this experience forever.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:39am

They did the exact "mess up" last night as well.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 1:27pm

oh, so now I don't feel special anymore. thanks for ruining my entire life, Munk!!!

did Chita wipe any tears from her face when the segment was done? then I would feel really cheated.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 2:08pm

Tuesday, they screwed up the dance steps. Matinee, Mister Van Dyke went a little too far upstage and bumped the scenery. When the reprise was suggested, Chita asked him if he could avoid the set this time.
So.
On the reprise, as they crossed upstage, DVD reached back and quite deliberately whacked the scenery. Very funny. The man still has his impeccable sense of timing.
All this to say, your experience WAS unique, Pippin. None of their adlibs are scripted. It's just a funny line, it worked, two old pros knew old tricks work best, so they used it again when they screwed up again.

I'll second Munk to say that if you can possibly catch tonight's show, do it. It's an amazing bit of theatre.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 3:22pm

Was the shows sold out? Do I have a chance at scoring rush or standing room tickets for tonight?

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 3:27pm

half of the balcony was empty yesterday at 2

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 3:31pm

Rush is ALWAYS an option at Chita.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 3:44pm

it was on tkts last night.

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 6:12pm

And you're likely to get decent seats at TKTS. I sat 4th row center on Sat mat. but got my tix two weeks ago through the Theatermania discount. THe people one row behind me, got theirs at TKTS for $54. They were psyched. I wish I could have seen DVD though.
But I'm glad I got in after they added America. I can't believe that wasn't a part of the show since the beginning.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:58pm

I saw Thursday night's performance, and DVD did all the bits mentioned above but also threw in a lyric mistake that, Chita explained afterwards, had been made by Dick's understudy the first time he went on with Chita in Birdie. Wonderful, fresh, and very, very genuine. What a treasure Chita is, and what a great person Dick Van Dyke is.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:37am

Was there tonight also. The show is fabulous.

Chita is just stunning, words can't express.

DVD was great. The lyric mistake was cute. Chita loved it. A great memory for both of them.


DVD also signed for everyone at the stage door tonight! Something I heard he didn't do his opening night. He was very nice. Chita ofcourse is an absolute doll. Updated On: 1/27/06 at 01:37 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 2:23am

I actually stage doored CHITA tonight to get DVD to sign my original BYE BYE BIRDIE playbill - well worth the cold!

And all of these supposed "Ad libs" seem to have happened at all 4 shows...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 10:34am

Chita and DVD both signed my Bye Bye Birdie CD cover...it is now one of my most prized possesions (and it is also the first cast recording I ever bought).

[Sluggy]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 2:49pm

Hey, dancinfan, do you remember what the messed-up lyric was?

[seymour krelborn]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 3:03pm

sluggy,
I was there last night and what he "messed up" seemed like jumbled words, I don't think it was anything specific. he sang "put on a hboba aaah" then he and Chita explaiend how it was a joke between themselves. When he was out one night his understudy went on and forgot the lyrics and made something up the wasn't understandable. Thats what I understood.

Oh and by the way was anyone on the right side of stage door after the show last night, what was up with that really rude woman telling everyone that worked for the theater and with DVD to move because he wasn't going to come sign things. Of course he was he just went to the other side first! sorry for the rant, people like that get me crazy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:23pm

I was on that side, but don't recall that woman.

I was right behind the bars. Like the first person. There was a guy there with a suitcase of autographs that he obviously sells, and he was there to get DVD's. It was very annoying. Once he left, I got right to the front for Chita.

Chita signed my original CHICAGO program. So exciting.

Oh and who else saw John Tartaglia?

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:51pm

omg...that woman drove me up a wall! I was so ready to bust out some manner lessons on her. She started telling the rest of the cast to move out of the way and god-bless the cast member who was like "hold on...he'll come". Anyways, Dick was amazing and Chita, always an honor!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:56pm

Was the lady short and had a hat or something on?

I remember some guy shouting VIRGINIA over and over again. lol.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 5:55pm

Yeah she had a hat on and was short and kinda chubby. Totally rude.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 6:26pm

I think what should have been "Slap on a happy grin" came out "Put on a suvah day."

Tartaglia was in the third row center orchestra having a ball.

There were so many late-60s-era gentlemen there, who I have to assume are friends and/or fans of DVD and/or Chita. It was really great. And there were a lot of them around me marveling at the fact that so many people in the audience had actually heard of Jack Cole, Buzz Miller, Peter Gennaro, and Carol Haney. They were thrilled to be there, as was I. A great night at the theatre!