Old Globe to Debut Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life & Tharp's Dylan Project

The Old Globe's 2005-2006 season will be highlighted by the world premiere of two major pre-Broadway musicals: Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life and the as-yet-untitled collaboration between Twyla Tharp and Bob Dylan.

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life will not be in the traditional solo show format, instead it will feature an ensemble of 10 performers. Written by Terrence McNally and directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, the piece promises to celebrate not only Rivera, but also the great choreographers of the Broadway stage, including Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion and Michael Kidd. The show was expected to premiere at another California venue, the Ahmanson Theatre. However that mounting was canceled when the New York producing team led by Marty Bell could not complete capitalization in time for the show's scheduled June run at the venue. A summer run at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts was also cancelled. Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life is now scheduled to run at the Old Globe from September 10 through October 23 in preparation for a spring Broadway berth.

The Tharp/Dylan project will play from January 25 through March 5. Little is known about the show's storyline, but the project will tell its tale through Dylan songs and dance. It may be somewhat similar in structure to Tharp's Movin' Out, a currently running Broadway hit that features the songs of Billy Joel. An official San Diego opening is scheduled for February 2.

The Old Globe Theatre 2005-2006 will also feature Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife, Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on the mainstage. In the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, the Globe will present Dakin Matthews' The Prince of L.A., Max Branscomb's La Pastorela, Harry Kondoleon's Christmas on Mars, Joanna McClelland Glass's Trying and Lee Blessing's A Body of Water.