Winokur, Longbottom, Burtka, Movin' Out Among 2003 TDF/Astaire Award Nominees

By Kenneth Jones
May 5, 2003

Nominees for the 2003 TDF/Astaire Awards, presented annually for the Best Dance on Broadway in the categories of Best Choreographer, Best Female Dancer and Best Male Dancer, were announced May 5, with Chita Rivera snagging a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winners will be announced 5-7 PM May 15 in a ceremony at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan. Tom Wopat will host.

The nominees are:

BEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Robert Longbottom (Flower Drum Song)
Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray)
Twyla Tharp (Movin' Out)

BEST FEMALE DANCER
Elizabeth Parkinson (Movin' Out)
Ashley Tuttle (Movin' Out)
Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray)

BEST MALE DANCER
David Burtka (Gypsy)
Keith Roberts (Movin' Out)
John Selya (Movin' Out)

Theatre legend Chita Rivera is currently starring in Broadway's Nine. She has won two Tony Awards (Kiss of the Spiderwoman and The Rink) and starred in Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, Bring Back Birdie, Merlin and Jerry's Girls.  She received a TDF/Astaire Award in 1993 for her performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman.

When notified of this year's nominees, Mrs. Fred Astaire said in a statement, "I know Fred would be delighted that his artistic achievement serves as a symbol of excellence to the immensely talented choreographers and dancers nominated for this year's awards."

The late Astaire was a Broadway star in musicals by the Gershwins, Dietz and Schwartz and Cole Porter before finding international fame in movie musicals. The awards were designed to honor Astaire and sister Adele, his stage dancing partner.

The award presenters this year include Graciela Daniele, Susan Stroman and Scott Wise. Eugene Fleming will perform.

The 2003 TDF/Astaire Awards committe included Douglas Watt, New York Daily News (emeritus) chairman; Clive Barnes, New York Post; Howard Kissel, New York Daily News; Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press; Donald McDonagh, Ballet Review; Richard Philp, Dance Magazine; Charles L. Reinhart, director of the American Dance Festival; and Linda Winer, Newsday.

For more information, visit www.tdf.org.