The Theatrical Index lists the new work will come to Broadway in November aiming for a December opening at a Shubert theatre to be announced. West Egg Entertainment and The Producer Circle Co. will produce.
Terrence McNally, Graciela Daniele and the titular stage legend herself combine their talents on the new stagework, which is slated to make its world premiere at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, Sept. 10-Oct. 23.
The Dancer's Life is billed as "a new musical celebrating the life and career of one of America's most beloved stage performers." Rivera's constant collaborators join her on the work. Four-time Tony Award winner McNally pens the work while Daniele directs and choreographs.
The "tour through famous numbers in the American musical theatre" will feature works by such great talents as Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd as well as new songs by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The production will feature an ensemble cast of ten who recreate some of Rivera's memorable Broadway performances in Bye, Bye Birdie ("Shriner's Ballet"), West Side Story ("America" and "Dance at the Gym"), Chicago ("All That Jazz") and Kiss of the Spider Woman (the title song).
The design team will feature Loy Arcenas (set), Toni Leslie James (costumes) with Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting). 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree Rivera has earned two Tony Awards for Leading Actress in a Musical for her work in The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman The legend last appeared on Broadway opposite Antonio Banderas in the Tony Award-winning revival of Nine. Among her other numerous credits include Call Me Madam, Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Bajour, Sweet Charity, Jerry’s Girls and Zorba.
Production spokesperson could not be reached at press time. No formal Broadway announcement has been made. Among the Shubert houses unclaimed at the moment are the Belasco, Cort, Ethel Barrymore, Lyceum — whose current tenant, Steel Magnolias, ends its run July 31 — and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (formerly Royale) — which houses Glengarry Glen Ross through Aug. 28.
