For the first time in the history of Theatre Development Fund's (TDF) Astaire Awards, there are two winners listed for Best Female Dancer. Both Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking are to be honored at this year's 16th Annual awards benefit for their work in the Chicago revival. Reinking also gets Best Choreographer honors. Each Broadway season, the Astaire Awards recognizes outstanding achievements by a dancer or dancers in this case and a choreographer. Savion Glover took the award last year for both Best Choreographer and Best Male Dancer for his footwork in Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk and Donna McKechnie, for State Fair, received Best Female Dancer honors. Other Astaire Award winners -- dancer and choreographers alike -- include Debbie Allen, Michael Bennett, Wayne Cilento, Charles "Honi" Coles, Don Correia, Natalia Makarova, Charlotte D'Amboise, Bob Fosse, Gregory Hines, Chita Rivera, Jerome Robbins, Susan Stroman and Tommy Tune.
The bronze and marble statuette will be bestowed at a benefit luncheon on May 29 at the Hudson Theatre in NYC. Scheduled to appear are former Astaire Award winners Tommy Tune, Savion Glover and Donna McKechnie. Chicago co-star, James Naughton will emcee the event while Mrs. Fred Astaire will introduce a special collection of film clips honoring her husband. For ticket information call (212) 221-0885 ext. 209.
