The hosts and performers for the evening — titled Gotta Dance! A Dance Tribute to Hollywood — are scheduled to include Sandra Brown, Leslie Browne, George Chakiris, Marge Champion, Cyd Charisse, Arlene Dahl, Jacques d'Amboise, David Elder, Karen Lynn Gorney, Cynthia Gregory, Maurice Hines, Kate Levering, Mary Tyler Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, Fayard Nicholas, Marni Nixon, Robert Osborne, Elizabeth Parkinson, Rosie Perez, Jane Powell, Lynn Redgrave, Ann Reinking, Keith Roberts, Donald Saddler, John Selya, Russ Tamblyn, Esther Williams and the Williams Brothers. The one-night only event will also boast dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Complexions, Les Ballets Grandiva, New York City Ballet, National Dance Institute and The Royal Ballet.
The 7 PM entertainment will pay tribute to the memorable dance moments created for such Hollywood films as “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Red Shoes,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “West Side Story,” “Sweet Charity,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “The Turning Point.” The gala will also feature a few world premieres created specially for the Oct. 27 benefit.
Highlights will include Movin Out's John Selya, who will perform a piece titled "Saturday Night Fever" choreographed by Andy Blankenbeuhler. David Elder will perform a tribute to dancing couples choreographed by Artie Phillips, and Randy Skinner has choreographed a finale that will boast Kate Levering and two-dozen Broadway gypsies performing "Hooray for Hollywood" with vocalist Marni Nixon.
The evening will also include the presentation of an award to Turner Entertainment Company for its support of dance, and Cyd Charisse will receive the Movado Dance Award to honor her contributions to the dance world.
Career Transition for Dancers, founded in 1985, helps dancers establish new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its inception, the organization has helped over 2,500 professional dancers begin new careers. For more information about CTFD, visit www.careertransition.org. Tickets for Gotta Dance! A Dance Tribute to Hollywood are priced at $550 and $1,000, which includes the City Center performance (131 West 55th Street) and a post-performance black-tie supper with the stars at Cipriani 42nd Street. For tickets or more information, call Michael Weiss or Gary Tigner at Weiss Creative Group, (212) 582-6690. Performance-only tickets — priced $45, $55, $70 and $95 — are available by calling (212) 581-1212.
