Chita Rivera Awards Honor Ann-Margaret for Lifetime Achievement

by Melissa Griegel

The 2026 Chita Rivera Awards took place on May18th at NYU Skirball (566 LaGuardia Place off Washington Square Park) recognizing dance choreography excellence on stage and in film. In conjunction with the New York City Dance Alliance produced by Founder and Executive Producer/Director Joe Lanteri along with Co-Executive Producer Patricia Watt. Their 501(c)3 foundation provides grants and training to enable the next generation of dancers.

Charlotte d’Amboise, Joe Lanteri, Robyn Hurder

This year’s awards were hosted by Robyn Hurder and Charlotte d’Amboise both of whom have appeared together in Chicago on Broadway. Presenters included Bebe Neuwirth, Jessie Mueller, Priscilla Lopez, Tilly Evans-Krueger, Kevin Csolak, Robert Fairchild, Desmond Richardson, Dylis Croman, Robert Montano, and Tony Yazbeck.

Ann-Margret, 85, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with a moving introduction by Leslie Uggams. Ann-Margret was very touched to be receiving such a high accolade in the name of her much-loved friend Chita Rivera. Producer Riki Kane Larimar accepted the Douglas and Ethel Watt Critics’ Choice Award for her off-Broadway musical dance revue Gotta Dance! which celebrates classic Broadway musical dance choreography.

The Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show category is gender-free and frequently two or three dancers are recognized from a large list of nominees. Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Schmigadoon! had the most nominees this year. Schmigadoon! was the big winner of the evening, taking home awards for choreographer Christopher Gattelli, earned top honours, Max Clayton and Isabelle McCalla winning for outstanding individual performances, and the ensemble taking home the ensemble prize.

A new award was announced this year as part of the NYCDA Scholarship Program, the Chita Rivera Training Grant. The five finalists and one alternate entered the NYCDA Broadway’s Next Triple Threat talent search. The winner receives $10,000 of financial support along with one year of dance classes at NYC’s Steps on Broadway, and the finalists get $1000. The five finalists performed “Too Darn Hot” from Kiss Me Kate. The top prize went to Greta Cardoza, (19, from Milton, MA) with the finalists being Brett Barthelemy (18, from Aliquippa, PA), Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister (25, from London, England), Meghan Hoey (25, from NYC), and Helena Padial (21, from Palisades, NY), with Jordan Cruz (22, of Whittier, CA) as the alternate. All funds and proceeds from this year’s show and online auction will go towards the scholarship. You can by clicking this link: Donate Here.

Joe Lanteri and the finalists for Broadways Next Triple Threat -Brett Barthelemy, 18, Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister, 25, Greta Cardoza, 19, Meghan Hoey, 25, Helena Padial, 21

The annual event also included performances by the casts of Chess and Ragtime, Cam Loeser and the NEW Jack Cole Dancers, Michelle Aravena, Samantha Pollino, Tony D’Alelio, Nicolas King, and Jessie Mueller. Young dancers from the Patti Eisenhauser Dance Center closed out the show with a beautiful number dancing to Kander and Ebb’s song “Willkomen” from Cabaret.