Maria Tallchief

Her Ruby Shoe Moment Maria Tallchief was breathing hard as she took a deep bow.  When she looked up she noticed that the entire audience was standing. She could actually feel the applause, since it shook the stage slightly. And she realized that she just gave the performance of a lifetime.  It was November 27, 1949 — opening night of … Read More

Rita Moreno

Her Ruby Shoe Moment On a summer day in June 1976, actress Rita Moreno found herself on a soundstage in England singing the song “Fever.” She was accompanied by members of the band Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem. The musicians were puppets, with the wildest one being the drummer, Animal. They were taping an episode of Jim Henson’s new … Read More