Musical Chairs (2011)

When, Mia, a dance teacher, lands in the hospital after an accident, Armando, a would-be dancer who admires her from afar, persuades her to train for an upcoming wheelchair ballroom dancing contest.

Director:

Susan Seidelman

Writer:

Marty Madden

Stars:

Leah Pipes, E.J. Bonilla, Priscilla Lopez

6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Leah Pipes	...	Mia
E.J. Bonilla	...	Armando
Priscilla Lopez	...	Isabel
Jaime Tirelli	...	Bernardo
Laverne Cox	...	Chantelle
Nelson Landrieu	...	Wilfredo
Angelic Zambrana	...	Rosa
Morgan Spector	...	Kenny
Philip Willingham	...	Daniel
Auti Angel	...	Nicky
Jerome Preston Bates	...	Jimmy
Joey Dedio	...	Chico
Dominic Colón	...	Julio (as Dominic Colon)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joseph Basile	...	Car Accident Witness
Tommy Bayiokos	...	Ballroom Dancer

Storyline

A romantic tale of two New Yorkers, Armando Ortiz, from the Bronx, and Mia Franklin, from the Upper East Side, and their unlikely meeting. The story tells how the two of them come together through their love of ballroom dancing. Mia is a beautiful and vivacious professional dancer. Armando works at the midtown Manhattan dance studio in exchange for lessons and fantasizes of a time when he will dance with Mia. But a tragic accident forever changes Mia's life. True to his heart, Armando dedicates himself, along with a group of colorful misfits, to help Mia overcome her painful challenges and dance once more.

---

Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | dancer | dancing | ballroom dancing | dance studio | 

---

Taglines:

Everybody dances to their own beat.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and a brief drug reference

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dança das Cadeiras

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,092, 25 March 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$31,478, 19 April 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Active Fox Productions, JMC Independent Productions, The Film Community

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

(2012) Nominated for the Astaire Award for Best Feature Film.

---

Quotes

Isabel: [Mia, in panic, has tried to back out of the competition] Mia, I've seen the way my son looks at you. He loves you! When I told you that love meant letting go, I was wrong. I hope that you go back out there and dance. And more than that, I hope you win.
Mia: [Mia laughs, and is startled when Isabel takes a can of spray and sprays Mia on the cheek] What's that?
Isabel: For good luck!
[She kisses Mia on the forehead]

---

Connections

Referenced in Push Girls: Watch Me (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Lucha Por La Patria
Performed and Written by Coati Mundi Hernandez
Produced by Coati Mundi and Willie Martinez
Courtesy of Coati Mundi Productions and Rainbowphonic Music

User Reviews

Engaging and entertaining -- broadened my world

I had never heard of wheelchair dancing, but thanks to this film, I now follow these artists and athletes with great joy. I loved the film, loved the characters, enjoyed some belly laughs and came away with a bigger view of the world. The theme of tolerance and acceptance resounded with both audiences with whom I saw this film, at both the Cinema Society of San Diego, then again at the Young Leaders Film Festival at the La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego. The film was received with enthusiasm by both groups, comprised of people from teenagers to senior citizens. At the Young Leaders Film Festival, the filmmaker made a special appearance and captivated the crowd. I hope she will continue to pursue such quality projects.