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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

Everybody dances to their own beat.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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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

(2013) Won six awards at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, including Best Feature, Best Actress in a Feature (Leah Pipes), and Best Supporting Actress in a Feature (Laverne Cox).

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Quotes

Isabel: You want to end up like your Uncle Wilfredo? A dreamer? Alone?
Wilfredo: I heard that.
Armando: Mami, please, I'm not going to end up alone.

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Connections

Featured in Push Girls: Breaking Back In (2012)

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Soundtracks

Sex Bomb
by Mousse T. and Errol Rennolls
Sung by Tom Jones
Heard during the dance competition sequence

User Reviews

This is a wonderful, uplifting and enjoyable movie

I fully enjoyed this movie. It is especially uplifting during the holidays which can be a rough emotional time for many. This story gives us some perspective on how hard life can be for many. Although this beautiful love story encounters elements of tragedy, the plot is realistic with a current NYC feel. The actors face adversity and push on as it leaves you with a positive feeling and helps you to remember that in life, as Armando's father says "when you are old...its the struggles you miss the most". I always enjoyed watching dance movies. I have two left feet and perhaps can aspire to live vicariously through others that dance well. I promise you will enjoy your two hour investment of time. There is a little something in this movie for everyone. The cinematography was great and music stimulating. The storyline and plot was constantly moving and I was left wanting more. Great performances by the actors especially a personal favorite of mine, Laverne Cox.