“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than in a roomful of dancers,” Bebe Neuwirth quoted Chita Rivera, legendary Broadway dancer, Anita in the original “West Side Story,” the star of many other classics.

At Bond 45, in a roomful of notable talent from this year’s great shows, Chita Rivera would have felt quite at home. The occasion: to announce the nominees for the Chita Rivera Award, honoring choreographers, dance ensembles, and featured dancers on stage and on screen. The Awards presentation is scheduled for May 19.

Michael Musto introduced me to Donna McKechnie, the veteran dancer of the greatest dance musical of all time, “A Chorus Line,” now on the nominating committee. Is it cheeky to ask which shows you like the most? She whispered yes, it is, and noted, she liked “Just in Time” a lot. And then, on cue, its star, Jonathan Groff, descended the stair. His role as Bobby Darin is nominated for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway show, as are the dancers for Best Ensemble in a Broadway show, and even a movie he’s in, A NICE INDIAN BOY, is nominated for Outstanding Choreography in a Feature Film. You’re the heartthrob, I venture, to wit he grins, “Imagine that.”

For Outstanding Ensemble “Just in Time” competes with “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” ‘Smash,” “Boop! The Musical,” and already a fan favorite, “Buena Vista Social Club.” Dancers Carlos Falu and Angelica Beliard enthused about their show: “Come see us backstage.” They are nominated for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway show.

Nominated choreographers, Christopher Gattelli from “Death Becomes Her” and Joshua Bergasse from “Smash” spoke to me about the challenges and joys of working on these productions. Gattelli had to work out the intricate Megan Hilty falling down a flight of stairs from the “Death” script, while Bergasse had to collaborate with the multi-TONY winning Susan Stroman, a choreographer/ director. He had created the dance for the hit television show “Smash,” and “Stro” in her role as the Broadway musical’s director merely sat on his shoulder for him to bounce ideas to. Happily, they were in sync.

I sat with a sample group from “Boop”’s ensemble: Courtney Arango, Gabriella Sorrentino, Nina LaFarga, and Lawrence Alexander, munching on pepperoni pizza and sauteed broccoli rabe. It’s hard not to exude about a musical featuring the “Patron Saint of Short Women,” as I, a short woman revere Betty Boop. “I’ll remember that,” said the star, Jasmine Amy Rogers. Did she know Betty Boop growing up? She made her mom buy her a doll when they were at Universal Studios. “She was in my life, but now she’s much more.”