Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
A theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents, Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. A versatile actress/singer/dancer, her most recent starring roles include The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway; the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood; the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer’s Life, a dazzling musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas. She trained as a ballerina (from age nine) before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Chita’s first appearance (age 17) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story brought her stardom, which she repeated in London. Her career is highlighted by starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink (Tony Award), Chicago, Jerry’s Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award), and the original Broadway casts of Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven and Mr. Wonderful. On tour: Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Can-Can with The Rockettes. Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009 and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. In 2019, Chita performed her solo concert at London’s Cadogan Hall; in 2018 she was honored as a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy; in 2016 she headlined at Carnegie Hall and in 2015, Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ To Do, a retrospective of her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS. Her current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing.
From: Photos: Go Inside BroadwayWorld's Star-Studded 20th Anniversary Celebration
From: Photo Flash: Inside The 25th Anniversary TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
From: Photo Flash: Chita Rivera Joins The League Of Professional Theatre Women's for ORAL HISTORY
From: Photo Flash: Chita Rivera Joins The League Of Professional Theatre Women's for ORAL HISTORY
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Chita RiveraThe Visit
Chita Rivera, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita Rivera , Nine
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita RiveraKiss of the Spider Woman, The Musical
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Chita Rivera, Jerry's Girls
Chita Rivera, The Rink
Chita Rivera, The Rink
Chita Rivera, Merlin
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Chicago
Chita Rivera , Bye Bye Birdie
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 24, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 23, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Oh, how Tommy moves! In this video, check out an electrifying look at Lorin Latarro's choreography in the newly reimagined Broadway production of The Who’s TOMMY.
Broadway stars Bebe Neuwirth and Vanessa Williams join forces to announce the 2024 Drama League Nominees, marking a significant event in the theatre industry.
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
In this video, watch as Grammy, Emmy, and Tony nominee Vanessa Williams and Bebe Neuwirth co-host the 2024 Drama League Awards Nominations announcement from the Lincoln Center’s New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. You can watch the live stream exclusively here at BroadwayWorld.
Previews begin tonight, April 24, for Illinoise, the theatrical adaptation of Grammy- and Oscar-nominated Sufjan Stevens’ concept album Illinois. Performances will continue through August 10 at the St. James Theatre. Meet the cast of Illinoise here!
Drag icon and award-winning singer and comedienne Varla Jean Merman is set to bring her new show Stand By Your Drag to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood for one show only on Tuesday, April 23, at 8:30pm, it was announced by Catalina and Chris Isaacson Presents.
The Winehouse Experience, starring acclaimed singer Mia Karter, paying musical tribute to Grammy Award-winning singer Amy Winehouse, has been set for Oscar's Palm Springs on Wednesday, April 17, at 7pm, and Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Sunday, April 21, at 7:30pm, it was announced by Chris Isaacson Presents, Oscar's, and Catalina.
Brooklyn’s The Sultan Room will soon feature John Riddle in his newest solo show “Blue Lady' on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Tony Award-winning Broadway, film and TV legend Betty Buckley, and Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and singer Darren Criss will headline Town Hall performances as part of a revived and expanded Broadway music series produced by the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artist John McDaniel and presented by Post Office Cafe & Cabaret and Tin Pan Alley.
Join the Boston Conservatory at Berklee as they honor three-time Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze and internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lar Lubovitch at their commencement ceremony on May 11.
Discover the winners of the 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, celebrating excellence in the Boston theater scene. Stay updated with BroadwayWorld's latest news.
Six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Provincetown with SiriusXM Radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, this Memorial Day Weekend. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for cabaret, comedy, drag shows and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including Patti LuPone, tributes to Chita Rivera and more.
Follow along on our Instagram story as Irish Repertory Theatre actors AJ Shively and David McElwee take you behind the scenes of Philadelphia, Here I Come!
54 BELOW will present a special edition of Backstage Babble Live celebrating the iconic wall of Broadway flop posters at Joe Allen Restaurant. Learn how to purchase tickets.
The full cast has been announced for the Broadway Center Stage production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Kennedy Center. Find out who is joining the cast of the musical here!
In addition to cocktails in a glamorous setting, another beautiful gourmet dinner, live music, an auction, a raffle and other moments of merriment, there was heart, 'Miles And Miles and Miles of Heart.'
Chita Rivera has appeared on Broadway in 22 shows.
Chita Rivera has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.
Chita Rivera's first West End show was West Side Story which opened in 1958
Chita Rivera has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tony Awards. She has also received nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in "The Visit," as well as the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for the same production. Rivera has garnered nominations for various other accolades, such as the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Helen Hayes Awards, and Theatre World Awards, for her outstanding performances in productions like "Nine," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Chicago," and many more.
Chita Rivera has won several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for "The Visit," the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Theatre World Awards, the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical from the Helen Hayes Awards for "The Visit," and the Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for "Nine." She has also received The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, the Best Actress - Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," the Outstanding Actress - Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. Additionally, Chita Rivera has won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," the Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rink," and another Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award for "The Rink."
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