Chita Rivera: A Legend's Career In Her Own Words

Chita Rivera is coming to Philadelphia's Bristol Riverside Theatre on September 23-25 to present Chita RIvera: My Broadway. Accompanied by her longtime musical trio and led by musical director Michael Croiter, it will be a night of some of the most celebrated songs of her legendary career.

Anyone who knows of Rivera knows that narrowing down which songs to present for this type of career retrospective is a feat in itself. She has played an integral part in an astounding 17 Broadway shows, which has earned her nine Tony nominations (and two wins!) for her performances in "The Rink" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman".

In addition to numbers from those two shows, Rivera will be performing selections from "West Side Story", "Sweet Charity", "Chicago", "Bye Bye Birdie", and other music from iconic composers such as Leonard Bernstein, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Charles Strouse, Stephen Sondheim, and Cy Coleman. To say that this is a must-see event in Philadelphia theater would be understating the impact that this world-wide superstar has had.

Chita Rivera is much more than a Broadway legend. She is a figurehead in the world of dance and theater, with her influence pushing beyond the stage into movies, music, and television. Along with Tony Award wins and nominations, she has been awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 for her work in dance (the first Hispanic woman to receive it!), two Drama Desk Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.

And for good reason! At the age of 15, Rivera was a strong enough talent to be admitted into the School of American Ballet. Shortly after leaving school, she took part in early productions of "Guys & Dolls" and "Can-Can", and her work there led to her being cast in the acclaimed original cast of "West Side Story" as Anita.

Her career took off from there. Rivera went on to star in such shows as the original cast of "Chicago", "The Rink" with Broadway superstar Liza Minnelli, and "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Even a severe injury in 1986 could not stop Rivera from becoming increasingly popular in the theater community, as she went on to take part in productions in "Nine", "The Visit", and the film adaptation of "Pippin".

She recently starred in "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life", a revue focusing on her many accomplishments in musical dance. Her stellar performance in this production earned her one of her Tony nominations, and did a spectacular job in showcasing how special Rivera really was in American theater history.

This new production coming to Philly will present a similar showing of Chita's many vocal achievements. EDGE had the opportunity to speak with Chita about what fans can expect from the show, how it differs from her previous career retrospective, and what some of her fondest memories from her distinguished Broadway career are.

EDGE: This is a collection of some of your favorite songs...but what can people expect from the night?

Rivera: Well, you know that was an amazing time in the theater; they even call it the Golden Age. During that time, just about every theater on Broadway had a hit in it, and they were just amazing musicals, amazing dancers and songs and scripts. I was fortunate enough to be there, and fortunate enough to work for these amazing people in these brilliant shows, and if you're that lucky, you want to keep sharing it.

I have always loved doing it, so you can expect things from "Kiss of the Spider Woman", "Chicago", "The Rink" and all of the many shows I have been in, and stories to go along with those songs. It's just some fun music; I have a wonderful time, and I want my audience to have the same. The night is really about bringing back memories, and making new memories about the theater.

EDGE: Sounds amazing! You have been on tour with this show for about a year; what inspired you to do a show like this?

Rivera: Yes...and we've been changing arrangements and songs. But you know, I don't really count how long I've been doing it.... Recently I've been doing a fabulous gay cruise called Atlantis, and it has been the most fabulous time. You must go; it is so beautifully run, and everyone is just so swell and there to have a good time.

The food, the destinations...everyone is just so excited to be apart of the Atlantis cruise, and it has been just an amazing thing to be a part of. I've done about six or seven of them, and the first line out of my mouth is always, "If you're not having fun doing this cruise, then call your doctor."

EDGE: A few years ago, you starred in "The Dancer's Life", which essentially told your life's story in the theater. What would you say is the biggest difference between that show and this one?

Rivera: Oh my gosh, it's not exactly night and day, but first of all, that's the theater, and so it has a theater feeling. I had about 10 dancers, and a huge orchestra, and it had a narration of when a young girl came out as a young me, and then moved through my life in a much more in-depth manner.

This is much more intimate, and it's different because it is a little more personal. I can look in the audience's eyes. You know, you get a completely different feeling in a big theater vs a small place where you just can't get out of there and everything can be seen...it is more like being between a small dinner party verses a big dinner party. You feel the same for both, but the experience on both sides is much different.

EDGE: Since this show is a look back on your Broadway career, I just wanted to ask you a little bit about some of your past experiences. What was the favorite show you ever took part in, and why?

Rivera: You know, I am always asked about this, and I can never tell you what the favorite is. I mean...when I came up in that elevator in "Chicago", in that HUGE elevator with the big set and the short skirt and you just slowly walk down the stage...that is still the best entrance I have ever seen.

There are moments in every show that are just killer...so I can't tell you which one was my favorite because I insist on having a good time with every show I do, and every single show has turned out to be so spectacular. You know, "Spider Woman" was just stupid and fabulous, "West Side Story" had that show-stopper America.

I found the good time in every show because you know, if I want to die, I don't want to die in a bad place, I want to die somewhere I'm having fun. You want to leave each show with good memories, and I gotta tell you Andrew, I am just loaded with good memories from these shows.

EDGE: You've worked with a veritable Who's Who in musical theater. Who has had the biggest effect on your and your career?

Rivera: I guess I would have to say Kander & Ebb and Terrence McNally (the writer of "A Dancer's Life") They've given me my successes -- well, most of them -- and they really know who I am and write brilliantly for me. There is a new show that we hope to get on Broadway that we did in Chicago and Virginia called "The Visit", and it's a fabulous challenge. It is just really dark, but passionate and funny at the same time.

EDGE: Are there any roles that you regret not having played, whether it be one you may have auditioned for or one that you saw on stage and just really made you want to play it?

Rivera: I would love to play Edith Piaf, but that has been done. I would also love to play Marlene Dietrich...I have always loved her. But no, there are no parts that I have auditioned for that I really loved that I didn't get. In fact, many years ago I did the first Marilyn Monroe imitation for "Six String Revue", and Mike Stewart ("Bye Bye Birdie", "Hello, Dolly!") wrote this great skit on Marilyn Monroe and I auditioned for that part, and I got it at first, but they wanted someone who was more the Marilyn type.

But the designer grabbed me, took me to the studio, put me in a blond wig and a dress, took me right back there on the stage. I auditioned again, and I got it! It's always a great success story for someone who has been told they can't do something.

EDGE: As you said, you've been doing this show for quite a while now and I know a tour like this can be quite a lot of work...but do you have any plans for what happens next, or any upcoming projects?

Rivera: We are hoping to get "The Visit" on. Also, I am doing a reading for a show that could be a lot of fun. There is only a reading on it right now, and it is a take on "Zorro", and it really could be a lot of fun for everyone involved. But yes, "The Visit" is the main piece we want to get on the stage.

EDGE: Sounds exciting! I am sure all of your fans will see how much work has gone into this show. Chita, I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. It has been an honor, and I can't wait to see the show!

Catch "Chita Rivera: My Broadway" September 23-25 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. For info or tickets call 215-785-0100 or visit brtstage.org