CHITA BEGINS BROADWAY PREVIEWS

At last! For details see Chita Rivera: the Dancer's Life

CHITA & CAST GIVE GYPSIES A PREVIEW

On November 22, 2005, Chita and the Chita Rivera: the Dancer's Life company gave the Broadway community a look at their show with an invitation only run through. Liza Minnelli, Harvey Fierstein, Rosie O'Donnell, Carole Cook, Huey Lewis, Luba Mason, Bebe Neuwirth, Sherie Rene Scott, Jai Rodriguez, Andrea McArdle , and a throng of lucky others attended. For fab pix by Bruce Glikas, see http://www.broadway.com.

CHITA AND DAVID HYDE PIERCE TO LIGHT BROADWAY HOLIDAY TREE

November 9, 2005 -- Chita and David Hyde Pierce (star of Broadway's Spamelot) will flip the switch to light the 2005 Broadway Holiday Tree on December 7th at 5 p.m. in New York's Father Duffy Square. The event will also feature the cast of Altar Boyz singing "What Christmas Is…" by show composer Gary Adler. The tree will be a 25-foot Douglas Fir, decorated with ornaments representing every show currently playing on and off-Broadway.

WHITE WEBB TO DESIGN CHITA'S BROADWAY DRESSING ROOM

October 22, 2005 -- Matthew White and Frank Webb, of interior design firm, White Webb, LLC have been asked to transform the star dressing room at Broadway's Shoenfeld theater into a “home away from home” for Chita. The show's producers chose to commission White Webb to design a one-of-a-kind oasis as a tribute to their special leading lady. Having seen the designers' work at this year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House, the producers fell in love with their witty design and creative management of small spaces. Needing both in spades, the producers were convinced that White and Webb were the right men for the job.

To prep for their assignment, White and Webb traveled to San Diego to see a preview of the show and meet Ms. Rivera. Her only requests were for a warm color palette and some space for her beloved dog, Casper. Determined to give her something much more, the designers got to work.

When the show opens, Ms. Rivera's dressing room will have been transformed into a warm haven of creams and golds. With custom cabinetry and upholstery, the small room will be outfitted for maximum function and maximum style. As an added bonus, the designers will have created a swank entertaining space for her guests, which they have nicknamed “Chita's Barre.” With friends and admirers gathering for chilled champagne and warm embraces, Chita's Barre is certain to be the new hot spot in town.

About White Webb, LLC
With offices in New York and California, White Webb focuses on the design of high-end residential interiors and home furnishings. Rather than specialize in a particular style or period, the firm espouses genuine eclecticism, which can be evidenced by its wide range of design projects and expanding product lines. Inspired by classical design and architecture, the team seeks innovative ways to translate those elements into fresh and timeless designs suited for modern living.

For more information, please contact 212-889-2900 or visit the firm's website: http://www.whitewebb.com .

CHITA TO APPEAR IN TONY WALTON TRIBUTE

Chita will be on hand when designer Tony Walton is honored by the York Theatre Company with the 15th annual Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement on Monday, June 6, 2005. The award is given as part of a gala concert evening for the York's annual spring benefit. In addition to Chita, the program promises to feature Ben Vereen, Judd Hirsch, Tony Walton, Veanne Cox, Emma Walton, Kate Burton, Cady Huffman, Nancy Hess, and others. The evening concludes with a cast party dessert reception.

Tony Walton's designs for Broadway include Bob Fosse's original production of Chicago starring Chita and Gwen Verdon.

The York Theatre Gala will be held at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Hotel, 145 West 44th Street, New York City. Cocktails and Dinner begin at 6:00pm; the Concert performance and Awards Ceremony begins at 8 p.m., to be followed by a dessert reception. For information and reservations, call 212 867-1117.

CHITA IN CLEVELAND
Chita will step in for Sandy Duncan a the Cleveland Play House annual benefit on Saturday, May 14, 2005. While a family emergency led Duncan to cancel, Chita will perform her cabaret show, "And Now I Sing," in the Bolton Theatre at The Play House complex at 8500 Euclid Avenue, Saturday, May 14, 2005. The evening, 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., will include complimentary valet parking, a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, grand dessert buffet, silent and live auctions, and entertainment.
The Cleveland Play House is the oldest resident regional theater in the United States.
Tickets are priced from $250 to $1000.

For further information or to purchase tickets/tables, call The Cleveland Play House at (216) 795-7000 ext. 229, or see http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/releases/release.asp?key=20050506ii

CHITA TO RECEIVE 2005 MAYOR'S AWARD

Chita is one of nine individuals or organizations to receive New York City's 2005 Mayor's Award for Arts and Culture. Established in 1976, the award was discontinued after 1994, but was revived by Mayor Bloomberg last year. In addition to Chita, the other honorees this year are: Wynton Marsalis, Billy Collins, the Annenberg Foundation, Deutsche Bank, the Ghetto Film School, Waverly School of the Arts principal Oswaldo Malave, Department of Education local instructional superintendent Martha Rodriguez-Torres and Brooklyn Botanic Garden's president and chief executive Judith D. Zuk. The recipients will receive their awards at Gracie Mansion.

CHITA ATTENDS BOBBY SHORT TRIBUTE

According to the New York Times, Chita was among the more than 100 of Bobby Short's friends and musical colleagues who packed the Cafe Carlyle on Tuesday evening, May 3, 2005, to pay tribute to the singer and pianist who died March 21. Mr. Short, who was 80, would have opened his 37th spring season at the cafe on Tuesday. The Times reports that "the celebration, organized by the Carlyle Hotel with his friend Lisa Schiff, had the happy-sad atmosphere of an opening-night party whose ebullience was muted by the guest of honor's conspicuous absence." Mr. Short did not want a memorial, so the event was dubbed 'a family gathering,' said Bob Nahas, one of Mr. Short's oldest friends and an executor of his estate, who spoke near the end of the evening.
The celebration began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the hotel in the Versailles Room, where Peter Duchin played piano; it continued with a dinner of asparagus vinaigrette and chicken hash at the cafe, followed by music and reminiscences. In addition to Chita, the guests included Barbara Carroll, Barbara Cook, Tony Bennett, Elaine Stritch, Diahann Carroll, Jessye Norman, Dominick Dunne, Bill Charlap, Margaret Whiting and Marti Stevens.

CHITA IN ENCOMPASS NEW OPERA TRIBUTE TO JOHN KANDER

Chita Chita will be among the stars on hand when Encompass New Opera Theatre pays tribute to the work of John Kander at the company's benefit gala on May 15, 2005 at the National Arts Club. Other performers on the roster include: Marin Mazzie, Debra Monk, James Naughton, Richard Thomas and Karen Ziemba. Hal Prince will offer introductory remarks, and the Honorary Chair for the evening is Sheldon Harnick.
Under artistic director Nancy Rhodes, Encompass New Opera Theatre is dedicated to "creating, developing and producing imaginative productions of new music theatre and contemporary opera." Tickets for the Kander evening are $250 and can be purchased by calling (718) 398-4675 or by emailing encompassopera@yahoo.com. The National Arts Club is located in Manhattan at 15 Gramercy Park South. The event begins at 6 p.m.

CHITA HEADS TO SAN DIEGO WITH HER NEW SHOW THIS FALL

"Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life," the long anticipated show about the life and career of Chita Rivera to be performed by the legendary Broadway star and written by playwright Terrence McNally, will open the 2005-2006 at the Old Globe in San Diego. . Graciela Daniele will choreograph and direct. Rivera, 72, will recall her life on stage, celebrating not only her own career, but the work of Golden Age choreographers whose work she danced: Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse and Michael Kidd.

Previously scheduled for L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre and Denver's Center for the Performing Arts, the show was withdrawn when funding was too slow to materialize. The September 10 - October 23, 2005 dates in San Diego should give the producers enough time to pull everything together.

CHITA IN TEXAS TRIBUTE TO KANDER & EBB

Chita heads to Houston, Texas on Thursday, April 28, 2005 for a tribute to John Kander and Fred Ebb at Sarofim Hall as part of Theatre Under The Stars 2005 American Musical Theatre Awards. Chita will be joined by Texas natives Tommy Tune and Jennifer Holliday, Robert Cuccioli; Karen Ziemba, Karen Mason , Caitlin Carter, Deidre Goodwin, and Tracy Shayne. Rob Marshall and John DeLuca will be on hand to receive special Director/Choreographer awards.

Developed in 2002, the American Musical Theatre Awards honors distinguished individuals who have contributed significantly to the American musical theatre. Chaired by Marilyn and George DeMontrond, Theatre Under the evening will feature a stellar evening of cocktails, entertainment, the awards presentation, and dinner and dancing. Serving on the Host Committee are Houston business and civic leaders: Sofia Adrogue & Sten Gustafson, Traci & Kevin Corcoran, Wanda & Carl Dalton, Shannon & Doug Dawson, Wendy & Alistair Dawson, Doe & Henry Florsheim, Charlotte & Morris Foster, Leslie & David Frankfort, Cynthia & Ben Guill, Janet & Mark Jacobs, Cindy & Kent Kahle, Trinidad Mendenhall, Barbara & Geoff Roberts, Janet & Ron Rossi, Marsha & David Taylor, Leticia & Stephen Trauber, and Kim & Chuck Watson.
Individual tickets, which include the cocktail reception, awards ceremony, and dinner and dancing, are available for $1,000. Table sponsorships begin at $10,000. To purchase tickets or a table, call Carly Glackin at Theatre Under The Stars at (713) 558-2600, ext. 3656.

CHITA IS A SMASH AT FEINSTEIN'S!

The New York Times Review:
February 24, 2005
CABARET REVIEW | CHITA RIVERA
A Voice of Old Broadway Helps to Make Things New Again
By STEPHEN HOLDEN

You could say that Chita Rivera, that ageless Broadway gypsy queen who created the first, toughest and greatest Velma Kelly in the musical "Chicago," epitomizes old Broadway. Or you could do away with the epitomizing and say she is that thing in every fiber of her taut, lean frame.

Where the sawdust meets the brass, that's where you'll usually find Ms. Rivera, except for the next three weeks, when she will have moved north and east of Broadway to perform her cabaret show "And Now I Sing" at Feinstein's at the Regency.

Tuesday's opening-night show drew the likes of John Kander, Bobby Short and "my darling Liza," as Ms. Rivera introduced a newly svelte and radiant Liza Minnelli. It was a night for the shrinking old-time show-business caravan to circle its crumbling bandwagons, string up its flickering Christmas lights and act as if the barbarian horde hadn't long ago trampled through its campsite.

With the deaths of Fred Ebb and Cy Coleman in recent months, it has a been bad year for old Broadway. She acknowledged those losses but never wallowed in the kind of mawkish, campy nostalgia that some of her fans might have wanted. She let her opening number, Jerry Herman's "I Don't Want to Know," set the mood of defiant escapism.

Ms. Rivera has a voice so lived-in that its cardboard tatters often seem patched together with chewing gum, Scotch tape and paste. That doesn't mean she can't sing up a dramatic storm if the song demands it. Except for a silly gender-reversed his-hers medley of show tune fragments swapped with her pianist, Mark Hummel, her program finds a comfortable mix of sass and sentiment.

In "Where Am I Going?" from "Sweet Charity" and Jacques Brel's accelerated whirlwind, "Carousel," she captures exactly the right tone of dazed determination. Lotte Lenya couldn't have done better than Ms. Rivera by the relentlessly cynical "Love and Love Alone," an early Kurt Weill-like song from Kander and Ebb's show "The Visit."

A shimmying "All That Jazz," in which she seemed to channel the ghost of Bob Fosse, brought a thunderous ovation. It is a song that the original, indestructible "scintillating sinner," as Velma is billed, owns now and forever.

"And Now I Sing" runs through March 12 at Feinstein's at the Regency, 540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street; (212) 339-4095.

JULIE AND CHITA
The stars have been in abundance for Chita's show at Feinstein's. Liza, John Kander, Tony Stevens, and Donna McKechnie attended the opening night. Regis Philbin just saw the show. Here, the Great Lady of Cabaret, Miss Julie Wilson, visits with Chita backstage after the 11 p.m. performance on Saturday, February 26, 2005.

CHITA IS A SMASH AT FEINSTEIN'S!

The New York Times Review:
February 24, 2005
CABARET REVIEW | CHITA RIVERA
A Voice of Old Broadway Helps to Make Things New Again
By STEPHEN HOLDEN

You could say that Chita Rivera, that ageless Broadway gypsy queen who created the first, toughest and greatest Velma Kelly in the musical "Chicago," epitomizes old Broadway. Or you could do away with the epitomizing and say she is that thing in every fiber of her taut, lean frame.

Where the sawdust meets the brass, that's where you'll usually find Ms. Rivera, except for the next three weeks, when she will have moved north and east of Broadway to perform her cabaret show "And Now I Sing" at Feinstein's at the Regency.

Tuesday's opening-night show drew the likes of John Kander, Bobby Short and "my darling Liza," as Ms. Rivera introduced a newly svelte and radiant Liza Minnelli. It was a night for the shrinking old-time show-business caravan to circle its crumbling bandwagons, string up its flickering Christmas lights and act as if the barbarian horde hadn't long ago trampled through its campsite.

With the deaths of Fred Ebb and Cy Coleman in recent months, it has a been bad year for old Broadway. She acknowledged those losses but never wallowed in the kind of mawkish, campy nostalgia that some of her fans might have wanted. She let her opening number, Jerry Herman's "I Don't Want to Know," set the mood of defiant escapism.

Ms. Rivera has a voice so lived-in that its cardboard tatters often seem patched together with chewing gum, Scotch tape and paste. That doesn't mean she can't sing up a dramatic storm if the song demands it. Except for a silly gender-reversed his-hers medley of show tune fragments swapped with her pianist, Mark Hummel, her program finds a comfortable mix of sass and sentiment.

In "Where Am I Going?" from "Sweet Charity" and Jacques Brel's accelerated whirlwind, "Carousel," she captures exactly the right tone of dazed determination. Lotte Lenya couldn't have done better than Ms. Rivera by the relentlessly cynical "Love and Love Alone," an early Kurt Weill-like song from Kander and Ebb's show "The Visit."

A shimmying "All That Jazz," in which she seemed to channel the ghost of Bob Fosse, brought a thunderous ovation. It is a song that the original, indestructible "scintillating sinner," as Velma is billed, owns now and forever.

"And Now I Sing" runs through March 12 at Feinstein's at the Regency, 540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street; (212) 339-4095.

JULIE AND CHITA
The stars have been in abundance for Chita's show at Feinstein's. Liza, John Kander, Tony Stevens, and Donna McKechnie attended the opening night. Regis Philbin just saw the show. Here, the Great Lady of Cabaret, Miss Julie Wilson, visits with Chita backstage after the 11 p.m. performance on Saturday, February 26, 2005.

CHITA TO APPEAR ON WILL & GRACE
Chita will appear on the Valentine's Day episode of Will & Grace to be broadcast on Feburary 10, 2005. In the episode, called Dance Cards & Greeting Cards, "Grace tries to ignore the greeting card holiday but romantic urges eventually send her into the arms of the enemy -- none other than Nick, a hunky greeting card writer. In a dramatic change of events, Karen's former nemesis Scott Wooley tries to win her heart by showering her with gifts but Karen's eyes are on larger things, -- her new overweight internet date. Elsewhere, after dancing with a lesbian couple -- played by Chita and Michele Lee -- Will and Jack find comfort in each other's arms for the Valentine's Day spotlight dance." The episode has been directed by James Burrows and also features Edward Burns, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Lee, and Leslie Jordan.

CHITA TOUR TO START IN DENVER
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has announced that Chita's one-woman show, Chita Rivera Dances Through Life will debut at their theater. Featuring a book by Terrence McNally and direction and choreography by Graciela Daniele, the show will run June 7-19, 2005. For information, call (303) 893-4100.

The program from the Cy Coleman memorial at the Majestic Theatre in New York, January 10, 2005 (l); Chita with Cy Coleman and Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Cy Coleman tribute in Los Angeles, November 6, 2005 (r).

CHITA LEADS CY COLEMAN MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
January 10, 2005 -- Chita and Ann Reinking opened the ASCAP celebration of the life and work of Cy Coleman this afternoon at Broadway's Majestic Theatre, leading a chorus in "Big Spender," the hit tune he wrote with Dorothy Fields for the musical Sweet Charity. Chita starred in the national tour and had played Nickie in the film version of the show. Liza Minnelli and Shirley Maclaine did not attend the memorial, as was previously announced. The legendary composer died on November 18, 2004 at age 75. Other performers paying tribute to Mr. Coleman in song included Lucie Arnaz, Bea Arthur, Chuck Cooper, Jim Dale, Judy Kaye, Michele Lee, Donna McKechnie, Brian Stokes Mitchell, James Naughton, John Schneider and Lillias White. Others who provided spoken tributes were Neil Simon, Wendy Wasserstein, A.E. Hotchner, David Zippel, and ASCAP president Marilyn Bergman. The program ended with a spotlight eerily focused on a piano as Coleman's recorded voice sang a new song from In the Pocket, a musical slated to open on Broadway next year. At the time of his death, Coleman had several new musicals in progress.

CY COLEMAN MEMORIAL WITH CHITA, LIZA, SHIRLEY, DONNA, AND ANN
The January 10, 2005 Broadway tribute to Cy Coleman will feature Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, Shirley MacLaine, Donna McKechnie, and Ann Reinking in a performance of "Big Spender" from the musical Sweet Charity. For details see Playbill On Line at http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90319.html

Photo by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com.
Used with permission by Broadway.com.
"This huge silhouette would appear in a fedora, smoking a cigar. There was our anchor. There was our rock in a pinstriped suit." Chita Rivera, at Jerry Orbach's memorial service, describing his entrance in the original production of Chicago.

JERRY ORBACH DIES
Jerry Orbach, who played Billy Flynn opposite Chita Rivera's Velma Kelly in the original Broadway production of Chicago died of prostate cancer on December 28, 2004, in New York City. He was 69. In addition to Chicago, Orbach's musical appearances included the original productions of The Fantasticks; Carnival; Promises, Promises (for which he won a Tony Award); and 42nd Street. For twelve seasons, Orbach starred as Detective Lennie Briscoe in television's "Law & Order" series, having joined the cast of the show in 1992, its third season. He had left the series to head the spin-off "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," set to debut next year. Orbach is survived by his wife, Elaine Cancilla. He met Cancilla when she replaced Chita in Chicago on Broadway.

CHITA IN SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT
Chita is included in a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition showcasing the historical and cultural achievements of Hispanics in America. Called "Our Journey/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement," a project of the Smithsonian's Center for Latino Initiatives, the exhibit tells the stories of 24 people and one extended family and is currently on display in Fort Wayne, Texas.

CHITA IN ARGENTINA
Chita was feted in Argentina at Valeria Lynch's 3rd Musical Theatre Congress in Buenos Aires on November 27 & 28, 2004. Check out the web site at http://www.e-musicales.com to see some South American Fosse dancers as well as an impressive tribute to Chita at http://www.e-musicales.com/chitarivera.html

Valeria Lynch, Rob Ashford, and Chita in Buenos Aires
Photo by Federico Guastavino

DANCER GREGORY MITCHELL DIES
Dancer Gregory Mitchell, 52, who had appeared with Chita in the original Kiss of the Spider Woman and in Merlin, and who had played all the men in Chita's life in the workshop production of her one-woman autobiographical show died on November 18, 2004, after suffering a heart attack on November 11 during a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Mitchell collapsed while onstage with Mikhail Baryshnikov in the drama Forbidden Christmas, or the Doctor and the Patient, in which he played the angel. A doctor from the audience attended to him, before he was taken to George Washington University Hospital and later transferred to Washington Hospital Center.

Chita told the Washington Post that she rated Mitchell among the great Broadway dancers, and recalled a scene from Merlin in which she played the queen and he played the queen's companion. "I would look to my right, and he would take five or six steps from the wing. And when he hit the stage, he was in a full arabesque. He was one of the most powerful dancers, and he really challenged me," Rivera said. "Plus I could not keep my eyes off him." They had recently done a workshop production based on her life. "He played each of the men in my life, and I have never danced with a guy like this. He is really a guy-guy."

Mitchell, a graduate of Juilliard, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. In addition to his work with Chita, he has appeared in 15 New York productions and in the film version of "Chicago," as well numerous television programs. He is survived by his sons Garrett, 16, and Chase, 10.

CY COLEMAN DIES
Composer Cy Coleman, the composer of Sweet Charity and litany of other Broadway greats died suddenly on November 18, 2004 of a heart attack, just three days after receiving a special award from the Johnny Mercer Foundation on November 15, 2004. The event was attended by Chita, who had also performed in the tribute to Coleman in Los Angeles on November 6th. For details see Playbill at http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89700.html

CHITA TO SING AT FRED EBB MEMORIAL
For the record, Chita sang "Love and Love Alone" from The Visit at the Fred Ebb memorial on November 15, 2004 at the Ambassador Theatre. Playbill Online provides a nice account of the event at http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89655.html

CHITA TO BE HONORED IN ARGENTINA
Chita will travel to Argentina later this month, to be honored by the government and to teach masters classes for students. Chita and Rob Ashford are the guests at the International Congress of Broadway musicals and rock operas that will be held Nov. 27 & 28, 2004 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Buenos Aires. The Congress, organized by the Cultural Affairs office of Argentina, gathers people who are interested in musicals in order to share experiences, knowledge, and industry trends world wide. Argentinean singer Valeria Lynch and Marian Letamendia from the cultural office, stated that the congress is sponsored by several national and city offices, the National Theater Institute, and the American and Japanese embassies. Chita and Ashford will also audition talent and select the best for scholarships to study in the United States.

CHITA'S ONE WOMAN SHOW IS ON FOR SPRING 2005
Chita's long-awaited one woman biographical show, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele, is now scheduled to make stops in five cities: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, and New York.

CHITA'S TO PERFORM AT FEINSTEIN'S
Chita fans rejoice! She will appear at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City from February 22 through March 12, 2004.

Chita with Cy Coleman and Brian Stokes Mitchell in LA, November 6, 2005.

CHITA AND LISA IN CY COLEMAN TRIBUTE
Chita and her daughter Lisa Mordente were among the featured performers in The Actors' Fund of America's fifth annual S.T.A.G.E. too event, The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman, at the Luckman Theatre in Los Angeles on November 6, 2004. The Actors' Fund President, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Larry Gelbart, and Marilyn and Alan Bergman presented Coleman with the Nedda Harrigan Logan Award. Chita and her daughter, Lisa Mordente, with Paula Kelly and Gretchen Wyler were among the surprise performers in the opening rendition of "Big Spender." Chita later sang, "Where Am I Going" from Sweet Charity, and Lisa sang "There's Gotta Be Something Better than This." Other performers included Christine Andreas, Lucie Arnaz, Liz Callaway, Keith Carradine, Carole Cook, Tyne Daly, Nancy Dussault, Ken Howard, Bill Hutton, Jane Lanier, Michele Lee, Marin Mazzie, Rod McKuen, Valarie Pettiford, Charlotte Rae, Alice Ripley, John Schneider, Sally Struthers, Lillias White, and Jo Anne Worley. The evening ended with a performance by Cy Coleman himself, joined by Chita and others at the piano.

CHITA IN PBS BROADWAY DOCUMENTARY
Chita is featured in the amazing new, recently aired PBS documentary on the history of Broadway. Hosted by Julie Andrews, the program chronicles the 100-year history of American musical theater and explains its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the 20th century to today's Broadway. Chita can be seen in some remarkable home movie footage, dancing with Gwen Verdon I the original Broadway production of Chicago. The show is available in a three DVD set.

CHITA DOES TWO BENEFITS IN ONE NIGHT
Dancing on Air Benefit Gala Presented at City Center Oct. 25, 2004
The tenth annual gala benefit for Career Transition for Dancers - featuring Chita Rivera was presented Oct. 25, 2005 at City Center. For details see http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89164.html
Founded in 1985, Career Transition for Dancers helps dancers establish new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its inception, the organization has helped over 2,700 professional dancers begin new careers. For more information about CTFD, visit www.careertransition.org

Chita in Showstoppers Concert
Chita was among the numerous Broadway stars who took part in the October 25, 2004 concert to benefit Gay Men's Health Crisis, Showstoppers: A Salute to the Best of Broadway. Others included Stokes Mitchell, and Priscilla Lopez. For details see: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89078.html

Chitarivera.com mourns the loss of Fred Ebb, September 11, 2004, a true creative genius -- lyricist for
Kiss of the Spider Woman, Chicago, The Rink, Zorba, and The Visit.

CHITA IN POSITANO
According to Cindy Adams' column in the New York Post, July 21, 2004, Chita is currently in Positano, off Italy's Amalfi coast. We hope she's enjoying the Pearl City of the Amalfi.

CHITA'S GAY APPEAL
In his La Dolce Musto column in The Village Voice, June 8, 2004, Michael Musto quoted Chita as saying, "I've never been all straight. Everyone has their curveballs." The quotation was reprinted in The Advocate, the National Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine, July 20, 2004.

CHITA IN BROADWAY'S LOST TREASURES II
Chita is featured in the new Great Performances installment of "Broadway's Lost Treasures," with Juliet Prowse, performing a medley from Sweet Charity on a Tony Awards® broadcast. Over the years, the Tony Awards® have created a remarkable archive of star performers. For more information and for a broadcast schedule for your region see: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/broadcast/broadcast.html
For other Chita at the Tony Awards® memories see a fab Anita and Steve Shevett photo of Chita with 1987 Tony host Angela Lansbury with presenters Bernadette Peters, Mary Martin, and Lynn Redgrave: http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/photos/imagepages/2004-05-04/200405041083089502575.html
and another Anita and Steve Shevett of Chita and her fellow 1993 Tony Award winners Ron Liebman (Angels in America), Madeleine Kahn (The Sisters Rosensweig), and Brent Carver (Kiss of the Spider Woman). Chita, of course, won that year for Spider Woman:
http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/photos/imagepages/2004-05-04/200405041083090430074.html

CHITA PRESENTS TONY FOR CHOREOGRAPHY

Photo by Anita and Steve Shevett -- used with permission © Copyright Tony Award Productions
Chita was on hand to present the 2004 Tony Award for choreography. Wearing an elegant gown designed by Donald Deal, she presented the award to Kathleen Marshall for her work on Wonderful Town. To see additional photographs of the evening, visit www.tonyawards.com.

NATIONAL CORPORATE THEATRE FUND TO HONOR CHITA, MAY 10
Chita will be honored by the National Corporate Theatre Fund on Monday, May 10, 2004 at gala evening featuring Jerry Mitchell as Master of Ceremonies, a performance from Kander and Ebb's The Visit as well as entertainment from Brent Barrett and other Broadway stars. Frank Langella, announced to star opposite Chita in The Visit, will present her with the Theatre Artist Award. The evening will begin with cocktails at 6:30 PM followed by dinner, the performance, and a silent auction. The event will take place at the Essex House, located in Manhattan at 160 Central Park South. Tickets for the gala begin at $1,000 and can be ordered by calling Christopher Wynn at (212) 750-6895 or by e-mailing him at cwynn@nctf.org. For further details, see Playbill Online at http://www.playbill.com/news/article/85724.html

CHITA, LIZA, AND OTHERS TO HONOR KANDER & EBB AT ROUNDABOUT, APRIL 26, 2004
Chita will be among the Broadway stars on hand at Roundabout Theatre's Musical Tribute to John Kander and Fred Ebb on April 26, 2004, starting at 6 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental New York, located at 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street in New York City. The song writing team will be honored with Roundabout's prestigious Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre. The evening, which begins with cocktails, followed by dinner, will also include special entertainment by Richard Gere, Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Bebe Neuwirth, Jason Alexander, Victor Garber, Natasha Richardson, Marin Mazzie, Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba, and others. Tickets for $1,000 are already sold out, but are still available in limited quantitites at $1,500 and $2,500. For reservations contact Elaina Grillo at 212-719-9393.
Kander & Ebb wrote Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Visit for Chita. She has also appeared in Zorba. For details see http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/gala.htm

CHITA TO APPEAR ON CUNY TV'S "WOMEN IN THEATRE"
Chita Rivera will be the first guest on "Women in Theatre," a new show hosted by Newsday arts columnist and theatre critic Linda Winer when the program debuts on Friday, March 12, 2004 on CUNY TV, channel 75 in New York City. The Series is produced by The League of Professional Theatre Women in collaboration with CUNY TV

CHITA IN "NOTHING LIKE A DAME 2004"
Chita Rivera took on the Velma Kelly role again, teaming up with Camille Saviola's Matron Mamma Morton to sing Kander & Ebb's "Class," from the musical Chicago at the 9th Annual "Nothing Like a Dame" concert to benefit The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors Fund of America on Monday March 1, 2004. The event was presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For fab photos, see:

http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=34574&AP=8&NA=F
http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=34574&AP=14&NA=F
http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=34574&AP=16&NA=F

Chita's "Nothing Like a Dame" appearances have always been special. In 2002 she appeared as Anita in the show's opening number, doing "America" from West Side Story. The piece was cleverly staged with Chita sneaking in among 24 Chita clones. The images below are used with the permission of www.broadwaybeat.com, where they originally appeared.

CHITA PAPER DOLL BY THE LEGENDARY TOM TIERNEY
Dover Books has published Glamorous Latin Film Stars Paper Dolls, a collection of paper dolls by the world's foremost paper doll artist, Tom Tierney. Chita is among the 16 featured ladies. The Chita doll, with a demure expression in a Chita and All the Jazz shoe-off-the-foot pose, has a costume from Sweet Charity and another from Pippin. The book is available for $5.95.

To order the Glamorous Latin Film Stars Paper Dolls book, go to: http://store.doverpublications.com/0486430553.html

Chita Rivera arriving in the snow for the reading of the original screenplay Showstoppers, to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, held at Show nightclub in New York City.
Wednesday January 14, 2004
© Joseph Marzullo / All Rights Reserved.

CHITA TO HOST CHARITY EVENT (January 5, 2004)
Chita will serve as the host for "a special evening of High Drama, High Voices & High Wire Acts" on Wednesday, January 14, 2004, to benefit the Nantucket Film Festival and Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. The event will take place at Show Nightlife at 135 West 41st Street. The evening begin with a pre-show cocktail reception at 6. At 8 there will be a reading of an original screenplay by Geoffrey Nauffts and Anthony Barrile called "Showstopper." Performers include Ben Stiller, Marisa Tomei, Christine Ebersole, Anthony Barrile, Sherie Rene Scott, Adam Pascal, and Mario Cantone, with Tom Kitt at the piano. Afterward, there will be dancing, with aerial acts, showgirls, and surprise performances.

Chita to Perform at Drama League Benefit (December 18, 2003)
Chita is said to be preparing a number for "The Drama League's Musical Celebration of Broadway Benefit Gala." Produced by Terry Hodge Taylor, the Gala will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Feburary 9, 2004 at The Pierre hotel. The honorees will be Melanie Griffith and Chita's Nine co-star, Antonio Banderas. Tickets for the event are $500, $750, $1500, and $2500. For more information call (212) 244-9494 extension 5.

Chita Featured in Kennedy Center Tribute to Carol Burnett (December 8, 2003)
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection, by its board of trustees, of the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2003. Recipients to be honored at the 26th annual national celebration of the arts are: musician James Brown, actress Carol Burnett, singer Loretta Lynn, director Mike Nichols, and violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Chita, a Kennedy Center honoree last year, is among the theatre and TV royalty who paid tribute to Burnett this year. Wearing rhinestone glasses, Chita joined a parade of great ladies of the stage, who descended a staircase wearing Bob Mackey costumes designed for characters on the Carol Burnett Show. Chita appeared as narcoleptic Stella Toddler. The event took place at the Kennedy Center on December 7, 2003, and will be broadcast on December 26, 2003 at 9 p.m. on CBS. Julie Andrews introduced the segment devoted to Burnett (and appeared in the famed Starlett O'Hara curtain dress in the costume parade). Other featured performers included Bernadette Peters (who appeared on Burnett's show more than any other guest) who wore Burnett's signature cleaning woman attire, Elaine Stritch who appeared as Eunice, Florence Henderson who appeared as Shirley Temple, Tim Conway, and Harvey Korman.
For further information, see the links below:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83187.html
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/

Terrence McNally to Pen Show for Chita (November 24, 2003)
During the run of Nine, as the producers of The Visit began to waffle, Chita began to talk about the possiblity of doing a newshow about her life. She imagined herself dancing to the music of her father's clarinet, and of a show that chronicled her unique and dynamic career. This vision will become a reality, with a new show to be written by Terrrence McNally.
Chita and McNally had been working together on The Visit, and the playwright had previously written The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman, the very shows for which Chita won her two Tony Awards.
According to Variety, the biographical show will receive a workshop production next summer at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Marty Bell will produce the workshop with direction by Graciela Daniele.

Terrence McNally will script and Graciela Daniele will stage a new show for Chita
Chita in Variety
Chita in Playbill

Dorothy Loudon Dies - Co-starred With Chita in Jerry's Girls
(November 15, 2003)
Broadway mourned the passing of the great Dorothy Loudon, a comic genius who won fame and a Tony Award as the original Miss Hannigan in Annie. A versatile actress, Loudon also won great acclaim for her remarkably affecting performance in the Chicago production of Alfred Uhry's Driving Miss Daisy. Chita fans will remember Loudon fondly for her performance in the 1985 show, Jerry's Girls, which also starred Leslie Uggams. Among Loudon's most memorable moments in the show was a brilliant turn as an over-the-hill stripper in "Put it Back On!" The theater world mourns the loss of this gifted lady.

Chita and Antonio depart Nine with big Party (October 5, 2003)
Chita and Antonio Bandera departed from Nine after playing their final performance on October 5th. To see stunning photos of the event by Bruce Glikas, visit Broadway.com at http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=31188&AP=16&NA=B

Eartha Kitt to Step in for Chita (September 12, 2003)
Singer-actress Eartha Kitt has been tapped to replace Chita as Liliane La Fleur in the Tony-winning revival of Nine. She will begi performances on Oct. 7, the same day that John Stamos replaces Antonio Banderas as Guido Contini and Jenna Elfman replaces Jane Krakowski as Carla. Banderas, Krakowski and Rivera will play their final performances Oct. 5. In an interesting turnaround, early in her career, Chita was Kitt's standby as Mehitabel the cat in the Broadway production of Shinbone Alley. Though she came close a couple of times, Chita never went on for Eartha. This time, however, Eartha will step in for Chita!

Chita departs Nine on October 5th. Replacement Not Yet Chosen (September 9, 2003)
Jenna Elfman will take on Jane Krakowski's celebrated circus act in Nine with the October 7th performance. Chita and Antonio Banderas will leave the show on the same day, with John Stamos taking over for Banderas, but there's still no replacement for Chita! Chita fans are eager to know who! Liza and Eartha Kitt have been mentioned. The timing could not be more perfect for Liza to take on a star turn in an established hit. Leslie Caron has been mentioned as well - though Equity would likely pitch a fit over a European actress after an American has played the role. A seasoned dancer like Donna McKechnie or Paula Kelly could fill the bill. Priscilla Lopez is unavailable. How long do they plan to wait?

The Visit -- Back on Track? (September 8, 2003)
The word along the rialto is that the announced cancellation of the Public Theatre production of the Kander-Ebb-McNally musical, The Visit, attracted an abundance of potential investors, and that with upcoming Broadway production of Assassins now in doubt, a Roundabout Theatre production of The Visit may be back on track for January at Studio 54, where Cabaret is soon to conclude its successful run. The Roundabout produced the current Broadway production of Nine, starring Chita and Antonio Banderas.

Chita and Liza at Joe Allen's (September 5, 2003)
Yes, that was Liza Minnelli dining with Chita at the back on Joe Allen's restaurant on Thursday, September 4th. Liza is clearly out and about subsequent to her breakup with husband David Gest -- and she is looking fabulous!

The Visit Cancelled at the Public (August 22, 2003)
Chita Rivera fans will be disappointed to learn that the new John Kander-Fred Ebb-Terrence McNally musical The Visit, will not have its debut this season at the Public Theater. According to the "New York Post," the production has been scrapped, because two major investors, Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum have pulled out, taking $500,000 of the $1.5 million investement with them. Chita appeared in the world premiere production of The Visit at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago last year opposite John McMartin, and was to reprise her performance opposite Frank Langella in the off-Broadway production. Chita is only confirmed in the current production of Nine, through October 5, which is also Antonio Banderas' last performance in the hit show. For details on the cancellation of The Visit, see http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81290.html. For Ken Mandelbaum's observations on the Goodman Theatre production see http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=8&CI=30367.

Chita attends Melanie Griffith's Chicago Party
Chita was among the guests at the private opening night party at Manhattan's Thalia restaurant for Melanie Griffith's Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago on July 20, 2003. For fab pix see http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=29800&AP=13&NA=F
Griffith is married to Chita's Nine co-star, Antonio Banderas, and was, of course, Velma in the original Broadway production of Chicago in 1975. In addition, Chita has played the Roxie Hart role in London, Toronto, and Las Vegas. Griffith received mixed reviews, though the all important New York Times adored her. Ben Brantley wrote: "Ms. Griffith's performance in this hit revival of the Kander and Ebb musical, still feisty after more than six years, has to qualify as one of the most bizarrely successful debuts in Broadway history. Ms. Griffith has only minimal command of the skills traditionally associated with musical comedy. She dances very little, and her well-known baby-doll voice has only a casual relationship with melody. Yet Ms. Griffith is a sensational Roxie, possibly the most convincing I have seen… The vultures who were expecting to see Ms. Griffith stumble, in other words, will have to look elsewhere for their fix of schadenfreude. 'You're a phony celebrity, kid,' Roxie's lawyer tells her. Ms. Griffith, on the other hand, is definitely the real thing, with a persona that translates into a heartfelt presence onstage."
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Rivera among celebs at Celia Cruz funeral
Chita Rivera was among the prominent Hispanic New Yorkers who attended the funeral of Celia Cruz at Manhattan's St. Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday, July 22, 2003. In a video image broadcast around the world, an emotional Rivera, the Broadway legend who starred in such hit shows as West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Kiss of the Spider Woman, could be seen with her brother Armando, and her assistant Rosie Bentinck, clapping to the rhythm of Celia Cruz's signature song, "La Vida es un Carnaval," sung at the conclusion of the service by Salsa singer Victor Manuel. Rivera co-stars in the current Broadway production of the musical Nine with Spanish star Antonio Banderas, who attended the funeral mass with his wife, actress Melanie Griffith.

This is the first Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning musical by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit, directed by David Leveaux. It opened April 10, 2003 to very strong reviews adn won a 2003 Tony for Best Revival. Chita was nominated as Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008Z1NB/roundabouttheatr/104-9533195-8756737

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/77184.html

Celebrate Chita's birthday by catching her cameo appearance in the new Golden Globe awarding winning motion picture, CHICAGO. The film was directed by Rob Marshall, who also staged the Chita tribute at the Kennedy Center honors.

“For the unique and extremely valuable contributions they have made to the cultural life of our nation," said Kennedy Center Chairman James A. Johnson, "we honor an actor whose extraordinary range and power have made him an American institution.”

Chita Rivera is the first Hispanic-American ever to receive the honor, and only the third Washington, DC native. The Honors Gala was broadcast on CBS as a two-hour prime time special on December 27, 2002.
The segment in Chita’s honor began with a tribute by Brian Stokes Mitchell (who flew down from New York where he is starring in Man of La Mancha), and included Broadway star Donna Murphy singing the title number from Kiss of the Spider Woman, Valarie Pettiford performing a rendition of All That Jazz, and 83 dancers singing and dancing “America” from West Side Story. A giant illuminated sign featuring the name “Chita,” descended from the flies at the number’s climax.

At the State Department dinner Chita (who sat with family and Broadway composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb) was the first honoree to arrive. This year’s honorees also include James Earl Jones, Paul Simon, conductor James Levine, and Elizabeth Taylor (who arrived well into the appetizer course).

Chita, looking radiant at the Kennedy Center Honors December, 2002

The annual Honors Gala has become the highlight of the Washington cultural year. The 2002 Honorees were saluted by stars from the world of the performing arts at a gala performance in the Kennedy Center's Opera House on Sunday evening, December 8, attended by the President of the United States and Mrs. Bush, and by artists from around the world.

The President and First Lady received the Honorees and members of the Artists Committee who nominated them, along with the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees at the White House on Sunday evening, December 8, prior to the gala performance. A supper dance in the Grand Foyer concluded the festive weekend.

The actual Kennedy Center Honors were bestowed the night before the gala on Saturday, December 7, at the State Department dinner, hosted by the Secretary of State Colin Powell. Powell reserved his most effusive praise of the evening for Chita, even singing the opening phrase of her signature song, “I want to be in America,” jokingly describing the impact of her career at American embassies throughout the world.

The Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts: whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

Members of the Kennedy Center's national artists committee, as well as past Honorees, made recommendations of possible Honorees. Among the artists making recommendations were: Edward Albee, Alan Alda, Jason Alexander, Julie Andrews, Christine Baranski, Candice Bergen, Carol Burnett, Johnny Cash, Glenn Close, Katherine Dunham, Suzanne Farrell, Renee Fleming, Morgan Freeman, Cynthia Gregory, Gregory Hines, Marilyn Horne, Angelica Huston, Jeremy Irons, Elia Kazan, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, John Lithgow, Terrence McNally, Sherrill Milnes, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Gregory Peck, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Selleck, Stephen Sondheim, Meryl Streep, Dawn Upshaw, Frederica von Stade, Robin Williams and Jerry Zaks.

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