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