In 1972, Chita played Billie Dawn, the dumb-like-a-fox ex-chorine in Garson Kanin's comedy classic, Born Yesterday.

Fearful that she will embarrass him as he tries to enter Washington society, Billie's gangster boyfriend hires a tutor to teach her to be sophisticated. Billie proves to be an apt pupil and soon realizes she's too good for he brutish thug of a boyfriend. The original Broadway Billie was Judy Holliday, who reprised her performance on film. A film remake was made with Melanie Griffith.

Chita Rivera and John Randolph in the 1972 Philadelphia Drama Guild production of Garson Kanin's comedy classic, Born Yesterday.