{"id":4381,"date":"2017-08-28T19:13:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T19:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=4381"},"modified":"2018-08-23T18:34:18","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T18:34:18","slug":"diva-alert-14-chita-rivera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/diva-alert-14-chita-rivera\/","title":{"rendered":"Diva Alert #14: Chita Rivera"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diva Alert #14: Chita Rivera<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by Jackson Upperco<\/p>\n

August 30, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Welcome back to Diva Alert, Performer Stuff\u2019s series on Great Dames from the Golden Age of Broadway. In these posts, we\u2019re taking a look at some of the American Musical Theatre\u2019s most legendary ladies, along with their seminal stage triumphs. <\/em><\/p>\n

Broadway\u2019s street-smart Puerto Rican vixen, its sultry Spanish Rose, its deadly jazz-lovin\u2019 vaudevillian; the muse of Kander and Ebb; a favorite vessel of Fosse \u2013 her career boasts triumphs and failures. She\u2019s America and all<\/em> that jazz. She is\u2026 Chita Rivera.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Rivera was only 15 when she got accepted into George Balanchine\u2019s School of American Ballet in New York City. After appearing in the 1952 touring company of Call Me Madam<\/em>, the nimble half Puerto Rican diva made her Broadway debut as a replacement in the dancing ensemble of Guys And Dolls<\/em>. Following a similar position in Can-Can<\/em>, she originated small roles in Seventh Heaven<\/em> (1955), Mr. Wonderful <\/em>(1956), and Shinbone Alley<\/em> (1957).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Rivera\u2019s big break came in Bernstein & Sondheim\u2019s iconic West Side Story <\/em>(1957), in which she played the fiery Anita. This led to another leading role opposite Dick Van Dyke in the classic Bye Bye Birdie<\/em> (1960). The now Tony-nominated performer endured several flops in the \u201860s \u2013 including two new musicals that closed before reaching New York \u2013 and was passed over for the film adaptations of her two most famous works.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

However, this period proved important, teaming her with Bob Fosse in the National Tour and film version of Sweet Charit<\/em>y, and with songsmiths Kander & Ebb in the touring company of Zorba<\/em>. All three men were instrumental in Rivera\u2019s next hit, Chicago <\/em>(1975), in which she played a Jazz Age murderess. It took nearly a decade to find another hit \u2013 although each post-Chicago <\/em>Broadway appearance earned her a Tony nod.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Rivera triumphed again in 1984 with Kander & Ebb\u2019s The Rink<\/em>, for which she won her first Tony. Over the next 30+ years, the saucy dancer became the songwriters\u2019 best muse \u2013 appearing in two more of their originals: Kiss Of The Spider Woman <\/em>(1993), for which she won another Tony, and The Visit<\/em> (2015). Other works in this period included a Jerry Herman revue, revivals of Nine <\/em>and The Mystery of Edwin Drood<\/em>, and a one-woman show.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Still performing, Rivera is tied as having the most individual Tony nominations \u2013 ten. She also has the distinction of being the first Latina performer to be honored by the Kennedy Center, and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. An inspiration; a broad; an American classic \u2013 she is indeed a Great Dame. Dun. That Jazz. Dun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div>
<\/div>

DID YOU KNOW?<\/strong> Rivera recurred for a season alongside her former Bye Bye Birdie <\/em>co-star in his 1970s sitcom, The New Dick Van Dyke Show<\/em>. See a rare clip here:<\/p>\n