The legend of Broadway Chita Rivera, a two-time Tony winner and nine-time nominee, died Tuesday morning after a brief illness, her publicist announced. She was 91 years old.
The actress, singer and dancer originated the role of Anita in the Broadway production of Love without barriersas well as the main character of The kiss of the spider women and the role of Velma Kelly in Chicago.
Chita Rivera at the 2018 Tony Awards. Photo: APAs the New York Times noted when reviewing his 2005 career retrospective, Chita Rivera: The Life of a Dancer, Rivera’s charisma lies “in his expert technique and the contagious pleasure he derives from it. “She has always been a professional in a world of harsh judgments and mythical standards.”
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero considered herself “a career-spanning showgirl.” “I think I can deal with whatever happens,” she said.
In fact, she was well on her way to a ballet career when in 1952 Rivera accompanied a friend to audition for the Broadway production of Call me ma’am. The friend didn’t get the lead dancer role but Rivera did.
He followed this debut with other works, including Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful AND Shinbone Alley.
A key role
His ever-rising career skyrocketed in 1957, when he appeared in West Side Story (Love Without Barriers). Conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Chita Rivera and Liza Minnelli worked together in the musical “The Rink” in 1984. Photo: APThe production was revolutionary and blended a jazz soundtrack with a gritty, urban version of the song Romeo and Juliet. The performers wore sneakers and jeans, snapped their fingers and spoke in the lunfardo of a New York neighborhood.
Rivera she captivated the audience with her vibrant performance as Anitathe best friend of the show’s heroine, María, and girlfriend of María’s brother, Bernardo.
A successful career
Established as a true star, Rivera followed History of the West Side with a leading role in Bye bye Birdie (which earned him his first Tony nomination) and Bajour. She also acted Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, The Threepenny Opera, Kiss me Kate AND Sweet Charity.
Chita Rivera rehearsing with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Photo: APIn an unusual transfer of his play to the big screenreprized his role as Nickie in the film version of Sweet Charitywith Shirley MacLaine, in 1969.
In 1975 she played the role of Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago. In homage to her previous work, she made a cameo in the 2002 film version, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere.
In 1984 he acted The skating rink with Lisa Minnelli. For her role as Anna, she won her first Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical.
Her dancing career suffered a serious blow in 1986: she was injured in a car accident and broke her leg. For other dancers this might have been the end of her career, but not for Rivera, who could face anything. “They tell me that my return to Broadway is one of those classic show business stories,” she said.
His return was triumphant, with The kiss of the spider womenin 1993, which earned her her second Tony for Lead Actress in a Musical.
He wouldn’t return to Broadway for another 10 years, when he appeared in the revival of Nine, like Lilane la Fleur. Her role earned him another Tony nomination.
She was the first Hispanic woman to receive the Kennedy Award (in 2002) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009).
Source: Clarin
