Chita Rivera
Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
Cabaret Roundup: May 11-17 – Beth Malone, KT Sullivan & More (May 11, 2026)
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 6, 2026- 2026 Tony Awards Nomination Coverage and More (May 6, 2026)
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Investor Files Second Lawsuit Against Producers (May 5, 2026)
BIO
Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Her most recent starring roles included The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway; the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood; the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer's Life, a dazzling musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas.
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson was born on January 23, 1933 in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Katherine (Anderson) and Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero.
She trained as a ballerina (from age nine) before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Chita's first appearance (age 19) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam.
Chita burst onto the Broadway scene in 1957 with her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story, which she repeated in London in 1958.
Her career was highlighted by starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink (Tony Award), Chicago, Jerry's Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award), and the original Broadway casts of Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven and Mr. Wonderful. On tour: Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Can-Can with The Rockettes.
Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009 and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. In 2019, Chita performed her solo concert at London's Cadogan Hall; in 2018 she was honored as a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy; in 2016 she headlined at Carnegie Hall and in 2015, Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin' To Do, a retrospective of her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS.
Her solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her book CHITA: A MEMOIR was published by HarperOne in April 25, 2023.
In 2017 it was announced that the Astaire Awards, which promote and recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film, would be renamed the Chita Rivera Awards.
Chita was a dear friend of BroadwayWorld, having co-hosted our 20th anniversary concert event alongside Richard Ridge. She died on January 30, 2024 in New York after a brief illness at age 91.
Photos
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Host Chita Rivera, Host Richard Ridge, BroadwayWorld's Founder and CEO Robert Diamond and Theatre Director of Strategic Partnerships Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Carla Hoke-Miller
From: Photos: Go Inside BroadwayWorld's Star-Studded 20th Anniversary Celebration
STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
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Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Visit
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Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
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Chita RiveraThe Visit
Chita Rivera, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
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Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita Rivera , Nine
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita RiveraKiss of the Spider Woman, The Musical
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Chita Rivera
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Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
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Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
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Chita Rivera
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Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Chita Rivera, Jerry's Girls
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Chita Rivera, The Rink
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Chita Rivera, The Rink
Chita Rivera, Merlin
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Chicago
Chita Rivera , Bye Bye Birdie
Videos
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs Flashy Dance Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-21 11:34:42
Video: Watch Highlights from CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-04-07 18:24:15
Video: Watch the Full Conversations with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast and Crew From CBS Sunday Morning Segment
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-30 15:18:26
Video: Marc Kudisch Sings 'Just in Time' & 'I Met A Girl' from BELLS ARE RINGING at 54 Below
by Michael Major - 2026-02-13 11:15:25
Video: Michael Crawford Talks Being Honored By the Kennedy Center
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-23 19:53:21
Video: DICK VAN DYKE: 100TH CELEBRATION Documentary Debuts Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-03 11:53:18
Video: Jennifer Lopez New Musical Clip from KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-08 11:12:13
Video: Jennifer Lopez Opens Up About Seeing Her First Broadway Show
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-06 13:44:57
Video: Jennifer Lopez Talks Lifelong Love of Musicals on CBS SUNDAY MORNING, Previews KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-29 11:43:08
Listen: Tonatiuh Sings 'She's a Woman' From KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-26 11:49:34
Video: Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh, & More on Bringing KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN to Life
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-22 15:43:17
Video: Watch CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Take Its Final Bow on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-09-22 09:48:28
Video: Billy Porter on the Difference Between His Directing and Performance Styles: 'I'm About Love'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-25 10:25:23
Video: Billy Porter Says He is Returning to a 'Better' Broadway in CABARET
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-23 10:20:16
Video: Billy Porter Talks Fulfilling Dream Role as Emcee in Broadway’s CABARET
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-21 12:00:41
Video: Look Back on Chita Rivera Singing 'Buenos Aires' From EVITA in Throwback Performance
by Michael Major - 2025-07-07 15:11:33
News
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 11, 2026
Here are a few top picks to consider this week including Beth Malone (FUN HOME) in a night honoring lesbian icons, Broadway star Stephanie Pope bringing her show to 54 Below for the third and final time, plenty of jazz, and more.
by - May 6, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 6, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Stephi Wild - May 5, 2026
Atlanta-based entertainment lawyer James Walker, an investor in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, has filed a second lawsuit against several of the show’s producers. Learn more here!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 5, 2026
The nominees for the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards recently met the press. BroadwayWorld was there and you can learn more about the event and check out photos here!
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The 79th Annual Tony Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 5, by Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss. The announcement can be viewed LIVE (9am ET) in their entirety here on BroadwayWorld. Catch up on everything you need to know before the announcement!
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2026
The School of American Ballet will recognize Nancy Reynolds and Victoria Simon as its 2026 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients at its Annual Alumni Celebration, also marking the 10th Anniversary of the AACDI.
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, directed by Tony Award-winner Sam Pinkleton, has extended its Broadway run at Studio 54 through late 2026, featuring Luke Evans, Stephanie Hsu, and Juliette Lewis.
by - May 1, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 1, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that André Bishop, Jules Fisher, and James Lapine will each receive the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Nominations for the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards have been announced, which were chosen among shows and films that opened during the 2025-2026 season. Check out the full list of nominees here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 27, 2026
The 92nd Street Y, New York will present An Evening with Adrienne Warren, a one-night-only event featuring songs from her Tony Award-winning performance as Tina Turner, musical theater favorites, pop covers and storytelling.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 26, 2026
Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 16 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Spring 2026 reading list.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Apr 26, 2026
Broadway veteran Angie Schworer, known for SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE PROM, will play Miss Hannigan in ANNIE at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's 65th anniversary season in Arrow Rock, Missouri.
by Gavin Glynn - Apr 25, 2026
All Roads Theatre Company (ARTCO) will present the World Premiere of the musical revue, THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE: THE SONGS OF JULE STYNE. Created by Scott Thompson and Fred Barton, this production celebrates the legendary work of composer Jule Styne. The show features a cast of Broadway headliners, including Anneliese van der Pol, Nick Adams, Lana Gordon, Angel Reda, Rhett George, and Neil Starkenberg, accompanied by an 11-piece LIVE band! This production will run for five performances only, from May 1–3, 2026, at the iconic El Portal Theatre in old town North Hollywood.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2026
Following its 2023 production at 59e59 Theatres and productions around the country, the Penguin Rep Theatre production of SMALL, written by and starring Robert Montano, will return to New York City for a limited engagement.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Cats: The Jellicle Ball took over Good Morning America on Tuesday, with a dance performance from the cast of the ballroom-inspired Broadway revival. Check out photos below from their morning show appearance.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Watch the cast of Cats: The Jellicle Ball perform from the reimagined new production on Good Morning America, showing off the ballroom-inspired choreography from Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
The Muny announced the principal cast for HAIRSPRAY, opening its 108th season at Forest Park. Katy Geraghty and Richard Kind lead the production, which marks the show's return to the St. Louis stage for the first time since 2015.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 21, 2026
The Chita Rivera Awards and NYC Dance Alliance Foundation announced five finalists for Broadway's Next Triple Threat, with the winner receiving a $10,000 training grant live at the Chita Rivera Awards.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
Stephanie Pope brings LIVIN' IT UP! back to 54 Below for a third time, directed by Tony winner Ben Vereen, featuring songs from CHICAGO, HADESTOWN, and stories of Broadway legends.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Chita Rivera has appeared on Broadway in 22 shows.
Chita Rivera has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.
Chita Rivera's first West End show was West Side Story which opened in 1958
Lifetime Achievement Award (Tony Awards), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Visit, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Visit, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Visit, John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement (Theatre World Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Visit, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Visit , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Nine, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Nine , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Nine, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Musical , The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Best Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jerry's Girls, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rink, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Rink, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Merlin, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Bring Back Birdie, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Bring Back Birdie, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chicago and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Bye Bye Birdie.
Chita Rivera has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Visit, and the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Theatre World Awards. She received the Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical award at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Visit, and the Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for Nine. Additionally, she received The American Express Tribute at the Helen Hayes Awards. Rivera won the Best Actress - Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Kiss of the Spider Woman, and the Outstanding Actress - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for the same show. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards, and the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical award at the Tony Awards for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Furthermore, she won the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for The Rink, and the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical award at the Tony Awards for The Rink.
Videos
