Chita Rivera
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.
Date of Birth: January 23, 1933 (93)
Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
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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
See how Chita Rivera connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Chita Rivera from another Broadway star or creative.
Chita Rivera
Connection
Awards and Nominations
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Videos
Exclusive: Inside Rehearsals for the DEATH BECOMES HER National Tour
by Sam Anctil - 2026-09-13 12:00:09
Video: Luke Evans Lays Out the Challenges of Performing in a Corset in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-07-23 16:57:37
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-06-23 09:17:35
Video: Robert Montano Answers Big Questions About His New Play, SMALL
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2026-06-18 11:34:22
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'The Jellicle Ball' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-28 14:37:18
Video: Follow Robert 'Silk' Mason's Path to CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL in STAGEBOUND
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-26 13:05:35
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' in the Subway
by Michael Major - 2026-05-22 13:25:28
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs at WNYC Concert Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-21 15:40:07
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
Character Breakdown: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Unpacks Their Jellicle Roles
by Luka Vonier - 2026-03-07 08:00:20
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
News
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2026
Tony and Grammy nominee Jennifer Simard currently performs in the Tony Award-winning musical SCHMIGADOON! at the Nederlander Theatre, taking on the role of Mildred Layton. Check out new photos from the production.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2026
Broadway, concert and cabaret star Avery Sommers is returning to New York City to headline her one-woman-show FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2026
The North American tour of the Tony-nominated musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will perform at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle from October 6–11. Based on Sara Gruen's bestselling novel, the production features a book by Rick Elice and music by PigPen Theatre Co.
by Harker Jones - Sep 16, 2026
Tony winner Darko Tresnjak directs a nuanced and unsettling update of the 1956 Swiss play, adapted here by Maurice Valency.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
Stephanie Pope and Vicki Lewis will guest star in separate performances of BROADWAY BARFLY LIVE!, a cabaret show celebrating Broadway nightlife and classic cocktails at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 16, 2026
Rosie O'Donnell will take on the role of Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW for a two-week limited run while Rachel Dratch takes a leave from the production.
by Sam Anctil - Sep 13, 2026
Don't say we didn't warn you! The North American Tour of Death Becomes Her is on its way to a city near you, launching at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio this September. Watch as we take you inside rehearsals with the company in this video!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2026
Broadway fans can now get a jumpstart on the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, as online pre-bidding is open. Participating shows include The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon! and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), plus more.
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 10, 2026
The producers of the new musical IMITATION OF LIFE have just announced that Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will star as “Delilah” in the upcoming world premiere engagement at The Griffin Theater at The Shed, in a co-production with National Black Theatre.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 9, 2026
Series historian David Van Deusen marks THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW's 65th anniversary with a new digital book, updated documentary and podcast episode featuring Larry Mathews, who played Ritchie Petrie.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2026
The new musical based on the critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, will play Broadway in Portland's Keller Auditorium this September and October.
by Theresa Bertram - Sep 8, 2026
What did our critic think of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: GREATEST HITS at Music Box Lounge Hot Springs?
by Andrew Child - Sep 8, 2026
“She’s larger than life,” Melinda Page Hamilton shares. “This (play) is big and feels a little impenetrable the first time reading it, but once I sunk my teeth in, it’s not what I was expecting.”
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2026
Schmigadoon!, which was originally scheduled to run on Broadway through early January 2027, has now been extended through early April 2027, adding 13 more weeks of performances.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2026
CUNY TV will premiere a new theater series hosted by Patrick Pacheco, evolving from THEATER: ALL THE MOVING PARTS, with senior producer Roberto Araujo joining as an on-air contributor.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2026
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is now playing on Broadway from Manhattan Theatre Club. Meet the cast of the play, which is now in previews.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show welcomed new cast members including Lorna Courtney, Kevin McHale, Jimin Moon, George Salazar and Valentina. Plus, current “Phantom” Paul Soileau is playing the role of “Frank-N-Furter.' Check out all new photos of the cast!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2026
Jayson Borenstein will produce and star in the rarely staged Mel Brooks musical, with Julia Germer, at the Ethical Society Auditorium during the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
by Gavin Glynn - Sep 3, 2026
HERE'S TO US! Celebrating thirty years of presenting not oft-enough produced musicals from Broadway to Los Angeles! Featuring memorable songs from critically acclaimed productions including Titanic, Fanny, The Pajama Game, Sunday in the Park with George, and many more, the concert offers audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that has defined more than 125 Musical Theatre Guild concert readings. Inspired by Stephen Sondheim’s celebrated lyric, “Here’s to us! Who’s like us? Damn few!,” the evening celebrates the performers, directors, musicians, volunteers, patrons, and supporters who have shaped Musical Theatre Guild over the past three decades while raising funds to support the Guild’s youth education initiatives. https://www.musicaltheatreguild.com/show/heres-to-us/
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2026
St. Malachy's - The Actors' Chapel will host its annual BROADWAY INTERFAITH CELEBRATION, featuring a conversation with Baayork Lee and solo performances from Broadway artists in the Theatre District.
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), 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 received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. Her accolades include a Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for The Visit, and a John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Theatre World Awards. She earned an Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical Helen Hayes Award for The Visit, and an Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical Drama Desk Award for Nine. Rivera has also been honored with The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards. Her role in Kiss of the Spider Woman earned her a Best Actress - Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, an Outstanding Actress - Musical Drama Desk Award, and a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award. Additionally, she received a Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards. Her performance in The Rink garnered her an Outstanding Actress in a Musical Drama Desk Award and a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award.
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