"Women
in Theatre," CUNY TV's long-running salute to the "remarkably diverse
and talented women working in today's theatre," hosted by Newsday
theatre critic Linda Winer, will repeat an
interview with musical theatre icon Chita Rivera on Friday, Dec. 9 (2006) at 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., with a repeat on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 12 noon.
On Dec. 11th, Rivera will celebrate the opening night of Chita
Rivera - The Dancer's Life at the Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway. The show is directed by Graciela Daniele, who has also been featured in "Women in
Theatre."
In the interview, Rivera will "talk about the great shows she's been
part of, including WestSide Story, Bye Bye Birdie, andChicago,
and the joy of pioneering a role. She also talks about her life and
the accident that nearly curtailed her extraordinary career," state press notes.
Now in its third season on CUNY TV, "Women in Theatre" is videotaping
its fourth season for premiere in 2006. Upon completion, the series
will have completed 52 half-hour interviews as a legacy for theatre
lovers now and in the future.Rivera
has been a consistent and dynamic presence on Broadway for over half a
century. She most recently starred in the New York-bound Kander and Ebb
musical The Visit at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Rivera is a two-time Tony Award winner for The Rink and Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and also received nods for her performances in Nine (her most recent Broadway appearance), Jerry's Girls, Merlin, Bring Back Birdie, the original production of Chicago and Bye Bye, Birdie. Rivera originated the role of Anita in West Side Story, and has also been seen on Broadway in Can-Can, Mr. Wonderful, Shinbone Alley and Bajour, as well as in touring productions of Pippin and Sweet Charity.
The television station of City University of New York, CUNY TV is
cablecast in New York City's five boroughs on Ch. 75 on Time Warner and
Cablevision Systems. It is also carried on RCN Cable. "Women in
Theatre" is a presentation of The League of Professional Theatre Women
in alliance with CUNY TV. It is cablecast on Fridays and Sundays, and
can also be seen on the web at www.cuny.tv.
