Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life Announces "Broadway Gives-Back Fund" Pay What You Can Opportunity

In light of the recent closing notice, the dancers of Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE have announced "THE BROADWAY GIVES-BACK FUND," whereby they will subsidize the purchase of tickets to the final performances of CHITA RIVERA: THE DANCER'S LIFE for students and up-and-coming performers. The show play's its last performance this Sunday (2/19).

At the end of her new Broadway show, Chita tells her audience, "Now it's time to give back." And her dancers are taking unprecedented action by creating a fund in which they will personally subsidize tickets for deserving young theatergoers who may not be able to afford it. According to cast member Lainie Sakakura, "We believe that every young dancer should see this show before it ends its Broadway run. If anyone aspires to perform on Broadway, and they could see only one show, THE DANCER'S LIFE is it!"

To benefit from "THE BROADWAY GIVES BACK FUND," and receive subsidized tickets to Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE, go to the show's website - www.thedancerslife.com -- and write the cast a note about why you want to see THE DANCER'S LIFE, and how much you can pay for your ticket.

Submissions will be considered on a first-come-first served basis.

Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE, a musical celebrating the life and career of one of America's most beloved stage performers, written by four time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally; with direction and choreography by Graciela Daniele; and musical concepts, arrangements and direction by Mark Hummel, opened on Broadway on Sunday, December 11, 2005, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45 Street). Created by Mr. McNally, Ms. Daniele and Mr. Hummel, Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE is produced on Broadway by Marty Bell, Aldo Scrofani, Martin Richards, Chase Mishkin, Bernard Abrams/Michael Speyer, Tracy Aron, Joe McGinnis in association with Stefany Bergson, Scott Prisand/Jennifer Maloney, G. Marlyne Sexton, Judith Ann Abrams/Jamie DeRoy and Addiss/ Rittereiser/Carragher.

This musical, featuring a cast of 11, offers its audience a rare look into a time when great musical numbers in the theater were born, as related and performed by the woman for whom they were created. Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE is a magical tour through landmarks in the American theater that were fashioned by some of the greatest talents in its history, including Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, Harold Prince and Kander & Ebb, and will feature new songs by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Along the way, Rivera and company celebrate some of her most stunning and legendary Broadway performances - from West Side Story to Chicago to Kiss of the Spider Woman.

"Chita Rivera is our strongest link to the Golden Age of the American Musical. She worked with all the great choreographers and composers and was present at the creation of such seminal masterpieces as "The Dance at the Gym" from West Side Story, when the talent in the room was a veritable Mount Rushmore of the American theater: Bernstein, Sondheim, Robbins, Laurents and Prince," said Terrence McNally. "I hope our show reminds audiences of what that level of theater was like and what it still can be if the talent, the technique and the passion are there. Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE looks back in order to look forward."

Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE features scenic design by Loy Arcenas, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Tickets for Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE ($56.25-$101.25) are available at the Schoenfeld Theatre Box Office and via Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or Telecharge.com.

Performance Schedule for the final week is:

Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Thursday at 8 p.m.
Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday at 3 p.m.

www.thedancerslife.com