Radio City Rockettes to Perform Opening Number at the Chita Rivera Awards

It was announced today that The Radio City Rockettes will open this year's Chita Rivera Awards with a show stopping performance of "New York, New York." The Rockettes history with Chita Rivera dates back more than 30 years when the renowned precision dance company performed alongside Rivera in the 1988 tour of Can-Can.

The 2019 Chita Rivera Awards will be presented on thisSunday, May 19 at 7:30pm at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place off Washington Square Park), and produced by Joe Lanteri, Founder and Executive Director of the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with Patricia Watt.

Tickets to the Chita Rivera Awards are available to the general public at www.ChitaRiveraAwards.com

"We are elated that the legendary Radio City Rockettes will open the Chita Rivera Awards ceremony this year," said producer Joe Lanteri. "No American dance company is more recognizable or beloved than The Rockettes, and we are thrilled that they will kick off this year's ceremony with a dazzling performance as we celebrate and honor the best in Broadway, off-Broadway, and film choreographic achievement."

The Radio City Rockettes have long been considered American icons - from their founding in St. Louis in 1925 as the "Missouri Rockets," through their move to New York City in 1927 and their participation in the opening of Radio City Music Hall in 1932, to their starring role in the Christmas Spectacular. The all-female dance company is renowned for their ability to perform complex and intricate precision choreography all while embodying strength, teamwork and unity. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes has been a beloved holiday tradition for more than 85 years and brings joy to the more than one million people annually that see the production at Radio City Music Hall. Outside of the Christmas Spectacular, the Radio City Rockettes have performed at some of the most important events in entertainment, including their annual appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, and on multiple national television programs including the Today Show, Live with Kelly & Ryan, Good Morning America, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, America's Got Talent, The Wendy Williams Show and Project Runway. The Rockettes have also performed at the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NBA All-Star Game and the MLB Home Run Derby.

It was also announced today that Carol Paumgarten will receive the Vanguard Award for her outstanding contribution to the international dance community. Carol founded Steps on Broadway Dance Studio 40 years ago. Steps is recognized, around the world, as the premiere professional training center in New York City.

At this year's Chita Rivera Awards, dancer, choreographer and theater director Graciela Daniele will receive the third annual Lifetime Achievement Award, and Flody Suarez, Jeffrey Seller, and Cher (producers of The Cher Show on Broadway) will be honored with the Ambassador for the Arts Award honoring their contribution to the convergence of theater, film, and television. George C. Wolfe will be presented with the SDC Director Award for exemplary collaboration with choreographers on Broadway.