Roundabout Theatre Company to Honor Chita Rivera at 2022 Gala PAINT THE TOWN

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the 2022 Gala "Paint the Town" will honor RTC alumna and friend Chita Rivera (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Nine) on Monday, March 7 at 7pm at the Ziegfield Ballroom in New York City.

The evening will celebrate Ms. Rivera's contribution to the theater and include the presentation of The Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre, named after the late Jason Robards for his longstanding relationship with Roundabout and memorable body of stage work. It is given to those who have made an indelible impact on both theatre and Roundabout.

The evening will also feature dinner, a live auction and special concert performance with a musical artist to be announced soon.

For everyone's protection, the most current of COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be in place including mask and vaccination requirements for guests and staff. For more information, visit https://www.ziegfeldballroom.com/covid19-response.

All proceeds from the 2022 Gala benefit Roundabout Theatre Company's myriad theatrical and educational programs and support efforts to amplify and strengthen the company's commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - both on and off their stages.

The evening is being co-chaired by Samantha Rudin Earls and David Earls and Michael Slocum and Chaya Slocum. The Education Paddle Raise is sponsored by Capital One.

Gala Tickets range from $2,500 - $10,000 and include seating for the dinner and performance, and an invitation to the private cocktail party with Roundabout artists starting at $3,500 (pending COVID-19 restrictions). Gala Tables start at $25,000 and include a table of ten for dinner and the performance.

A theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents, 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. A versatile actress/singer/dancer, her most recent starring roles include 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. 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 17) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story brought her stardom, which she repeated in London. Her career is 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 current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her most treasured production is her daughter, singer/dancer/choreographer Lisa Mordente.

To purchase tickets or a table to Roundabout's 2022 Gala, contact: events@roundabouttheatre.org

For more information: https://gala.roundabouttheatre.org