Chita Rivera Returns To Birdland 11/26-27

The legendary Chita Rivera returns to Birdland (315 West 44 Street) for four shows only Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27 at 8:30PM and 11:30 PM. The show will feature the multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway star performing selections from her most celebrated musicals including numbers from West Side Story Sweet Charity, Chicago, The Rink and more. Ms. Rivera will be accompanied by a four-piece band led by music director Michael Croiter that includes Michael Patrick Walker, Jim Donica and Dan Willis.

An accomplished and versatile actress/singer/dancer, Ms. Rivera has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and received seven additional Tony nominations. She has been touring the world with her concert Chita Rivera: My Broadway, starred in the new Kander/Ebb/McNally musical The Visit at Signature Theatre, and the Broadway and touring productions of Chita Rivera - The Dancer's Life. Last year, Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in December 2002 ,the first Hispanic ever chosen to receive this award. It was her electric performance as Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Story (1957) which brought her stardom. She starred in the original Broadway productions of such landmark musicals as Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Bye Bye Birdie among many others.

Ms. Rivera's current solo studio album, AND NOW I SWING, features new arrangements of classic theatre songs as well as jazz standards, paying homage to her stage legacy while displaying her passion for jazz. The CD is produced by her music director Michael Croiter for the Yellow Sound Label.

Chita Rivera will have the following performance schedule at Birdland: Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27 at 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM. Tickets are $40 (side seating) and $50 (center seating) and may be obtained by calling (212) 581-3080 or online at www.birdlandjazz.com.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy

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