Chita Rivera Will Return To Birdland October 14-17

Two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will return to Birdland (315 West 44 Street, NYC) to in October of this year.

The celebrated entertainer will perform Wednesday-Thursday, October 14-15 at 8:30pm and Friday-Saturday, October 16-17 at 8:30 & 11pm.

For more information, call 212-581-3080 or visit www.BirdlandJazz.com.

Universally regarded as an American national treasure, Chita Rivera is Broadway's most accomplished and versatile dancer/actress/singer. A recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center honor, presented by the President of the United States, Chita has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and has received six additional Tony Award nominations. Broadway history was made when Chita's electric performance as Anita in the 1957 premier of Broadway's West Side Story brought her international stardom. Chita is also well known for her starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, and Zorba. She most recently appeared on Broadway in Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, the story of her own life in the theater. Her most recent Broadway appearance previous to this was in the Tony Award winning revival of Nine, starring Antonio Banderas. Don't miss the opportunity to see this legendary Broadway starlet as she lights up the Birdland stage for this intimate club run!

On July 30, 2009, Chita Rivera was named by President Obama as one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. America's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

In response to the recognition, Rivera issued the following statement:

"When my mother was a child, she rolled Easter eggs on the lawn of the White House. And now, to receive The Medal of Freedom from our President, is truly a dream. I am deeply honored to receive this award and to be in such distinguished company. I only wish my parents were here to share it with...but they are!"

 

This year's awardees were chosen for their work as agents of change. Among their many accomplishments in fields ranging from sports and art to science and medicine to politics and public policy, these men and women have changed the world for the better. They have blazed trails and broken down barriers. They have discovered new theories, launched new initiatives, and opened minds to new possibilities.

President Obama said, "These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way. Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom."

An accomplished and versatile actress/singer/dancer, Chita Rivera has won Two Tony Awards (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink) and received seven additional Tony Award nominations. She received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor (2002) and was the first Hispanic to receive this award. She also starred in the original Broadway productions Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, Jerry's Girls. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story (1957) brought her stardom. She recently recreated her starring role in the Kander/Ebb/McNally musical The Visit at the Signature Theatre, and starred in The Dancer's Life, an autobiographical musical about her celebrated life in the theatre (on Broadway and tour).

Additional starring roles include The Visit, Nine, Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba among many others.

President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 12 at The White House.

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