Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Presents Chita Rivera, 8/7-11

Two-Time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will perform songs from her legendary Broadway career in her own concert Chita Rivera: MY BROADWAY presented by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, August 7-11 at the Civic Center Musical Hall. Ms. Rivera will be accompanied by a full orchestra led by music director Michael Croiter, and will perform selections from her most celebrated musicals, including numbers from WEST SIDE STORY (“America”), SWEET CHARITY (“Where Am I Going?” and “Big Spender”), CHICAGO (“All That Jazz” and “Nowadays”), KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, BYE BYE BIRDIE and THE RINK, featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Charles Strouse, Stephen Sondheim and Cy Coleman, among others.

“We are extremely honored that Chita has come to share her immense talent with the people of Oklahoma,” said Michael Baron, Lyric’s artistic director. “For Lyric’s patrons, seeing MY BROADWAY will be a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience. It has been a pleasure to celebrate her vast career throughout our summer season.”
Chita Rivera is an accomplished and versatile actress, singer and dancer who has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical (KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, THE RINK) and received seven additional Tony nominations. Chita has performed her critically-acclaimed concert dates around the world in such cities as New York, London, Monte Carlo, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Toronto, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Cannes, Chicago and San Juan among many others. On October 13, 2009, Chita released a new solo studio CD entitled “And I Now Swing” (Yellow Sound label), which pays homage to her stage legacy while also displaying her passion for jazz. From classic theatre songs to jazz standards, all tracks featured on this new album have received new arrangements recorded by New York’s finest musicians, reimagining some of Chita’s favorite tunes. She recently starred in the Broadway and touring productions of THE DANCER’S LIFE, a dazzling new musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele.

In 2009, Rivera recreated her starring role in THE VISIT, the new Kander/Ebb/McNally musical at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA (originally done at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago in 2001) for which she received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. Chita received The Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama on August 12, 2009 and also received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, DC in December, 2002, and was the first Hispanic ever chosen to receive this award. She also starred in the revival of the Broadway musical NINE with Antonio Banderas.