Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Birth : 1933-01-23,

History

American actress, dancer, and singer best known for creating roles in musical theatre hits such as Anita in "West Side Story," Rosie in "Bye Bye Birdie," Velma in "Chicago" and Aurora in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman." She has received 2 Tony Awards (from a record 10 nominations), a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal Of Freedom.

Profile

Chita Rivera

Movies

Studio One Forever
A documentary film about Studio One which, from 1974 to 1994, was the center of queer nightlife in West Hollywood as well as the staging ground for the rise of the LGBTQ rights movement and fight against the AIDS crisis.
Reopening: The Broadway Revival
Go behind the scenes of Broadway as shows reunite, rehearse and re-stage for their long-awaited reopening nights while the theater industry learns how to turn the lights back on after its longest hiatus in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Something's Coming: West Side Story
Self
Incredible video behind-the-scenes with the stars, Steven Spielberg, and see one of the last interviews with the legendary Stephen Sondheim.
tick, tick... BOOM!
"SUNDAY" Legend
On the cusp of his 30th birthday, Jonathon Larson, a promising young theater composer, navigates love, friendship, and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City.
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
Self
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age explores the world of Broadway from 1959 through the early 1980s as recounted by a diverse cast of Broadway stars who lived through it, creating a first-hand archive of personal backstage stories and memories. The new documentary is the long-awaited sequel to late filmmaker Rick McKay’s award-winning 2003 film Broadway: The Golden Age, continuing the saga into the '60s and '70s and spotlighting beloved classic Broadway shows including Once Upon a Mattress, Bye Bye Birdie, Barefoot in the Park, Pippin, A Chorus Line, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Chicago, and 42nd Street. Featuring a galaxy of stars including Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Glenn Close, André De Shields, Jane Fonda, Robert Goulet, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Dick Van Dyke, Ben Vereen, and many more, the film also includes rare archival photos and never-before-seen footage both onstage and off.
Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance
Self
Follow the fascinating evolution of jazz dance from its origins in Africa, through to its modern-day interpretations which reveal the political and social influences affecting the dance form today.
Chita: A Legendary Celebration
Self
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents a 2013 concert celebrating Chita Rivera's 80th birthday as a fundraiser to aid struggling artists during the pandemic. Chita offers a musical retrospective of her career in the theatre with guest stars Tommy Tune and Ben Vereen. Includes songs from 'Seventh Heaven,' 'West Side Story,' 'Bye Bye Birdie,' 'The Happy Time,' 'Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,' 'Chicago,' 'The Rink,' 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' & 'The Visit,' among others.
Amy's Victory Dance
Self
A New York City based former professional dancer crossed the street and was hit and ran over by a 15 ton New York City Express. As she regains awareness, her first thought, "Am I ever going to dance again?" Her second thought was " If I survive the night there will be a Victory Dance!"
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back
Herself
Maurice Hines, a charming, gay African-American entertainer navigates the complications of show business while grieving the loss of his more famous, often estranged younger brother, tap dance legend Gregory Hines.
Merely Marvelous: The Dancing Genius of Gwen Verdon
Herself
Merely Marvelous is a celebration of the art and life of Broadway's greatest dancing star, Gwen Verdon. She overcame many obstacles, including rickets, the Hollywood system, a loveless first marriage and a difficult second marriage to choreographer/director Bob Fosse, to become a multi-Tony Award-winning performer. Gwen's life is told through interviews with family members and theatre associates as well as a mine of rare footage from her Broadway and Hollywood careers. Merely Marvelous is the story of a brave woman who rose to the very top of her profession.
Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting
Broadway Diva
The stripper Tony and the naive enthusiast Anthony, two entertainers, destined for the big time, who are mismatched in a casting office from two very different online contests.
Every Act of Life
Self
The life of Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally (Master Class, Ragtime): 60 years of groundbreaking plays and musicals, the struggle for gay rights, addiction and recovery, finding true love, and the relentless pursuit of inspiration.
Bathtubs Over Broadway
Herself
When he started as a comedy writer for the Late Show with David Letterman, Steve Young had few interests and not many friends outside of his day job. But while gathering material for a segment on the show, Steve stumbled onto a few vintage record albums that would change his life forever.
West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
Self
As the world prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of West Side Story in 2017, dancer Bruno Tonioli and broadcaster Suzy Klein go in search of the true stories behind the inception of this classic show. For the first time on television, they hear first-hand from those involved in the show when it opened on Broadway in September 1957, including Sondheim himself, producer Hal Prince and original cast members from both show and movie, including Chita Rivera Carol Lawrence and Rita Moreno. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra and specially cast singers, we re-live some of the wonderful music and, in the company of Suzy and Bruno, we discover how West Side Story placed the 1950s phenomena of racial tension and teenage gangs centre stage to create a hit that changed musical theatre forever.
Chita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do
Self
A retrospective of Chita Rivera's film, television and stage career, including interviews with Dick Van Dyke, Ben Vereen, Carol Lawrence and others. Originally aired as Episode 2 of Season 43 of the PBS series Great Performances.
Waiting in the Wings: The Musical
Broadway Diva
Two entertainers destined for the big time are mismatched in a casting office from two very different online contests. Tony, a stripper from New York, is cast in an Off-Broadway musical and needs to trade in his tear-away trunks for tap shoes and tights. Anthony, a naive musical theatre enthusiast from Montana, needs to decide if he can strip all the way down just to stay in town. Hilarity ensues as they realize that "to make it" they're gonna have to learn some new tricks.
Private Screenings: Robert Osborne
Self
TCM host Robert Osborne discusses his life and career with guest interviewer Alec Baldwin in commemoration of Osborne's 20 years with the network.
A Place for Us - West Side Story's Legacy
Self
A documentary with stars from the original cast.
Kalamazoo?
Giannina
The story of three girlfriends who go back to Kalamazoo, Michigan for their 10 year high school reunion. There, they discover that a time capsule placed on their graduation night containing predictions would be opened. Horrified at the thought of having their unfulfilled goals made public, the three women decide to find the time capsule and destroy it before it is opened.
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
Spider Woman / Aurora (segment "Kiss Of The Spider Woman")
Broadway royalty and Tony-winners Tommy Tune, Carol Channing, Robert Goulet, and Harvey Fierstein are your hosts for this third compilation of great musical performances from the archives of the Tony Award® broadcasts. Legendary stars from legendary shows strut their stuff in 23 performances that have become part of Broadway history.
Broadway's Lost Treasures
Host (segment "Record Breakers") / Velma Kelly (segment "Chicago")
The golden age of the annual Tony Awards ceremony lasted from 1967 to 1986 — the period during which Alexander H. Cohen and his wife, Hildy Parks, were the producers of the show. This film offers a compilation of performances from Tony Award broadcasts during those years. They are presented with color-corrected footage and digitally re-mastered sound.
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Herself
Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Award-winning filmmaker Rick McKay filmed over 100 of the greatest stars ever to work on Broadway or in Hollywood. He soon learned that great films can be restored, fine literature can be kept in print - but historic Broadway performances of the past are the most endangered. They leave only memories that, while more vivid, are more difficult to preserve. In their own words — and not a moment too soon — Broadway: The Golden Age tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This is the largest cast of legends ever in one film.
Chicago
Nickie
Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.
My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
Self
Live from Carnegie Hall and hosted by Julie Andrews, a host of glittering Broadway stars sing Broadway's best and most enduring love songs. This production is a filmed record of a concert given on 16 October 2000 at the City Center for Music and Dance, New York City, to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. The occasion was particularly notable in that it marked Julie Andrews' (brief) return to singing in public after a four-year hiatus. Originally broadcast on PBS's "Great Performances" (season 29, episode 8).
The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle
Self (archive footage)
A profile of composing team John Kander and Fred Ebb, who have written many Broadway musicals. Highlights include interviews with Lauren Bacall, Joel Grey and others, as well as the two men themselves, plus clips of performances of their songs.
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
Herself
Broadway salute to Tony Award-winning actress Angela Lansbury in a star-packed gala November 17,1996 at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. The event was to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS research (AmFAR) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Long a supporter of AmFAR and a deeply committed friend to all people with HIV/AIDS, Lansbury was also presented with a humanitarian award at this star-packed celebration.
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
Self
The childhood, adolescence, and incredible adult years of Al Hirschfeld, celebrated creator of thousands of line drawings of famous people - many in the entertainment industry - over a span of more than sixty years. He is still drawing in his nineties. His interesting domestic life, political, and cultural views are highlights. In addition, he talks about himself a bit - seriously and lightly.(At one point he he claims that his only form of exercise has been to live in his Manhattan townhouse: stairs). He drives his car around Manhattan - an adventure in itself. Brief interviews with, and reminiscences of many friends and associates.
Night Of 100 Stars III
Self
A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
Mayflower Madam
Risa Dickstein
Inspired by the explosive sex-for-sale scandal that rocked Manhattan in 1984, the infamous Sydney Biddle Barrows, a driven young socialite, opens an exclusive escort service catering to the wealthy and affluent. From Sydney's rise to become a million-dollar, modern-day madam to her notorious plummet into bankruptcy and public disgrace, experience a private glimpse into the forbidden world of high-class prostitution-where money talks...pleasure sells...and discretion is everything.
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
This special is the second "Night of 100 Stars" to benefit The Actors Fund of America. Edited from a seven-hour live entertainment marathon that was taped February 17, 1985, at New York's Radio City Music Hall, this sequel to the 1982 "Night of 100 Stars" special features 288 celebrities.
That's Dancing!
From 'Sweet Charity' (archive footage)
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from it's orgins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and 60s up to the break dance and the music videos from the 80s.
Pippin
Fastrada
The musical uses the premise of a mysterious performance troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. In 1981, a stage production of Pippin was videotaped for Canadian television. The stage production was directed by Kathryn Doby, Bob Fosse's dance captain for the original Broadway production, and David Sheehan directed the video adaptation, with Roger O. Hirson in charge of the music. Ben Vereen returned for the role of Leading Player, while William Katt played the role of Pippin. However, this version was a truncated adaptation and several sections of the play were cut. An extended version running 135 minutes is also available.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Our Guests at Heartland
A small town band makes it big, but loses track of their roots, as they get caught up into the big-time machinations of the music biz. Now, they must thwart a plot to destroy their home town. Built around the music of The Beatles, this musical uses some big name groups like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith.
Once Upon a Brothers Grimm
Gingerbread Lady
While traveling to meet with the Hessian King, the famed Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, travel through an enchanted forest where they find themselves trapped in the world of their fairy tales.
The Marcus-Nelson Murders
Josie Hopper
A homicide detective begins to suspect that the black teenager accused of murdering two white girls is being framed by his fellow detectives.
Sweet Charity
Nickie
Taxi dancer, Charity continues to have faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and hope that she will finally meet the nice young man to romance her away from her sleazy life.
From Stage to Screen---A Director's Dilemma
Universal short chronicling the adaptation of the musical SWEET CHARITY from Broadway to film.