I got to work with her and meet her during the run of the NINE revival. I just always thought she’d be here forever… So sad.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Legend is to me one of the most overused words there is, especially on boards like this one. It is not overused here; hell, she was one of the reasons the word was invented. I first saw her in Bajour, when I was about 15. Have been a big fan since that time. My favorite performance of hers was Velma Kelly, with The Visit another very special performance.
She appeared in a few really bad clinkers -- I saw Bring Back Birdie and Merlin -- but she overcame that by simply being much better than her material.
A giant of the business and a true loss. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and enriching the world of dance, the musical theater, and our lives, Ms. Rivera.
She was a class act on and off the stage. She will be greatly missed.
Truly one of Broadway's all time brightest stars. What a legendary career and it seemed clear from those in the industry that she was even more beloved as a person than a performer. May she RIP.
This is very sad news. I don’t live in New York, so I do feel fortunate to have been able to see her twice (in Chicago and The Visit). Truly a phenomenal performer.
What more can be said? She was the quintessential Broadway legend. She had an amazing life and career spanning nearly 70 years, dazzled countless audiences and mentored countless young performers. They don’t make them like her anymore.
Was flying home from my New York trip when this popped up via The Hollywood Reporter , I actually let out an oh my god. So glad I got to see her in Kiss of The Spiderwoman ( how could I forget that ) and The Visit. Rest in peace.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/6/23
"I'm gonna get up, I'm gonna get out, I'm gonna get up, get out and live it!"
And she did. Thank you, Chita Rivera for all that you gave us.
In 1984 I was twenty-four and left my Southern state to fly to New York to see Chita Rivera in The Rink. I have loved her ever since. I made return trips to see her in Jerry's Girls and, most memorably, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Legend is a word too often bandied about. In the case of Chita Rivera, it fits!
Stars in the House is LIVE
Kad said: "They don’t make them like her anymore."
This is surely true. But I'd like to think - and I'd like to think that Chita would, too - that performers are being born now who will be as well suited to the musical theater of their time as she was to hers.
I missed her in Kiss of the Spider Woman (I saw an excellent if imperfect Carol Lawrence instead), but I'm so grateful that I saw her in Drood twice, and in The Visit in different productions at Signature and on Broadway.
The epitome of a THEATRE star: rarely worked on screen, but a constant presence in the theatre for 7 decades.
Do we know what her last public performance was? I know she had some shows last summer (including one where she, scarily, fell off the stage).
How lucky we were to live at the same time as her.
Never had the fortune to see her on stage. Saw her being interviewed a few times on television and was so inspired by her. What a life! And she came across as so sincere and humble. RIP
Stand-by Joined: 7/17/19
She was true Broadway royalty. For me, she set the bar high for any performer playing Velma Kelly after her, and IMO, no one has come close to Chita's performance. I'm glad I got to see her several more times after Chicago including her The Dancer's Life in 2006. I kick myself for not rushing to see The Visit when the early closing announcement was made. Thank you for enriching our lives, Ms. Rivera. May you entertain the heavens.
Updated On: 1/31/24 at 12:29 AM
https://www.facebook.com/17841401852924203/videos/1799559630557283/
In her own words......
Featured Actor Joined: 10/14/19
This one really hit me. I had the honor to see her on stage only once, and it was on a whim with The Visit. After the show I was one of three people at the stage door, and she took time to talk with each of us, sign, and take photos. What an absolutely extraordinary person who will be missed greatly.
I was fortunate to have seen Chita Rivera in Jerry's Girls, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, A Dancer's Life, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, but for some reason I will always remember her as the original Anita in West Side Story.
For those saying these things come in three's and wondering who the third might be, we recently lost Maurine Hines.
Featured Actor Joined: 9/25/22
This one stings.
I only saw Chita once, in Drood, but she was so lovely at the stage door and always so vivacious in her interviews I somehow convinced myself I'd get the chance to see her again in something.
Life is so short. She made the most of it. What a superb performer and person.
Did they end up doing something in her honor at Chicago?
Listener said: "This one stings.
I only saw Chita once, in Drood, but she was so lovely at the stage door and always so vivacious in her interviews I somehow convinced myself I'd get the chance to see her again in something.
Life is so short. She made the most of it. What a superb performer and person.
Did they end up doing something in her honor at Chicago?"
There was mention made at the CHICAGO curtain call.
I hope we get an announcement that they are dimming the theatre lights for Chita. Although, Charlotte St. Martin might want to fumble the ball one more time before she leaves.
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