Chita Rivera's Review from Australia

[AAO26]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 8:34pm

A twin-Tony, all-singing, all-dancing Broadway star downunder. No, not what's under the bonnet of a Ferrari Superamerica ('though it might be a strangely apt comparison), but the overdue local advent of 'the real thing', as Liza intoned.

Her resume reads like the Encyclopaedia Britannica of musical theatre: next to her, there is no other Anita (West Side Story), for example. She forged the template on both NY and London stages.

Icon? Yes. Living legend. You bet! But lofty reputations can be dangerous, often precipitating disappointment when not immediately or absolutely realised on the night.

Dare I admit for the first few numbers I was worried? But I needn't have, for once the voice and other parts were up to operating temperature, the celebrated veteran hardly needed a spotlight; her incandescent presence commanding complete focus. From Jacques Brel's mesmerising meditation on the whirlwind of life, Carousel, onwards, it was all upwards; highlight after highlight, from Chicago to The Rink. Suddenly, the polish, the self-assured demeanour, the deceptively casual approach, the untouchable phrasing and lyrical sensibility coalesced to convince even the most bitter-and-twisted cynic there is, after all, elusive magic in great American song-and-dancers tackling great American (and other) songs (and dances).

Still sensual and entrancing at (ahem) a certain age, every movement was a work of fine art. Catherine Zeta-Jones might be better-known for her voluptuous vamp, but Fossey invented it and Rivera perfected it.

Her affection for Australia seemed real, rather than expedient and her string of Strine, to the tune of Waltzing Matilda was an unexpected gift to an audience falling at her feet, clearly having waited, in many cases, with bated breath, to see what they'd only heard, or read, to this point.

Sometimes, it's easy to believe charisma is as American as apple-pie, Starbucks or wars on terror.

If Liza's alpha, Chita's beta.

http://www.sydneystage.com.au/content/view/221/29/

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 8:22am

I have loved Chita Rivera since WEST SIDE STORY and BYE,BYE BIRDIE. She made the flop BAJOUR enjoyable and was great in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. She has had great stage presence and owns the stage whenever she is on. Long may she continue.

Updated On: 8/25/06 at 08:22 AM

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 8:22am

Updated On: 8/25/06 at 08:22 AM