The Ultimate Chita Rivera Role?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 1:06pm

In celebration of Chita's new show coming to Broadway. I thought it would be fun to discuss what we thought is the ultimate role this Broadway legend has played.. We did this a while ago for Gwen, and it was fun.

Anita - West Side Story 1957
Rose Grant - Bye Bye Birdie 1961 Tony Nom. Best Featured Actress
Anyanka - Bajour 1964
Velma Kelly - Chicago 1976 Tony Nom. Best Actress
The Queen - Merlin 1983 Tony Nom. Best Actress
Anna - The Rink 1984 Tony WIN Best Actress
Spider Woman / Aurora - Kiss Of The Spider Woman 1993 Tony WIN Best Actress
*Other

I didn't list all her roles, but feel free to choose "other" for a role that wasn't listed.

For me it's between - Anita, Rosie, and Velma. I can't choose. This was a lot easier to choose for Gwen.

If I really had to choose I would have to say Velma Kelly, because Chicago is obviously my favorite Musical.

So what do you think is the ultimate Chita role?



Updated On: 9/24/05 at 01:06 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 1:12pm

I'm very partial to The Rink, I just love listening to that music. Anita and Velma are historic too. When I listen to WSS, it's hard to tell that that's Chita. In most of the other recordings, I can tell it's her.

So I'm going to go with The Rink, but since it's not very popular I'm not too sure how that would do. I would maybe say Velma Kelly, although Anita in the purple dress is very icnographic!

Posted: 9/24/05 at 1:35pm

I have to say The Rink. It was her show. Well.... K&E wrote it for her and then came LIZA! I know Liza kept it running longer than it might have without her but originally it was Ms. Rivera's show and she did a wonderful job.






Updated On: 9/24/05 at 01:35 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 1:58pm

Yeah, Glad The Rink got another vote! Chita's name came before Liza's anyways :)

BTW, I found a new copy of The Rink Songbook in my school library last week and I made some copy's of some music. I was SO EXCITED that the book existed!

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 3:51pm

I know Chita has more fans than this!

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 3:54pm

Hard to say, because I've never seen her perform any of her historic roles. But I think I'm gonna go with Velma Kelly.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 4:04pm

I would really have to Anita
Anita made Chita a star

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 4:14pm

my vote is, of course, for Rosie in Bring Back Birdie!!!

[Bwaydreams01]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:04pm

I have to say that I loved Chita in Pippin as Fastrada, I thought she was briliant. I'd say it's a tie between Velma and Anita though.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:11pm

Bring Back Birdie?!!! That was a major embarrasment for everyone involved. Now BYE BYE BIRDIE is the one to remember.
The ULTIMATE Chita Rivera "Role" for me is that she is THE FIERCEST PUERTO RICAN THEATRE DIVA on THE GREAT WHITE WAY!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:18pm

Well she was Tony Nominated for BRING BACK BIRDIE.

But it's basically the same role as BYE BYE, so I didn't list that. Plus it was a huge flop.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:20pm

"Plus it was a huge flop."

So what?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:24pm

We know you're flop addict, bso.

But Marquise put it best, it was a big embarrasment for everyone involved.

Now back to, the queen aka Chita.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 6:27pm

I'd have to say Anita in WEST SIDE STORY followed by Velma and then Anna in THE RINK (God, I freakin love that show!).

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:21pm

Hello, we have to give her credit for Kiss of the Spider Woman! Maybe nobody has mentioned it because she didn't carry the whole show because Brent Carver and Anthony Crivello were awesome too. But when I listen to the recording and Chita sings the title song, wow, when she belts the last note is just mesmerizing!
Also, since Chicago is my favorite show, I'll have to say Velma Kelly is Chita's greatest role. Don't forget she did Roxie in the revival, was she good?

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:40pm

Chita will always be Anita in my opinon. Thats the role Ill always remember her for.

[AAO26]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 9:19pm

Spider Woman/Aurora

Brilliant!

[Broadway_Baby]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 10:58pm

Rosie....oh yes.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 11:30pm

i would have to say Velma Kelly or Anita..i would of loved to have seen her in both..i wish she would reprise the role of velma in the revival of chicago.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 2:33pm

bumpie for Chita

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 2:53pm

I'm torn between The Rink and Chicago. The Rink is very flawed, but Chita is fierce in it. And she will always be the ultimate Velma, and the ultimate Anita.

I also enjoy her need to play characters with names ending in A.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:41pm

Bumping because Chita rocks my world.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:50pm

Chita was incredible in Bring Back Birdie and Merlin. I love this woman and I wish The Dancer's Life was a better show to highlight this talented woman.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:54pm

I don't know. Seeing the show last night reaffirmed that you can put that woman on stage witha dictionary and she would make it look brillant. She is just amazing even though the material, while enjoyable is not exactly up to par. Its not the worst thing I have ever seen and is defently enjoyable. I adore her!

On the main topic, I'd have to say Velma. She is damn fierce during All That Jazz.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 5:57pm

Anyanka the gypsy in Bajour is one