Broadway legend Chita Rivera received New Dramatists' 2006 Career Achievement Award on Thursday,
May 18th at the New York Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway, between 45th
and 46th Streets) at their annual spring luncheon.
Rivera
has been a consistent and dynamic presence on Broadway for over half a
century. She most recently starred in the New York-bound Kander and Ebb
musical The Visit at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Rivera is a two-time Tony Award winner for The Rink and Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and also received nods for her performances in Nine (her most recent Broadway appearance), Jerry's Girls, Merlin, Bring Back Birdie, the original production of Chicago and Bye Bye, Birdie. Rivera originated the role of Anita in West Side Story, and has also been seen on Broadway in Can-Can, Mr. Wonderful, Shinbone Alley and Bajour, as well as in touring productions of Pippin and Sweet Charity. Rivera is a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree.