Rivera to Perform 'Up Close' in the West End in Sept.

Broadway legend Chita Rivera will bring her cabaret show "Up Close" to the West End this fall, according to Whatsonstage.com.  It will play Wyndham's Theatre from September 10th through 23rd.

The show will, according to the article, be "presented as part of what's hoped will become a regular season, held at different venues but all under the title 'The American Songbook in London.'"

"Over the last few years on my trips to London, I have noticed the absence of what we in America think of as 'cabaret' – that sophisticated, witty, introspective evocation of the words and music of our greatest composers – and have wanted to try and bring that sort of entertainment back to the London cultural map. We are excited to be launching this special series as part of that vision, and look forward to establishing a permanent cabaret venue in London, in the near future," said American Keith Turnipseed, who will produce "Up Close" with cabaret star Jeff Harnar.

Rivera has been a consistent and dynamic presence on Broadway for over half a century. She recently received a Tony Award nomination for Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. Rivera is a two-time Tony Award winner for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman, 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, and in Kander and Ebb's The Visit at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.  She will star in Signature Theatre's upcoming production of The Visit in Arlington, VA this fall.

To post a comment, you must register and login.