Chita Rivera to Host A HALLOWEEN THRILLER at NY City Center, 10/31

Rolex presents A HALLOWEEN THRILLER A Dance Celebration of Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires & Wilis, - Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th and 7th Ave) NYC. It will be followed by a Masquerade Supper with the Stars at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. This thrilling Gala Performance will astonish with fun and spine-tingling works in an array of styles from some of America's greatest dance companies and Broadway - woven together in a "spook-tacular" celebration of dance. Chita Rivera will host this one-night-only entertainment extravaganza for kids and adults of all ages!

Chita Rivera is regarded as an American National Treasure. She is one of Broadway's most accomplished and versatile dancer/actress/singers. Chita has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and has received six additional Tony Award nominations. She most recently appeared on Broadway in Chita Rivera: the Dancer's Life, the story of her own life in the theater; receiving a Tony nomination for this performance. Prior to this was the Tony Award winning revival of Nine, starring Antonio Banderas. As a youngster, Chita was admitted to the George Balanchine's School of American Ballet and was awared a scholarhsip on the basis of her audition. A few years later Broadway called with a tour of Call Me Madam starring Elaine Stritch. Other roles quickly followed in such shows as Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, and Mr. Wonderful with Sammy Davis Jr. Broadway history was made when Chita's electric performance as Anita in West Side Story brought her stardom; followed by the starring role in Bye Bye Birdie. Acclaimed roles and honors continued with Chicago, The Rink and many others. Around the nation or on tour, she subsequently starred in Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, The Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Anything Goes and Kander and Ebb's The Visit; as well as a national tour of Can-Can with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes to name only a few. Chita also played Nicky in the film version of "Sweet Charity" with Shirley MacLaine. In a wry tribute to Nicky, Chita's most recent screen appearance was a cameo in the film version of "Chicago." She is the first Hispanic woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honors award and was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is a past receipent of the Career Transition For Dancers Award for her contributions to dance and also the prestigious Rolex Dance Award.

Rolex Watch USA. President & CEO Stewart Wicht stated "Rolex is proud to present Career Transition For Dancers' Gala. It is our pleasure to present the 2011 Rolex Dance Award to Mr. Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator/executive producer of "So You Think You Can Dance" and Executive Producer of "American Idol". We salute his extraordinary ability to successfully heighten the public's awareness of dance in America and throughout the world." Nigel Lythgoe stated "I am honored to be receiving the 2011 Rolex Dance Award at Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary Jubilee. Rolex has been a proud presenter of this annual dance extravaganza for many years, and a wonderful advocate of the organization's vital programs and services on behalf of dancers nationwide. I am thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary evening of dance, and all for a very worthwhile organization!"

Career Transition For Dancers, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, has helped over 5,100 professional dancers in 47 states identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has provided more than 51,000 hours (equivalent to over $5 million) of one-on-one career counseling and program services - at no cost - and has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships for education, entrepreneurial grants, and certification programs. The organization also provides dancers with specialized services that include transition seminars and workshops, peer support groups, resource centers, a toll-free national career counseling hotline, a website, and a National Career Network. The Caroline & Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers is located at 165 W 46 Street Suite 701 (at Broadway - the Actors' Equity Building) NYC 10036. The phone number is 212 764-0172 and the fax is 212 764-0343. In Los Angeles 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 455, LA; 90036; call 323 549-6660 and fax 323 549-6810. In Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance Center 1147 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607; call 312 666-0234 and fax 312 455-8240.
Patron tickets are $600, $750 & $1,200. Tables for 10 start at $7,500. They include premium performance seating, post-performance Masquerade Supper with the Stars, dancing and a live auction at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Sponsorships are also available, as well as Halloween Journal ads. For gala information and Patron tickets please call Marjorie Horne, McEvoy & Assocs. at 212 228-7446 x33. For group sales call 718 499-9691. Show only tickets $130--$45 are available by contacting CITYTIX 212 581-1212 or nycitycenter.org.