STAGE TUBE: On This Day 1/23- Chita Rivera
By: Nicole Rosky
Welcome to BWW's ON THIS DAY Series celebrating theatrical birthdays, openings and special events that took place on this day in theatre history!
Happy Birthday, Chita Rivera! A two-time Tony Award winner, Rivera made her Broadway debut in 1953 in Can-Can, launching one of the most celebrated and long-lasting Broadway careers. Her electric performance as Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Storybrought her stardom. She most recently starred as Princess Puffer in the Roundabout Theatre Company's celebrated Broadway revival The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
In celebration of this day, we bring you our favorite Chita performances from years past. Click below to check them out!
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best New Musical - Top 3
1.
Schmigadoon!
32.8% of votes
2.
The Lost Boys
28.7% of votes
3.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
24.3% of votes
Videos