The Dancer's Life Tour Begins in Cincinnati, Dec. 19

Broadway legend and two-time Tony Award-winner Chita Rivera will kick off the national tour of her autobiographical Broadway musical Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life at the Aronoff Theater in Cincinnati December 19 - 31, 2006.

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, according to press notes, "is a dazzling musical celebrating the life and career of one of America's most beloved stage performers.  Written by four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally, this musical and biographical love letter is directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele.  Chita Rivera is joined on tour by a cast of Broadway's most talented singers and dancers who celebrate some of her most stunning and legendary Broadway performances - from West Side Story to Chicago to Kiss of The Spider Woman."

The Dancer's Life "offers audiences a rare look into that moment when great musical numbers in the theatre were born, as related and performed b y the woman for whom they were created.  The show is a magical tour through landmark creations in the American theatre that were helmed by some of the greatest talents in its history, including Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion and Michael Kidd and features new songs by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty."

The critically acclaimed show appeared on Broadway in a limited engagement during the 2005-2006 season, beginning performances November 23, 2005 and running through February 19, 2006.

In addition to Cincinnati , other cities in which the show will play include:

Miami, FL - Miami PAC (January 2 - 7)
Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theater (January 9 - 14)
Cleveland, OH - Palace Theater (February 13 - 25)
Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater (February 27 - March 4)
Tempe, AZ - Gammage Theater (March 13 - 18)
Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County PAC (March 20- 25)
Fort Myers, FL - Mann Auditorium (April 10 - 15)
West Palm Beach, FL - Kravis Auditorium (April 17 - 22)
Washington, DC - Warner Theater (April 24 - 29)
Boston, MA - Colonial Theater (May 1 - 13)
Providence, RI - Providence PAC (May 15 - 20)
Milwaukee, WI - Uihlein Theater (May 22 - 27)
Buffalo, NY - Shea's PAC (May 29 - June 3)
Norfolk, VA - Scope Arena (June 5 - 10)

As an aspiring 17-year-old ballerina, Chita Rivera decided to accompany a friend to an audition for the chorus of Call Me Madam without any serious intention of pursuing a part in the show. Jerome Robbins took one look, cast her as a principal dancer, and the rest is theatre history.  She has received two Tony Awards®, seven additional Tony Award nominations and the Kennedy Center Honor.  Throughout her 50 year career, Chita has been referred to by critics as no less than "a force of nature" and a "true Broadway star."

The national tour of Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life features scenic design by Loy Arcenas, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Beverly Emmons (based on the original Broadway design by Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer), with musical concepts,  arrangements and supervision by Mark Hummel.  The tour's musical director is Gordon Twist.  Casting will be announced shortly.

Photo by Paul Kolnik