Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Her most recent starring roles included The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway; the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood; the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer's Life, a dazzling musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas.
Date of Birth: January 23, 1933 (93)
Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
Latest News on Chita Rivera:
BIO
Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Her most recent starring roles included The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway; the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood; the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer's Life, a dazzling musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas.
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson was born on January 23, 1933 in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Katherine (Anderson) and Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero.
She trained as a ballerina (from age nine) before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Chita's first appearance (age 19) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam.
Chita burst onto the Broadway scene in 1957 with her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story, which she repeated in London in 1958.
Her career was highlighted by starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink (Tony Award), Chicago, Jerry's Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award), and the original Broadway casts of Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven and Mr. Wonderful. On tour: Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Can-Can with The Rockettes.
Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009 and received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. In 2019, Chita performed her solo concert at London's Cadogan Hall; in 2018 she was honored as a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy; in 2016 she headlined at Carnegie Hall and in 2015, Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin' To Do, a retrospective of her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS.
Her solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her book CHITA: A MEMOIR was published by HarperOne in April 25, 2023.
In 2017 it was announced that the Astaire Awards, which promote and recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film, would be renamed the Chita Rivera Awards.
Chita was a dear friend of BroadwayWorld, having co-hosted our 20th anniversary concert event alongside Richard Ridge. She died on January 30, 2024 in New York after a brief illness at age 91.
Photos
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
Host Chita Rivera, Host Richard Ridge, BroadwayWorld's Founder and CEO Robert Diamond and Theatre Director of Strategic Partnerships Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Carla Hoke-Miller
From: Photos: Go Inside BroadwayWorld's Star-Studded 20th Anniversary Celebration
STAGE CREDITS
See how Chita Rivera connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Chita Rivera from another Broadway star or creative.
Chita Rivera
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
winner
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Visit
winner
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
winner
Chita Rivera, The Visit
Chita Rivera, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
winner
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita Rivera, Nine
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Musical
winner
Chita Rivera
winner
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
winner
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
winner
Chita Rivera
winner
Chita Rivera, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Chita Rivera, Jerry's Girls
winner
Chita Rivera, The Rink
winner
Chita Rivera, The Rink
Chita Rivera, Merlin
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Bring Back Birdie
Chita Rivera, Chicago
Chita Rivera, Bye Bye Birdie
Videos
Video: Luke Evans Lays Out the Challenges of Performing in a Corset in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-07-23 16:57:37
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-06-23 09:17:35
Video: Robert Montano Answers Big Questions About His New Play, SMALL
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2026-06-18 11:34:22
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'The Jellicle Ball' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-28 14:37:18
Video: Follow Robert 'Silk' Mason's Path to CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL in STAGEBOUND
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-26 13:05:35
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' in the Subway
by Michael Major - 2026-05-22 13:25:28
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs at WNYC Concert Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-21 15:40:07
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs Flashy Dance Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-21 11:34:42
Video: Watch Highlights from CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-04-07 18:24:15
Video: Watch the Full Conversations with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast and Crew From CBS Sunday Morning Segment
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-30 15:18:26
Character Breakdown: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Unpacks Their Jellicle Roles
by Luka Vonier - 2026-03-07 08:00:20
Video: Marc Kudisch Sings 'Just in Time' & 'I Met A Girl' from BELLS ARE RINGING at 54 Below
by Michael Major - 2026-02-13 11:15:25
Video: Michael Crawford Talks Being Honored By the Kennedy Center
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-23 19:53:21
News
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show welcomed new cast members including Lorna Courtney, Kevin McHale, Jimin Moon, George Salazar and Valentina. Plus, current “Phantom” Paul Soileau is playing the role of “Frank-N-Furter.' Check out all new photos of the cast!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2026
Jayson Borenstein will produce and star in the rarely staged Mel Brooks musical, with Julia Germer, at the Ethical Society Auditorium during the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
by Gavin Glynn - Sep 3, 2026
HERE'S TO US! Celebrating thirty years of presenting not oft-enough produced musicals from Broadway to Los Angeles! Featuring memorable songs from critically acclaimed productions including Titanic, Fanny, The Pajama Game, Sunday in the Park with George, and many more, the concert offers audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that has defined more than 125 Musical Theatre Guild concert readings. Inspired by Stephen Sondheim’s celebrated lyric, “Here’s to us! Who’s like us? Damn few!,” the evening celebrates the performers, directors, musicians, volunteers, patrons, and supporters who have shaped Musical Theatre Guild over the past three decades while raising funds to support the Guild’s youth education initiatives. https://www.musicaltheatreguild.com/show/heres-to-us/
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2026
St. Malachy's - The Actors' Chapel will host its annual BROADWAY INTERFAITH CELEBRATION, featuring a conversation with Baayork Lee and solo performances from Broadway artists in the Theatre District.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 31, 2026
5-Star Theatricals announced full casting for LES MISERABLES, closing out its 2026 season at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks, with direction by Doug Kreeger and musical direction by Anthony Lucca.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Aug 29, 2026
Cortland Repertory Theatre (“CRT”) has announced that Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson will step down from his position, concluding a 26-year tenure with the professional theatre company.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 27, 2026
Broadway veteran Todd Hunter discusses losing his partner during the AIDS epidemic and how that history informs his portrayal of Tom Collins in a new video with castmate Geordie Brown.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 25, 2026
Three-time Tony Award and Grammy Award nominee Jennifer Simard will step into the role of Mildred Layton in Schmigadoon! on Broadway beginning in September. Learn more here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 24, 2026
BOOP! The Musical, starring Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop is now available to view at the Library for the Performing Arts' Theatre on Film and Tape Archive.
by Michael Major - Aug 24, 2026
Jasmine Amy Rogers (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,) Ben Levi Ross (Ragtime), and Sam Tutty Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) are the Honored Artists in Theatre.
by Michael Major - Aug 24, 2026
The Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show will record a cast album, featuring Rachel Dratch as “Narrator,” Luke Evans as “Frank-N-Furter,” Amber Gray as “Riff Raff,” Stephanie Hsu as “Janet,” Juliette Lewis as “Magenta,” and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2026
The original Broadway cast recording for Schmigadoon! is currently available to stream everywhere you listen to music. Schmigadoon! (Original Broadway Cast Recording) includes the entire Tony Award-winning score and orchestrations.
by Elliot Lanes - Aug 20, 2026
One of the best way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday took place at Wolf Trap this past Saturday evening. The concert entitled Gershwin, Bernstein & American Mosaic featured great music from some of our most legendary composers as well as a new piece written by a modern day musical genius. All of this audible brilliance was executed superbly by YOUR National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) under the direction of Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Center Theatre Group will present Big League Productions' national tour of THE MUSIC MAN at the Ahmanson Theatre from October 27 to November 8, 2026, marking the show's first major Los Angeles engagement since 1980.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2026
Scottish Ballet will present an autumn double bill pairing Crystal Pite's EMERGENCE with the world premiere of Julia Cheng's ENTRESS, touring Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 14, 2026
Atlantic Records has unveiled the pre-order for CATS: The Jellicle Ball (Original Broadway Cast Recording), the official companion to the wildly acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical revival. Arriving this fall, pre-orders are now available.
by Rachel Stone - Aug 11, 2026
Debra Levine's new biography JAZZED examines choreographer Jack Cole's influence on American jazz dance across Broadway and Hollywood, drawing on archival research, interviews, and memoirs.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Aug 9, 2026
DJ Murphy has released Cats: The Jellicle Ball – The Remixes on SoundCloud, featuring a collection of remixed Andrew Lloyd Webber tracks heard during intermission at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL on Broadway.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Aug 8, 2026
Andrew Lloyd Webber took to Facebook to send his well wishes to the cast and creatives of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL ahead of their closing performance at the Broadhurst Theater.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 7, 2026
Schmigadoon! has released its first single from the original Broadway cast recording, “Corn Puddin’”. Schmigadoon! (Original Broadway Cast Recording) will be released this month. Listen to single here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Chita Rivera has appeared on Broadway in 22 shows.
Chita Rivera has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.
Chita Rivera's first West End show was West Side Story which opened in 1958
Lifetime Achievement Award (Tony Awards), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Visit, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Visit, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Visit, John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement (Theatre World Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Visit, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Visit , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Nine, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Nine , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Nine, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Musical , The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards), Best Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jerry's Girls, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rink, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Rink, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Merlin, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Bring Back Birdie, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Bring Back Birdie, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chicago and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Bye Bye Birdie.
Chita Rivera has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. Her accolades include a Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for The Visit, and a John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Theatre World Awards. She earned an Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical Helen Hayes Award for The Visit, and an Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical Drama Desk Award for Nine. Rivera has also been honored with The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards. Her role in Kiss of the Spider Woman earned her a Best Actress - Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, an Outstanding Actress - Musical Drama Desk Award, and a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award. Additionally, she received a Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards. Her performance in The Rink garnered her an Outstanding Actress in a Musical Drama Desk Award and a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award.
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
