Chita Rivera 'Swellagantly' Honored by Zeta-Jones, Neuwirth & Marshall

Broadway legend Chita Rivera is coming to Boston to be honored for her stage and screen achievements at Boston Youth Moves' annual fundraising gala, Swellegance. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bebe Neuwirth and Rob Marshall will be on hand to honor Ms. Rivera and her illustrious career. The Eighth Annual Boston Youth Moves fundraising gala, Swellegance, will take place on Saturday, March 8, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St.

The star-studded gala brings together, for the first time, three generations of stars of the Broadway and film sensation Chicago. Rivera created the role of murderess Velma Kelly in the original 1975 Broadway production of the John Kander and Fred Ebb hit musical;Emmy Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth (Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane in the hit comedy series Cheers) won a Tony Award for her starring role as Velma in the 1996 stage revival of Chicago-The Musical; Catherine Zeta-Jones received an Oscar for her performance as Velma in the 2002 screen version of Chicago.  All will be joined by film's director and choreographer Rob Marshall.

In recognition of her work, passion and commitment to aspiring dancers, Rivera will be the 2008 recipient of the eighth annual Boston Youth Moves Lifetime Achievement Award.

A legendary dancer, singer and actress, Rivera has starred in the most revered Broadway productions of our time. At age 11, Rivera began studying ballet, and six years later she accompanied a friend to an audition for a Broadway production of Call Me Madam. Her friend didn't get the part, but Rivera did. Soon after, she scored roles in Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, and Mr. Wonderful with Sammy Davis Jr. Rivera became a Broadway star in 1957 when she debuted as Anita in the premiere of West Side Story, a renowned musical that now celebrates its 50th anniversary. She later starred in Bye Bye Birdie, Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, and Zorba.

Rivera made Broadway history again in 1975 as Velma Kelley in Bob Fosse's Chicago. More recently, she performed on stage in the acclaimed Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. She has also appeared in the film versions of Sweet Charity and Chicago. She won her first Tony Award in 1984 for The Rink and her second in 1992 for Kiss of the Spider Woman. In 2002, she was awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center honor. For the past six years, Rivera has served as an honorary member of the Boston Youth Moves Board of  Directors.

The Eighth Annual Boston Youth Moves fundraising gala, Swellegance, will take place on Saturday, March 8, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St.  The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a night of dancing, performances by the talented BYM students, complimentary champagne, a dinner buffet, a spectacular silent auction and music by the Soul City Band. Past BYM Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include renowned dancers and choreographers Donald McKayle, Marge Champion and Gwen Verdon. The event will be hosted by WCVB-TV (Channel 5) personality JC Monahan. 

Tickets are $150 and available at the door. For tickets or more information call the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio at 617-523-1355 or visit www.bostonyouthmoves.org. BYM is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Chita Rivera (photo by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd)

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