Rivera Talks Van Dyke, Leg Injury and New Club Act

The Courant.com recently chatted with stage icon Chita Rivera, taking a long look back at the ups and downs of her legendary career.

Rivera reminiced about her show, A DANCER'S LIFE - on Broadway 5 years ago - in which a few of her BYE BYE BIRDIE co-stars joined her for four special performances. Rivera says "When Dick Van Dyke walks into a room, he brings the sun with him. Seeing him again stage-left in that tuxedo, with that white hair and those piercing blue eyes, I stepped back and started crying that first time. It was wonderful, but not enough performances for him, and certainly not enough for me. It was so in the moment and the best fun I ever had."

Rivera, who haswon two Tony awards for THE RINK and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, also discussed her devastating leg injury from a 1986 crash crash. Rivera remembers "lying on the table in the hospital, and the nurse comes in after looking at the X-ray, and the color had gone out of her face, and she says, 'Well, you really did a number on your leg.' I didn't usually swear in those days, but I remember saying one word: shit."

Rivera also discusses her new club act which she is performing in West Hartford, the show is a mixture of showtunes from her illustrious career and a few favorites including 'The Secret Of Life,' which Rivera says "... is enjoying the passing of time. But it's also about enjoying the moment you're living as well - and giving it some style."

To read the full article in The Courant Click Here.

Chita Rivera is revered as one of Broadway's most accomplished stars. Rivera started her career as a ballerina but soon fell in love with the Broadway stage after landing a principal dancing role in Call Me Madam. Following her Broadway debut, Rivera appeared in numerous other shows including classics such as Guys and Dolls, Can-Can and Mr. Wonderful. However, it was after her portrayal of Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Story that Rivera cemented her place in Broadway history. Rivera reprised her famed role as Anita in the London production of West Side Story as well. Other starring roles include Bye Bye Birdie, Sweet Charity, The Rose Tattoo, Threepenny Opera, and Kiss Me Kate. More recently she starred in the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with actor Antonio Banderas. Her honors off the stage include receiving the The Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama on August 12, 2009 and becoming the first Hispanic to be awarded the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, DC in December, 2002.

Rivera will be performing through June 27 at the Roberts Theatre in West Hartford. Tickets are $60 to $70 and are available online at http://www.hartfordstage.org