CHITA: A LEGENDARY CELEBRATION Comes To Adelphi On Today

Theatrical icon Chita Rivera has decades of performing behind her, but she says there's still something special about performing for upcoming generations of artists.

That's what she'll be doing for students, community members and longtime fans on Friday, September 28, when she brings Chita: A Legendary Celebration to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (PAC). The incomparable Tony Award winner will recreate signature moments from her legendary career including numbers from West Side Story, Sweet Charity, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Bye, Bye, Birdie, The Rink and The Visit. Accompanied by her long-time trio, Chita also will pay tribute to the conductor and West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein, who would be turning 100 this year, in this not-to-be-missed concert.

The performance is open to the general public, though Rivera says she's hoping to see many student faces when she looks out into the crowd. "I like the universities because the kids are alive," Rivera says. "They get it and they want to get it and you can feel yourself respond."

"I came along at a fabulous time when there were a lot of shows and a lot of geniuses writing those shows," Rivera said in an August interview. "Everybody tells their story at some point in their lives, through whatever medium. I try to make the audience feel as though we've met before and they know me."

After years of portraying characters on stage, it was a big step for Rivera to just be herself. A consummate professional, she got used to the idea and grew to embrace it. "I have a lot of fun doing this formula," she said. "I never thought I would because I always liked to hide behind a character. But then I got a little better about myself, and I have some wonderful information from my experiences."

One of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents, Chita Rivera is among the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations, winning twice and receiving the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. She recently starred in The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway (2015). About this current production, Chita: A Legendary Celebration, a New York Times writer notes, "Chita Rivera has a gleam in her eye, a smirk on her lips and a bounce in her step...you leave this show walking on air!"

Rivera's performance will begin at 8 p.m. on the Westermann Stage of the Adelphi PAC Concert Hall.

Tickets are on sale for $60, with discounts available to seniors, students and alumni. Information is available at the Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at 516.877.4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The box office is also open two hours before most scheduled performances. Ticket sales and additional information are also available online.

Adelphi's PAC is one of Long Island's premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. See more about other upcoming Adelphi PAC offerings at pac.adelphi.edu.