Lisa Mordente News

Leading up to Broadway's biggest night, the 2015 TONY AWARDS, BWW brings you our 'Brush Up On Your TONY Nominees' Guide to this year's nominees in the top categories.

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. In the special interview below, Richard welcomes Broadway legend and 2015 Tony nominee for The Visit- Chita Rivera. Watch as they discuss how things are going at the Lyceum Theatre, what this role means to her, and so much more!

The Visit, the final musical ever by legendary Tony Award-winning duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, celebrates its official opening tonight, April 23, 2015 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch a sneak preview of the show!

I LIKE YOUR STYLE: A TRIBUTE TO JOE LAYTON, hosted by six-time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch, took place Monday, October 20th, 2014, at 7 pm, St. Luke's Theater, 308 West 46th St., NYC. Featuring performances by Loni Ackerman, Jill O'Hara, Walter Willison, rare video footage of Layton shows, and a gaggle of gypsies to discuss Joe's Life and Legacy.

There was a happening on West 44th Street! For a week, Chita Rivera brought her joyful, razzle-dazzling nightclub act to Birdland, which she calls her favorite room in the city. “These walls are filled with the best music! Playing Birdland just makes me feel cool,” she proclaimed. As if her iconic Broadway career wasn't cool enough, “Chita's Back” was a concert for the history books – with the ever-youthful legend in fine fettle; singing, dancing and telling some of the best insider stories any theater-lover could hope for. Material from Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story and The Visitwere included, as well as a James Taylor duet with daughter, Lisa Mordente. The swinging was band led by guitarist/percussionist Michael Croiter, with Michael Patrick Walker on piano, Jim Donica on bass, and Dan Willis on saxophone.

ROLEX Presents NEW YORK NEW YORK a helluva town Career Transition For Dancers' 29th Anniversary Jubilee at the Hilton New York Hotel 6th Ave (bet 54 & 55 Sts) on Monday, Oct. 6th.

I LIKE YOUR STYLE: A TRIBUTE TO JOE LAYTON, hosted by six-time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch, will take place Monday, October 20th, 2014, at 7 pm, St. Luke's Theater, 308 West 46th St., NYC. Featuring performances by Loni Ackerman, Jill O'Hara, Walter Willison, rare video footage of Layton shows, and a gaggle of gypsies to discuss Joe's Life and Legacy.

Dancers Over 40 honors prolific director/choreographer Joe Layton, who crossed all mediums to create memorable musicals, TV specials, concerts and much more, including Two by Two, Sail Away, Once Upon a Mattress, Sound of Music, No Strings, Dear World, George M!, and Barnum, just to name a few. DO40 members who have worked with Joe on multiple shows and will be panelists include Nicole Barth, James Dybas, Dorothy Frank Danner, Carolyn Kirsch, Sondra Lee, Lawrence Leritz, Patti Mariano, Lawrence Merritt and Mary Zahn.

Today, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the nation's oldest AIDS service organization, announces the sensational news that its annual dinner gala will be hosted by the award-winning actress, singer and dancer, Chita Rivera, and held at Cipriani 42nd Street, tonight, March 26, 2014. A revered Broadway legend, Ms. Rivera is not a stranger to GMHC. In 2004, she starred in GMHC's benefit concert, 'Showstoppers,' featuring 20 Broadway stars performing their signature numbers at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Today, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the nation's oldest AIDS service organization, announces the sensational news that its annual dinner gala will be hosted by the award-winning actress, singer and dancer, Chita Rivera, and held at Cipriani 42nd Street, on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. A revered Broadway legend, Ms. Rivera is not a stranger to GMHC. In 2004, she starred in GMHC's benefit concert, 'Showstoppers,' featuring 20 Broadway stars performing their signature numbers at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Triple threat Broadway legend Chita Rivera will bring her iconic class and showmanship to the Valley Performing Arts Center January 25 for one performance only at 8 pm. In our chat she tells us a little bit about the new show and talks in great detail about the joys of her career.

At this year's dinner and holiday party, set for Dec. 15 at 9pm at LIPS Restaurant, Dancers Over 40 honors some of its outstanding - and long-time -- members: Advisory Board Members Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye, Bye Birdie, Bajour, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and Bob Avian (Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Ballroom), Board of Directors member Lawrence Merritt (Dear World, Applause, Pippin, Evita), and long-time DO40 members Skip Randall (Song of Norway, Make Mine Manhattan, Call Me Mister) and Louise Quick (Sweet Charity, Pippin, Best Little Whorehouse, and Fosse Assistant on Pippin, Liza with a Z and Cabaret). Also this year, DO40 is honoring Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola for his ongoing support of DO40 and our mission. This year's host is Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway).

Megan Mullally is a two-time Emmy-winning star of TV's Will & Grace, and recent star of Broadway's Young Frankenstein. On August 28 & 29 she returns to Provincetown by popular demand - for two shows only - after her sold-out Art House debut last summer. Patti LuPone won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for her performance as Rose in the most recent Broadway production of Gypsy, and created the title role in Evita on Broadway with her now legendary performance, for which she won her first Tony and Drama Desk Awards. On August 31 and September 1 she makes a triumphant Provincetown return for 4 shows only, after debuting at The Art House last summer. Chita Rivera is a living Broadway legend and a two-time Tony winner as Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Anna in The Rink. She originated the Broadway roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and appeared in the original casts of Guys and Dolls, Can Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Jerry's Girls, and many others. She makes her Provincetown debut on Sept. 7 & 8 with two shows only. Series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky joins each of these three leading ladies at the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.

Last weekend in Los Angeles on Saturday July 27, Chita Rivera received the DIZZY FEET FOUNDATION INSPIRATION AWARD at a gala to celebrate dance, held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. DIZZY FEET was founded by Nigel Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Katie Holmes. Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, was also honored. Other guests included Jenna Elfman, Paula Abdul, Jane Lynch, Anna Kendrick, Darren Criss, Jenna Ushkowitz, Cat Deeley and Wayne Brady.

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) previously announced that Broadway icon Chita Rivera will be the recipient of the 2013 Elliot Norton Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's awards ceremony set for last night, May 13 at the Paramount Center, 559 Washington Street, Boston.

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) previously announced that Broadway icon Chita Rivera will be the recipient of the 2013 Elliot Norton Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's awards ceremony set for tonight, May 13 (7pm) at the Paramount Center, 559 Washington Street, Boston.

THE RASCALS: ONCE UPON A DREAM, which opened last night on Broadway, is directed by Steven Van Zandt and Marc Brickman. With music byFelix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream has stage, video and lighting design by Brickman and has music production and is written by legendary guitarist Van Zandt. Performances begin Monday, April 15th atBroadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street), and will play through Sunday, May 5th. Opening night is set for Tuesday, April 16th. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out who was on the pre-show red carpet below!

At 6:30pm, tonight, April 8th producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones will gather in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they will be served a magnificent four-course dinner and be entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life.

BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the whole evening, including the show's star-studded theatre arrivals. Check out who was there for the big night below and CLICK HERE for Part 2!

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) is pleased to announce Broadway icon CHITA RIVERA will be the recipient of the 2013 Elliot Norton Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's awards ceremony set for Monday May 13 (7pm) at the Paramount Center, 559 Washington Street, Boston.