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.
A sizzling evening of song and dance honoring and starring theatrical icon Chita Rivera raised a remarkable $413,660 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
An extremely limited number of $40 rush tickets to the spectacular benefit concert honoring and starring Chita Rivera will be released for sale at 6:30 pm Monday, October 7, 2013.
Tony Award winners Tommy Tune and Ben Vereen will join theatrical icon Chita Rivera in a spectacular benefit concert honoring and starring Rivera as she celebrates her 80th birthday. Chita: A Legendary Celebration will play the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52 Street, New York City) at 8 pm on Monday, October 7, 2013. The one-night-only performance will be produced by and benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County opened the special engagement of BABALU, a loving tribute and phenomenal stage show celebrating the extraordinary musical legacy of Desi Arnaz last night, July 8. The show will run through July 11. Created, directed, and hosted by Lucie Arnaz, BABALU's engagement at the Adrienne Arsht Center multiple Tony Award-nominee and Miami native Raúl Esparza, Broadway's Tony-nominated diva of dance Valarie Pettiford and in a rare, special guest appearance, Desi Arnaz, Jr. playing percussion on his father's classic hits. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a preview of the backstage photo coverage. Check back soon for complete coverage of the event.
BABALU was a fine night at the theater. I am not positive yet if it is a revue, a nightclub act, or a Broadway musical trying to find its way. Filled with the music of Desi Arnaz, and a few others, this show is a love letter from Lucie Arnaz to her much adored father, Desi. She talks a lot about her father, sings and dances to music from his career and spends the performance as a charming host.
Lucie looks beautiful, and her singing is wonderful. She appears to be having a fine time, and certainly wants the audience to have a great time.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County presents the special engagement of BABALU, a loving tribute and phenomenal stage show celebrating the extraordinary musical legacy of Desi Arnaz from July 8 - July 11. Created, directed, and hosted by Lucie Arnaz, BABALU's engagement at the Adrienne Arsht Center multiple Tony Award-nominee and Miami native Raúl Esparza, Broadway's Tony-nominated diva of dance Valarie Pettiford and in a rare, special guest appearance, Desi Arnaz, Jr. playing percussion on his father's classic hits.
Ramon Del Barrio has been in show business for some forty years. At the age of seven he became a Billy The Kid clothing model, officially entering this business we call show. Joining us as we travel through Ramon's life will be such names as JERSEY BOYS, GUYS & DOLLS, CHITA RIVERA, DONNA McKECHNIE, FRED ASTAIRE, GENE KELLY, BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL, DESI ARNAZ, JOSE FERRER, JUDITH JAMISON, DES McANUFF, BOB FOSSE, MICHAEL BENNETT, LUCIE ARNAZ, and a few others.
On this 4th Anniversary Special, spend time with Ken and Chita Rivera, Ben Stiller, Jai Rodriguez, Phoebe Snow, Judy Kay, Dick Van Dyke, Bebe Neuwirth, Ben Vereen and more!
The worlds of Latin music and Broadway will unite for 'An Evening of Latin Rhythms' to benefit BC/EFA at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (237 W. 42nd St.) on November 20
CHITA RIVERA: THE DANCER'S LIFE, a musical celebrating the life and career
of one of America's most beloved stage performers, will play its final
performance on Sunday, February 19, 2006, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
(236 West 45 Street).
Chita Rivera celebrated her birthday, and the arrival of Dick Van Dyke in The Dancer's Life with a special private party at Tony's DiNapoli Time Square and BroadwayWorld was there to cover the celebrations.
Dick Van Dyke joined Chita Rivera: THE DANCER'S LIFE for four performances only on January 24th and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the curtain call, and a birthday surprise!