Two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera will be the center of attention at a star-studded gathering honoring the Broadway icon’s 80th birthday (which she celebrated in January 2013). Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will present Chita: A Legendary Celebration, an original piece directed by Graciela Daniele and written by Terrence McNally, on October 7 at the August Wilson Theatre.
With credits like West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, The Rink, Jerry’s Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Nine and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Rivera is one of the most recognizable actresses in the Broadway community with a slew of legendary roles under her belt. She made her debut in 1953 in Can-Can and has since gone on to enjoy a 60-year-long career on stage. Rivera was awarded with Kennedy Center Honors in 2002 (becoming the first Hispanic to ever receive the coveted prize) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. She also served as Grand Marshal in this year’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York.
We can't pick just one of Rivera's roles to revel in, so instead, we asked her about every one of them! Find out what Rivera had to say to Broadway.com about her amazing resume!