Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life to Take Final Bow on February 19

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, which began advertising "Final Weeks" last week, will end its Broadway run on February 19. At the time it closes, the show will have played 23 previews and 72 regular performances at the Schoenfeld Theatre.

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, featuring a book by Terrence McNally, offers audiences a rare look into that moment when great musical numbers in the theater were born, as related and performed by the woman for whom they were created--the ultimate Broadway "gypsy." The show takes the audience on a tour through landmark creations in the American theater and also features new songs by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

The musical, directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, received mostly warm reviews when it opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre on December 11 after a tryout at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. In his Broadway.com Review of the tuner, William Stevenson wrote: "The Dancer's Life is a triumphant look back at a storied, remarkably long-legged theatrical career… Besides being a dynamite dancer, Rivera is an engaging storyteller, an able mimic she impersonates Gwen Verdon quite well and a very likable, nice lady… I'm awfully glad I got to see Rivera reprise her signature roles, since I wasn't able to see most of them the first time around."

In addition to leading lady Rivera, the company of Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life includes Richard Amaro, Cleve Asbury, Lloyd Culbreath, Madeleine Ehlert, Malinda Farrington, Edgard Gallardo, Deidre Goodwin, Richard Montoya, Liana Ortiz, Lainie Sakakura, Alex Sanchez and Allyson Tucker-Mitchell.

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life never took off at the box office. Two weeks ago, the show, which plays seven performances a week, grossed $184, 242, less than any other Broadway production.

The Dancer's Life will tour. The tour will kick-off at the Miami Performing Arts Center on January 2, 2007.