Chita Rivera: 91-year-old “theatrical legend” remembered with tributes

Broadway’s famous actress Chita Rivera has passed away at 91.

The entertainer, who has won a Tony Award, is famous for her successful career in theater that has lasted almost 70 years.

She was known for playing Anita in West Side Story, Velma in Chicago, and Rose in Bye Bye Birdie.

Rita Moreno, who acted as Anita in the first movie of West Side Story in 1961, praised her and said she was “the heart of Broadway”.
This is a picture from the Broadway show “West Side Story. ” In the picture, we see Lynn Ross, an actress whose name we don’t know, Chita Rivera, and Carmen Guitterez. Photo without a date.

“I am drinking to honor this amazing woman and friend as I write this,” the 92-year-old wrote on Instagram.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who made the musical Hamilton, said that Rivera was a pioneer in her field and had many famous Broadway roles because she was unique and original.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber said that she changed what it means to be a legendary actor in theater.

Rivera was born in 1933 in Washington DC. His dad was from Puerto Rico and his mom had Scottish and Irish roots.

She started acting on Broadway in the 1950s. She was in shows like Can-Can and Mr. Wonderful

In 1957, she performed in the first West Side Story show, and that led to her becoming a Broadway star.

Shortly after that, Rivera was put up for a Tony Award for the show Bye Bye Birdie with Dick Van Dyke.

Van Dyke also honored Rivera, saying she was the greatest ever.

Several years later, the actress played another well-known character: vaudeville performer Velma Kelly in Chicago.

Three-in-one danger

Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won an award for playing Velma in a movie, wrote on Instagram: “I can’t explain how much you have influenced my life. ”

“As a little girl, I used to dream of being like you. I finally got to meet you and felt a strong connection when I played Velma Kelly in Chicago. ”

“You are one of a kind, Chita. There will never be another person like you. ” Turn off the lights on Broadway. Or we could just unplug it. I love you Chita, have a good sleep my Queen.

Rivera was famous for being really good at singing, dancing, and acting in a lot of Broadway shows. She was also one of the first Latina women to do this.

She was last in a Broadway show in 2015 called The Visit with Roger Rees, who has since passed away.

‘Famous person from Broadway’

Rivera’s co-workers and friends also remembered her for being really good on stage and achieving a lot.

Jason Alexander, an actor, wrote on X that Chita Rivera was one of the best people and coworkers he has ever known. She was the best in every aspect. I will always value and appreciate her.

Actress Mia Farrow said she is a true Broadway legend.

Ms Farrow said that anyone who saw her performances will never forget them.

The Tony Awards said she’s really famous in Broadway. Someone whose beauty, skill, and love made a lasting impact on the theater world.

Rivera won two Tony Awards for her acting in musicals The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She was chosen for eight more awards.

In 2002, Rivera was the first Latina to receive Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime achievements in performing arts.

She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the top civilian award in the US. Former President Barack Obama gave it to her in 2009 because of her work as a “agent of change”.

In 2018, Rivera received a special Tony award that she will have for the rest of her life. She wrote a book about her life called Chita and lots of people bought it.

Her daughter Lisa Mordente said that she passed away peacefully in New York after a short illness.