Chita Rivera - More Than, "All That Jazz." by Lisa Chookasezian

The word "Icon," is overused quite a bit in our lives, but if anyone ever lived up to that word it would be Delores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson - Chita Rivera. The immortal star of stage and screen has passed at the much too young age of 91. It certainly seems like a long life. A full life. A consequential life. But for those of us who loved, adored, and idolized her it was a brief moment in time.

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Rivera, no, I'm just going to call her Chita, that's all you need to say, was born in Washington, D.C. on the 23rd of January 1933. She was one of five children born to Katherine Anderson and Julio Digueroa del Rivero. Mom was a government clerk of Scottish, Irish, and African-American descent, and her dad a saxophonist in the U.S. Navy Band was Puerto Rican. Chita lost her dad at the tender age of 7, but with the help of her mom she was able to go from an enthusiastic ballet student at the Jones-Hayward School of Ballet, to a scholarship student at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet at 15.

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Still in her teens, she received her first break in the touring company of "Call Me Madame," starring Elaine Stritch in 1951. Chita continued to add to her resume with numerous rolls in other Broadway productions through the 1950's. However, in 1957 fame came a calling when she was cast as Anita in "West Side Story," which would elevate her status to Broadway star.

Chita was the quintessential "Triple Threat." She could do it all, sing, dance, and act. Not just a "Jack of All Trades," she was a master of them all. And her treasure trove of nominated performances is a testament to the incredible talent that she was.

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In 1960 my parents were lucky enough to see Chita in her Tony nominated turn as Rosie opposite Dick Van Dyke in,"Bye Bye Birdie." She even went to London with the show and won rave reviews, but was passed over for the film when the part went to Janet Leigh, much to my Dad's chagrin. Not one to sulk, the star continued to segue from stage, to small screen, and film. She went on to work with probably the greatest choreographer ever Bob Fosse when she played the role of Nickie in the film adaption of, "Sweet Charity," starring Shirley MacLaine. Mr.

Gwen Verdon, who starred as Charity on Broadway. Chita always cited Leonard Bernstein and Verdon, with whom she would later star in "Chicago" as extremely influential to her success.

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Speaking of the powerhouse duo of Fosse and Verdon, in 1975 when my brother and I were kids my mom took us both to see, "Chicago," starring Gwen Verdon and Ms. Chita in what would later become the longest running American musical on Broadway, second only to British import, "The Phantom of The Opera." It was beyond spectacular. I loved every minute of it. And yes, I have seen the revival with Ann Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth, (Fabulous)and the film with Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones (Marvelous), but nothing compares to Chita's rendition of "All That Jazz," which has to be one of the stellar moments in Broadway history. From her incredible entrance, rising out of the floor, in the sexiest Fosse pose, a perfect storm of music, choreography and an indelible star meld together to make MAGIC! I for one will never forget it! She didn't get the Tony that year either. It was the year of "A Chorus Line." But no matter, Chita was hotter than ever!

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She went on to nab her first Tony and Drama Desk awards as Anna in the 1984 Kander and Eb musical, "The Rink," with Liza Minnelli. My mom and I loved the show and her and Liza in it. I remember turning to my mom who was around the same age as Chita and saying, "So mom, do you think you can get up there on a pair of roller skates at 50, and dance and sing?" Mom looked at me, and laughed, "Even if I were 25, I wouldn't be able to do it!" Mom and I (my forever theatre partner) were privileged to see Chita in several more Tony nominated performances, including the Jerry Herman musical, "Jerry's Girls;" her incredible Tony Winning dual portrayal of Aurora and Spider Woman in another Kander and Ebb gem, "Kiss of The Spider Woman;" and in 2015 in the final Kander and Ebb musical, "The Visit," starring as Claire Zachanassian alongside Roger Rees. Always perfect. Always brilliant.

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Chita always gave a performance worthy of accolades and awards, and never disappointed her audience. In her lifetime she had received 10 Tony Nominations for either Best Featured Actress in a Musical or Best Actress in a Musical. Chita shares this current record of distinction for most individual Tony nominations for a performer with Julie Harris and Audra McDonald. Pretty good company. And two of her most prized awards would have to have been the Tony Award Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre in 2018; and of course The Kennedy Center Honors in 2002. So many achievements, but one of her most special and proud roles was that of mom. One time, many years ago when my Mom and Dad were in Las Vegas, Mom met Chita in the coffee shop at The Las Vegas Hilton. I don't really know how it came to pass, but my parents would make friends and have chats with everyone. The ladies were talking, and of course my mom was telling Chita how much she adored her, and she relayed the story about me asking if she would strap on the roller skates, etc. Well, when Chita heard that my name was Lisa, she gushed to my mom that her daughter was also named Lisa. Lisa Mordente to be exact. My mom told her that we had seen her in the musical Platinum. Mom got her autograph for me, as well as a fond memory of when she met one of the greatest stars to ever tread the boards on Broadway.

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And now the lights have dimmed on this most incandescent star of stars who sang it all, danced it all, and did just about "All That Jazz," and more... Rest in Peace Ms. Chita Rivera. Your memory most definitely will always be a blessing.

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