Broadway legend and Tony winner Chita Rivera, whose real name is Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, has died. Her publicist confirmed that the actor passed away on Tuesday morning (January 30) after a brief bout of illness. The star was 91 years old.
Rivera leaves a lasting legacy in Broadway and musical theater. She played Anita in the initial series of West Side Story. She also appeared in the original version of the hit. chicago in addition to starring The kiss of spider women.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if I wasn’t moving, telling you a story or singing a song,” he told The Associated Press (via USA TODAY). “That’s the spirit of my life and I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love, even at this point in my life.”
Rivera began his career on Broadway in 1952, landing a role in call me lady. Before that, Rivera was headed toward dancing, but ended up using those talents on stage. Rivera landed her role in the musical after the producers rejected her friend.
He continued with several other programs. However, Rivera thought she would never get on stage again after a car accident in 1986. The dancer ended up breaking her leg in 12 different places. Many would consider it the end of Rivera and her dancing career. However, she kept going and overcame her injuries in what became one of the most inspiring stories in the industry.
Chita Rivera leaves a lasting legacy
After his accident, Rivera ended up taking the lead in The kiss of spider women. That production would give him the second Tony of his career (the first was for Track).
“I don’t think we have enough original musicals,” she told The Associated Press in 2012. “I know I’m being old-fashioned, but theater is where music, lyrics, words, landscapes and stories emerge. together. And I was lucky enough to have done several shows when they actually did it. They take you places and they are daring. That is what we need”.
Rivera would take an extended break before returning to Nine on Broadway. In 2005, Rivera had the opportunity to star in a retrospective of her career. She last appeared in the 2021 film. Tick, Tick… Boom!.
“I am made up of, and I think we all are, two people: Dolores and Conchita,” Rivera said in an interview with the AP. “Conchita, she’s the one who’s been getting all the glory, you know? She’s been doing all the shows, but Dolores is the one who pushed her to do it. And she has kept me on track, so I listen to Dolores. I listen to her. “She is growing in my head now as we speak.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn