Chita Rivera de la fiesta del 80 cumpleaños de Lena Horne N.Y.C. 1997
© copyright John Mathew Smith 2001
Ilustración de Nuestro Stories
La cantante, actriz y bailarina Chita Rivera ha sido una inspiración para muchos a lo largo de su ilustre carrera. Es una auténtica pionera en Broadway, donde ha formado parte memorable de algunos de los mayores estrenos de la historia. Tanto fans como compañeros han admirado su suave juego de pies, y muchos dicen de ella que tiene “los pies más rápidos de Broadway”.
A sus 90 años, Chita Rivera es conocida sobre todo por haber protagonizado espectáculos legendarios como Chicago, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie y Can Can.
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Alrededor de los 25 años, Rivera, nacida Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Montestuco Florentino Carnemacaral del Fuente, consiguió un papel que la convertiría en una figura eterna en Broadway. Desempeñó un papel crucial en el desarrollo del personaje de Anita en la versión de Broadway de West Side Story.
Chita Rivera no fue la única figura legendaria de Broadway que triunfó con West Side Story. El compositor Leonard Bernstein y el coreógrafo Jerome Robbins también trabajaron en el espectáculo y desempeñaron un papel fundamental en la difusión del inmenso talento de Rivera durante sus primeros días. Rivera recuerda con cariño cuando entraba en lujosos apartamentos para reuniones decisivas para su carrera: “Entraba nerviosa en su sala de música; era muy luminosa, con muchas ventanas que daban al Carnegie Hall”. Este recuerdo se refiere a su primera reunión con Bernstein. Curiosamente, Rivera se ganó el papel no presentando escenas de West Side Story, sino cantando canciones originales de Bernstein. Dijo: “Era tan natural, tan normal, que me olvidé de quién era”.
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Rivera tuvo una gran relación de trabajo con Jerome Robbins y aprendió mucho de él. Ella describe su estilo coreográfico como la incorporación de un poco de jazz, un giro de la cadera, y un giro de la pierna. Rivera añade: “Trabajar con Jerome Robbins era como tener un padre. Querías complacer a tu padre, hacer exactamente lo que él describía. Se trataba de complacer al maestro”.
El icono conoce su impacto en Broadway. Una vez Rivera declaró con orgullo (sobre su papel de Anita en West Side Story): “Soy la original, ¡estuve ahí en la primera ondulación de la falda!”.
Chita Rivera From Lena Horne 80th birthday party N.Y.C. 1997
© copyright John Mathew Smith 2001
Illustration by Nuestro Stories
Singer, actress, and dancer Chita Rivera has been an inspiration to many throughout her illustrious career. She stands as a true pioneer on Broadway, having been a memorable part of some of its biggest debuts in history. Fans and peers alike have admired her smooth footwork, with many referring to her as having the “fastest feet on Broadway.”
At 90 years old, Chita Rivera is best known for starring in legendary shows such as “Chicago,” “West Side Story,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Can Can.”
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In her mid-20s, Rivera, born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Montestuco Florentino Carnemacaral del Fuente, landed a role that would make her a timeless figure on Broadway. She played a crucial part in developing the character of Anita in the Broadway version of “West Side Story.”
Chita Rivera was not the only legendary Broadway figure to have a breakthrough with “West Side Story.” Composer Leonard Bernstein and choreographer Jerome Robbins also worked on the show and played a foundational role in spreading the word about Rivera’s immense talent during her early days. Rivera fondly recalls entering fancy apartments for career-defining meetings, saying, “I nervously went into his music room; it was very bright with lots of windows overlooking Carnegie Hall.” This recollection refers to her first meeting with Bernstein. Interestingly, Rivera earned the role not by performing scenes from “West Side Story” but by singing Bernstein’s original songs. She said, “He was so natural, so normal that I forgot who he was.”
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Rivera had a great working relationship with Jerome Robbins and learned a lot from him. She describes his choreography style as incorporating a little bit of jazz, a twist of the hip, and a twist of the leg. Rivera adds, “To work with Jerome Robbins was like having a father. You wanted to please your father, to do exactly as he described it. It was all about pleasing the teacher.”
The icon knows her impact on Broadway, once Rivera proudly declaring (about her role as Anita in West Side Story): “I am the original, I was there at the first flicker of the skirt!”
