RIP Chita Rivera,

January 30, 2024 2:54 PM

Obituary in Playbill. Two-time Tony award-winner Chita Rivera has died, at age 91. Among so many, many other roles, she originated the role of Anita in West Side Story. We and Broadway are much the poorer for her loss.
posted by humbug (27 comments total)

What a monumental talent. How lucky we were!

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posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 2:56 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]

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posted by Melismata at 2:57 PM on January 30

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posted by May Kasahara at 2:57 PM on January 30

One of the all time greats. She lived an extraordinary life and deserves every accolade she received and more. She's amazing in this clip from the Judy Garland Show. Rest in Power.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:58 PM on January 30 [3 favorites]

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posted by sammyo at 3:25 PM on January 30

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posted by threecheesetrees at 3:29 PM on January 30

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posted by socialjusticeworrier at 3:35 PM on January 30

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posted by Samuel Farrow at 3:55 PM on January 30

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posted by dannyboybell at 3:59 PM on January 30

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posted by luckynerd at 4:26 PM on January 30

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posted by pangolin party at 4:38 PM on January 30

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posted by mersen at 4:50 PM on January 30

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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 5:12 PM on January 30

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posted by supermedusa at 5:22 PM on January 30

Saw Nine on Broadway in 2003 (revival with Antonio Banderas and Chita). She came out for her first scene, the play stopped, we gave her a 1 minute standing ovation, then the play continued. I assume this happened every night, and everywhere she went throughout her days.
posted by dr. fresh at 5:54 PM on January 30 [4 favorites]

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posted by riruro at 5:58 PM on January 30

Such a magnetic performer. She had the aura of being exactly where she was meant to be on every stage.
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:07 PM on January 30

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posted by mcbeth at 7:01 PM on January 30

I only know Rivera from a single dramatic TV performance from 1964, one of the better episodes of the original Outer Limits, in The Bellero Shield. She's only a supporting actor, portraying housekeeper (?) to a couple played by Sally Kellerman and Martin Landau. But the character is so bizarre and memorable, I think she outshines even the "bear" of the episode, which was normally supposed to be the real audience grabber.

RIP.
posted by 2N2222 at 7:04 PM on January 30

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posted by meinvt at 7:05 PM on January 30

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posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:29 PM on January 30

Whoever said "Chitas never prosper" was clearly wrong in this case.

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posted by zaixfeep at 10:46 PM on January 30

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posted by Gelatin at 7:24 AM on January 31

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I heard her name a lot, of course. But I can only remember seeing her in one thing - absolutely OWNING the part of Fastrada in a 1981 production of Pippin filmed for Canadian TV.

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posted by hanov3r at 7:42 AM on January 31 [3 favorites]

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posted by kyrademon at 8:29 AM on January 31

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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 11:27 AM on January 31

I was always astonished at how long she continued to appear on stage for. It’s so physically demanding and yet she was still turning out performances at an age when most would have stopped. Legends only.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:05 PM on January 31 [1 favorite]