Chita Rivera – The very first Broadway production I had the pleasure of witnessing was Bye, Bye Birdie. In a matter of mere minutes, I found myself developing an enduring infatuation with Dick Van Dyke. With his towering height and slender frame, his limbs seemed to move with a delightful looseness, as if he were a clown trapped within the body of an attractive man. I didn’t simply aspire to be like him; I yearned to become him. One of the greatest advantages of this admiration was the possibility of dancing alongside the captivating Chita Rivera, a dynamo who emitted sparks and held me spellbound. Despite having watched numerous individuals dance on the silver screen due to my love for movie musicals from a young age, witnessing such a performance in person, where the dancing and singing seamlessly intertwined without pause, left me in awe.
To witness such control and grace, spinning at an astonishing speed that matched her astounding elegance, was almost overwhelming for a young child like myself. Yet, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. It was akin to experiencing a brain freeze from rapidly consuming your favorite flavored ices from the Lemon Ice King of Corona, yet continuing to lick them regardless. By the time Rivera concluded her grand number, “Spanish Rose,” I found myself under a spell that would remain unbroken for the next five decades. I never missed another Broadway show in which she starred, and whenever possible, I attended her cabaret performances.
Rivera possessed an unparalleled talent and an electrifying presence that drew people in. However, it wasn’t solely her extensions or precise footwork that left us in awe. It was the spark in her eyes, the joy radiating from her face, and the sheer dedication she poured into her choreography. She didn’t dance as if her life depended on it; she danced as if it were the very essence of her being. If it were possible to capture and bottle that exuberance, I have no doubt that cases would have been sold out during intermission.
Furthermore, Rivera possessed a voice that was perfectly suited for live theater, particularly during a time when not everyone was equipped with microphones as if performing at Allegiant Stadium. Her voice wasn’t delicate like Kelli O’Hara’s or crystal clear like Sutton Foster’s, but rather, it was piercing with just the right amount of intensity.
