Chita: A Memoir
by Chita Rivera, Patrick Pacheco (Author)
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Description
She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero--until the entertainment world renamed her. But Dolores--the irreverent side of the sensual, dark and ferocious Chita--was always present center stage, and was influential in creating some of Broadway most iconic and acclaimed roles, including Anita in West Side Story' the part that made her a star--Rosie in Bye Bye, Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Written in gratitude to her longstanding fans and with the show more hope that new generations may learn from her extraordinary experience, Chita takes us behind the curtain to reveal the highs and lows of one extraordinary showbusiness career--the creative fermentation, the ego clashes, the miraculous discoveries, the exhilaration when it all went right, and the disappointment when it all went wrong. Chita invites us into workrooms and rehearsal studies, on stage and on set as she works with some of the greatest talents of the age, including Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Hal Prince, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr, Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine, and many others. We also learn deeply moving, revelatory details about her upbringing and her heritage, and how they indelibly shaped her work and career. This colorful and entertaining memoir--as vital and captivating as Chita herself--is the unforgettable and engrossing personal story of a performer who blazed her own trail and inspired countless performers to forge their own unique path to success. show lessTags
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Reliving the glory days of Broadway through the eyes of a legendary icon of the Broadway stage.
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174 works; 1 member
Author Information
2+ Works 54 Members
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Awards and Honors
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Chita Rivera
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Music, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Food & Cooking
- DDC/MDS
- 791.43092 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Public performances Motion pictures, radio, television, podcasting Motion pictures Standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography; description, critical appraisal of specific companies and studios {for specific films see 791.437} Biography
- LCC
- PN2287 .R546 .A3 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Dramatic representation. The theater Special regions or countries
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 52
- Popularity
- 584,136
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.25)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 2
