Chita Rivera, The Dancer's Life, written by Terrence McNally, is not only a survey of the great singer/dancer's life and adventures, it's a great story of fifty years of American Musical Theater, and a fabulous performance by one of the most talented, liveliest stars ever to appear on Broadway. Okay, at 73 her leg doesn't kick as high. So what? Her persona is here, her charm, her radiance, even most of her voice. It's a privilege to spend a couple of hours with a star of this magnitude as she shows and tells us her fascinating life.
High points are the making of West Side Story and the piece about the styles and approaches of the various choreographers she worked with, including Jack Cole, Bob Fosse, Peter Gennaro and Jerome Robbins. Surrounded by a cast of marvelous Broadway dancers led by the strong ultra-flexible Lloyd Culbreath, all powerfully directed and beautifully choreographed by Graciella Daniele, with imaginative set design by Loy Arcenas enhanced by shadow work and Toni-Leslie James' costumes, with lighting by Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, it's a fascinating story and a great entertainment -- an event not to be missed.
