[NEohioPAL]Berko review: CHITA RIVERA, THE DANCER'S LIFE (Palace Theatre)

[Roy Berko]

Chita Rivera lights up stage at the Palace; previews
of coming attractions

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

On September 26, 1957, ‘WEST SIDE STORY’ opened at the
Winter Garden Theater in New York.  	I saw the show on
September 27.  I went into the theatre not having read
the rave reviews in the paper that AM.  I was
completely blown away.  The Arthur Laurent, (book)
Leonard Bernstein (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics)
conceived show was everything a Broadway musical
should be.  It told a modern version of ‘ROMEO AND
JULIET,’ featuring the conflict between Puerto Ricans
and “white” Americans.  The music and lyrics were
exciting.  The cast superb.  The person who totally
enthralled me was Chita Rivera, playing the fiery and
lusty Anita.

The dancer, singer, actress is presently telling her
life story in ‘CHITA RIVERA, THE DANCER’S LIFE’ at the
Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square.   And it is a
story worth telling.  

Some interesting facts roll out in the production. 
Her first professional stage appearance was in Akron
as a dancer in ‘CALL ME MADAM.’  Her first starring
role was in ‘BYE BYE BIRDIE.’  She has twice appeared
in major shows with Liza Minnelli (‘CHICAGO’ and ‘THE
RINK).  She has worked with the greatest
choreographers in modern theatre including Jack Cole,
Bob Fosse, Harold Robbins and Michael Kidd.

The most enticing part of ‘CHITA RIVERA, THE DANCER’S
LIFE” is the segment in which she talks about the
choreographers and behind her, in silouhette, a line
of dancers emulate each of the dance styles of these
men.

Rivera, who starred on Broadway in such shows as ‘THE
RINK’, ‘SWEET CHARITY’ and ‘CHICAGO,’ still has “it!” 
She is compelling on stage.  

The well-preserved 74-year old can still flash the
magical smile, move those sensual hips and kick
moderately high though she needs some sit-down breaks.
 What is most interesting is that by all rules of
medicine she should not even be on that stage.

In 1986 she was hit by a car.  Her leg was shattered,
requiring 16 screws to repair the damage.  She was
told she might not ever walk again.  Her guts and
determination transformed themselves into a will power
that has allowed her not only to walk, but to dance
for almost an hour-and-a-half in her present show.

Capsule judgment:  If you love musical theatre, if you
want to see the consummate musical theatre performer
in what is maybe her final appearance in the
spotlight, you’ll love ‘CHITA RIVERA, THE DANCER’S
LIFE.’

The show runs through February 25 at the Palace
Theatre in Playhouse Square.  For tickets call
216-241-6000, 800-766-6048 or go on line to
www.playhousesquare.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

‘LEGENDS!,’ a comedy by Elyria native James Kirkwood
(author of ‘A CHORUS LINE’) starring Joan Collins and
Linda Evans.  March 20-April 1.  Palace Theatre.  For
tickets call 216-241-6000, 800-766-6048 or go on line
to www.playhousesquare.com.

’SONG AND DANCE,’ a song and dance concert for the
theatre composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Co-directed
by Beck’s Artrisitc Director Scott Spence and Verb
Ballets’ Artistic Director Hernando Cortez.  March
16-April 7.  BECK CENTER.  Tickets:  216 521-2540.

‘LUNAR SEAS’--MOMIX.  Sponsored by DanceCleveland and
Cuyahoga Community College.  A return engagement by
the amazing MOMIX company.  March 9 and 10 at the
State Theatre. For tickets call 216-241-6000,
800-766-6048 or go on line to www.playhousesquare.com.




Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.  His dance reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


 
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