Chita

A Memoir

De: Chita Rivera

Narrado por: Chita Rivera

Read by the author.

The long-awaited and wildly entertaining memoir of the star of stage and screen, the legendary Chita Rivera—three-time Tony Award-winner, Kennedy Centers honoree, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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 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.

©2023 Chita Rivera (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

“You, You, You” are the best!

What a joy, what a gift, what an amazing capstone to an inspiring, accomplished life. Kudos to Patrick Pacheco whose brilliance brings out the best, and to Chita for her fascinating and selfless life story. And icing on the cake to hear her brilliant, pitch perfect voice in one of the best ever audio books!

Great read

I totally enjoyed every minute. I was wonderful to hear Chita’s experiences of all the shows she was in. I saw almost every show she was in. Thank you Chita

Chita

What a great story about a wonderful woman. She funny and experienced. You’re awesome Chita Rivera!

All

Loved all of it very real, very loving Clara to understand fantastic I'm extremely well grounded and optimistically encouraging

What a great woman!

I heard Chita being interviewed on the Len & Michael morning show a couple of weeks ago and I knew I had to learn more about this great entertainer! It was hard to believe she was 90 years old, Chita, you’ve had such a wonderful life. Your story held me captive from the first chapter to the last. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

I loved it because it was to the point and honest. Period

It was definitely not something for someone who is not into Broadway… But if you were Broadway fan, it was excellent. Her references her stories… Everything about it was just superb. I didn’t want it to end.

Chita

one of the best memoirs. a lesson for how to behave in showbiz. wish there were more like her.

The broadway history and the roles she created.

I love Chita. Was fortunate to see her show quite a few years ago at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. While her read it’s a bit choppy at times. I really enjoyed listening to her. Tell the story I’m sure there’s much more she could tell, but what she did tell was fantastic.

Chita Rivera- Authenticity & Originality personified!

There will never be another Chita Rivera and her life and accomplishments will forever be the bar in which greatness is set. Chita it’s been an honor to work with you, to call you a friend and to be part of your life in theater, music and dance. You shared so much, took us behind the scenes and let us in. The first TV special I danced with you, PBS Great Performances, Broadway sings the music of Jules Styne choreographed by Alan Johnson, was the first performance back from your accident and wow how you changed my life. “Every streets a Boulevard in old New York.. so keep smiling …” thank you for including me in your journey. All I can say is “you, you, you…” Kander and Ebb

Fascinating History of Theater

Chita is a time capsule of Broadway history and the entertainment industry at large told with all the inside stories and memories of the woman who was there for it all. She reveals so much about the people she worked with and does so without being gossipy. Despite her personal success I didn't get a sense of egotism. Such a thrill to have her read her story to me!