Newsweek hails her as "the greatest musical theater dancer ever!"

Now, direct from Broadway, two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera is coming to The Colonial Theatre for eight performances only, May 1 - 8, in "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life," a dazzling musical evening celebrating her phenomenal career.

As an aspiring 17-year-old ballerina, Chita Rivera decided to accompany a friend to an audition for the chorus of "Call Me Madam" without any intention of pursuing a part in the show. Jerome Robbins took one look at her, cast her as a principal dancer, and the rest is theater history.

She has received two Tony Awards, several additional Tony nominations, and the Kennedy Center Honor, among many others. Throughout her 50 year career, Chita has been refered to by critics as no less than "a force of nature" and a "true Broadway star."

Written by Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele, the evening features Rivera and a cast of Broadway's most talented singers and dancers sharing a rare look into the moments when some of the greastest musical numbers in theater were born -- as related and performed by the woman for whom they were created.

These landmark musical creations were helmed by some of the greatest talents in American theater history, including Jerome Robbins, Leomnard Berstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion and Michael Kidd. New songs are by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the award-winning musical team behind "Ragtime," "Seussical" and others.

Along the way, Rivera and company will recreate and celebrate some of her most legendary Broadway performances including numbers from "West Side Story," "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Chicago" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

For information and tickets, stop by the Colonial box office, call 617-9310-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

-- OnStage Boston

04/13/07