Chita

"Chita Rivera blazed a trail where none existed so the rest of us could see a path forward."—Lin-Manuel Miranda

"This deserves a standing ovation."—Publishers Weekly

The wildly entertaining Broadway memoir of the legendary Chita Rivera—multi-Tony Award winner, Kennedy Center 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 and influential in creating some of Broadway’s most iconic roles, including Anita in West Side Story, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma in Chicago, Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Claire in The Visit.

Written in gratitude to her fans, this must-read performing arts biography takes us backstage to reveal the highs and lows of one extraordinary show business career—the creative fermentation, the ego clashes, the miraculous discoveries. Chita invites us into the room with some of the greatest talents of the age, including Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Hal Prince, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine, and more.

This colorful memoir is the unforgettable story of a performer who blazed her own trail and inspired countless performers to forge their own paths to success.

Step behind the curtain for a look at the stories that made the legend:

• The Woman Behind the Legend: Discover Dolores, the irreverent woman who shaped the ferocious stage presence of Chita, and the story behind her iconic name.
• Iconic Broadway Roles: Go beyond the stage as Chita shares the creative process and never-before-told stories from originating roles like Anita in West Side Story and Velma in Chicago.
• Legendary Collaborations: Pull up a chair for intimate moments with the giants of musical theater, including Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, and Jerome Robbins.
• A Trailblazer’s Journey: An inspiring and honest account of a lifetime in the arts, filled with lessons on resilience, creativity, and the price of fame.