Center Theatre Group presented the North American premiere of Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet on Wednesday evening, and when it ended, the entire Ahmanson Theatre audience was on its feet offering a standing ovation. After the dance company had taken final bows — with Paris Fitzpatrick’s Romeo and Monique Jonas’ Juliet receiving the love while covered in (spoiler alert!) blood-drenched white ensembles — Melissa McCarthy and Adam Shankman sat back down in their orchestra seats in row F.
The good friends, who arrived together, proceeded to stay seated for another 10 minutes or so to process what they’d seen through tear-filled eyes. “I just love a comedy,” Shankman said to The Hollywood Reporter in the lobby moments later. He was kidding, of course, as the show offers a surprising, dramatic and somewhat violent twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.
“It was magnificent,” continued Shankman, who broke out as...
The good friends, who arrived together, proceeded to stay seated for another 10 minutes or so to process what they’d seen through tear-filled eyes. “I just love a comedy,” Shankman said to The Hollywood Reporter in the lobby moments later. He was kidding, of course, as the show offers a surprising, dramatic and somewhat violent twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.
“It was magnificent,” continued Shankman, who broke out as...
- 2/2/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chita Rivera, the legendary Broadway performer, has passed away at the age of 91.
The celebrated entertainer, winner of multiple Tony Awards, had a highly successful theater career that spanned almost seven decades.
Known for her iconic roles, such as Anita in West Side Story, Velma in Chicago, and Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Rivera began her Broadway journey in the 1950s, securing roles in productions like Can-Can and Mr. Wonderful.
Joining the original cast of West Side Story in 1957 marked a pivotal moment in her career, propelling her to Broadway stardom. Shortly afterward, she earned a Tony Award nomination for the musical Bye Bye Birdie alongside Dick Van Dyke.
Rivera’s longtime publicist, Merle Frimark, confirmed her passing to CNN, stating that she died peacefully in New York on Tuesday after a brief illness.
With a remarkable 10 Tony Award nominations and wins for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman,...
The celebrated entertainer, winner of multiple Tony Awards, had a highly successful theater career that spanned almost seven decades.
Known for her iconic roles, such as Anita in West Side Story, Velma in Chicago, and Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Rivera began her Broadway journey in the 1950s, securing roles in productions like Can-Can and Mr. Wonderful.
Joining the original cast of West Side Story in 1957 marked a pivotal moment in her career, propelling her to Broadway stardom. Shortly afterward, she earned a Tony Award nomination for the musical Bye Bye Birdie alongside Dick Van Dyke.
Rivera’s longtime publicist, Merle Frimark, confirmed her passing to CNN, stating that she died peacefully in New York on Tuesday after a brief illness.
With a remarkable 10 Tony Award nominations and wins for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Frank Yemi
- Monsters and Critics
President Joe Biden praised Chita Rivera as a performer who “brought joy to millions and captured the grit and grace of America.”
“A mesmerizing dancer, singer, and actor, Chita’s work was more than entertainment – it reflects part of who we are as Americans and as human beings, and it has helped shape how we see each other and our world,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House today. “Chita knew what great Americans know – it’s not how hard you get knocked down, it’s how quickly you get back up. Her dazzling charm will live on in the soul of our nation.”
Rivera died on Tuesday after a brief illness. She was 91.
In the statement, Biden recognized Rivera’s work, including “originating the roles of iconic strong women in classics from West Side Story, to Bye Bye, Birdie, to Chicago, to Kiss of the Spider Woman,...
“A mesmerizing dancer, singer, and actor, Chita’s work was more than entertainment – it reflects part of who we are as Americans and as human beings, and it has helped shape how we see each other and our world,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House today. “Chita knew what great Americans know – it’s not how hard you get knocked down, it’s how quickly you get back up. Her dazzling charm will live on in the soul of our nation.”
Rivera died on Tuesday after a brief illness. She was 91.
In the statement, Biden recognized Rivera’s work, including “originating the roles of iconic strong women in classics from West Side Story, to Bye Bye, Birdie, to Chicago, to Kiss of the Spider Woman,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Chita Rivera, the sultry singer, dancer and actress who commanded the Broadway stage for more than a half-century, has died. She was 91.
Rivera died peacefully in New York on Tuesday, following a brief illness, her daughter, Lisa Mordente, shared in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Known for her long, sleek legs, smoldering green eyes and lusty singing voice, the two-time Tony Award winner originated some of musical theater’s most iconic characters.
When West Side Story bowed in 1957, it was Rivera singing about life in America as the fiery Puerto Rican transplant Anita. As Rose Grant, the long-suffering girlfriend of songwriter Albert Peterson, Rivera received top billing over Dick Van Dyke in 1960’s Bye Bye Birdie. In 1975, she made the stage sizzle with “All That Jazz” as Velma Kelly in Chicago. And the 1993 musical adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman put her in the spotlight as the sexy Spider Woman.
Rivera died peacefully in New York on Tuesday, following a brief illness, her daughter, Lisa Mordente, shared in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Known for her long, sleek legs, smoldering green eyes and lusty singing voice, the two-time Tony Award winner originated some of musical theater’s most iconic characters.
When West Side Story bowed in 1957, it was Rivera singing about life in America as the fiery Puerto Rican transplant Anita. As Rose Grant, the long-suffering girlfriend of songwriter Albert Peterson, Rivera received top billing over Dick Van Dyke in 1960’s Bye Bye Birdie. In 1975, she made the stage sizzle with “All That Jazz” as Velma Kelly in Chicago. And the 1993 musical adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman put her in the spotlight as the sexy Spider Woman.
- 1/30/2024
- by Chris Koseluk
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chita Rivera has sadly passed away at the age of 91.
The Tony-winning entertainer was a legend of the stage, originating the roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman, just to name a few.
Chita‘s death was confirmed by her daughter Lisa Mordente.
Keep reading to find out more…
The late actress died “after a brief illness.”
“She is also survived by her siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero, (her older sister Carmen predeceased her), along with her many nieces, nephews and friends. Her funeral will be private. A memorial service will be announced in due course,” Lisa said in a statement (via People).
Chita‘s friend Merle Frimark added, “It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of...
The Tony-winning entertainer was a legend of the stage, originating the roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman, just to name a few.
Chita‘s death was confirmed by her daughter Lisa Mordente.
Keep reading to find out more…
The late actress died “after a brief illness.”
“She is also survived by her siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero, (her older sister Carmen predeceased her), along with her many nieces, nephews and friends. Her funeral will be private. A memorial service will be announced in due course,” Lisa said in a statement (via People).
Chita‘s friend Merle Frimark added, “It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of...
- 1/30/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
by Nathaniel R
Memoir alert! For those of you who love showbiz biographies, take note that "Chita: A Memoir" is now on sale. The legendary dancer and multiple Tony winner Chita Rivera, turned 90 earlier this year. She was spurred to write the memoir (with the help of Patrick Pacheco) during the pandemic when there was so much down time.
Rivera and Pacheco are smart and know to drop the goods immediately; The very first chapter is on how she landed the legend-making role of "Anita" in Broadway's original incarnation of West Side Story... aka the greatest musical ever written. "Anita" is one of those roles. If you deliver, your career will never be the same again (just ask Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose) but it all started with Chita.
Having just started the book, we can't speak to how often the memoir will return to the iconic musical but we...
Memoir alert! For those of you who love showbiz biographies, take note that "Chita: A Memoir" is now on sale. The legendary dancer and multiple Tony winner Chita Rivera, turned 90 earlier this year. She was spurred to write the memoir (with the help of Patrick Pacheco) during the pandemic when there was so much down time.
Rivera and Pacheco are smart and know to drop the goods immediately; The very first chapter is on how she landed the legend-making role of "Anita" in Broadway's original incarnation of West Side Story... aka the greatest musical ever written. "Anita" is one of those roles. If you deliver, your career will never be the same again (just ask Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose) but it all started with Chita.
Having just started the book, we can't speak to how often the memoir will return to the iconic musical but we...
- 5/14/2023
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
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