Bill Nutt, Correspondent
Though she appeared in the original Broadway production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” Chita Rivera did not get to sing “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” in that show.
But she includes that song in her concert performances. “I sing it at the beginning,” Rivera said. “I do think I still have a lot of living to do. I’m still here.”
Some might argue that Rivera has already done enough living for more than one lifetime. A two-time Tony winner, she created roles in the Broadway debuts of “West Side Story” and “Chicago,” among other musicals.
The fact that Rivera continues to perform and tour regularly is a testament to that spirit of durability. She turned 85 this past January, a birthday that she admitted “slapped me across the room. But I don’t feel it.”
Rivera, a two-time Tony winner, is currently on the road with another Broadway veteran, Tommy Tune. Their song-and-dance production “Chita & Tune: Just in Time” comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center Saturday night.
Visually, Rivera and Tune make an odd couple. He stands 6’6”, while she is more than a foot shorter. (“I’ve tried to be tall,” she said with a laugh.)
“He and I are like night and day,” Rivera said. “But we make these worlds come together. It’s very sweet.”
In their long careers, these two veteran artists have come together only tangentially. For example, Tune starred in a national tour of “Bye Bye Birdie” in 1990, some 30 years after Rivera played Rose in the original version.
In 2003 Rivera had a featured role in the Broadway revival of “Nine,” more than 20 years after Tune directed and choregraphed the musical’s first run.
Rivera and Tune finally shared a stage in 2013 at an AIDS benefit concert, and Rivera knew they had connection that could work on stage.
Their current concerts have been directed and choreographed by their friend, Graciela Daniele. The show consists of Tune and Rivera performing individual sets, interspersed with duets.
“We start with ‘Just in Time,’” Rivera said, referring to the song from the musical “Bells Are Ringing.” “That’s Tommy and me. We found each other at the right time.”
These concerts also give Rivera a chance to revisit the shows that she appeared in that have become Broadway history.
Rivera credited the achievements of some of the legendary creators with whom she has worked, including songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb, playwright Terrence McNally, and director Bob Fosse.
One show that still resonates with her is “West Side Story,” the updating of “Romeo and Juliet” with songs by the formidable pairing of Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein.
A tragic love story of people from different ethnic backgrounds, “West Side Story” continues to have a timely message (“sadly,” Rivera said). As Anita, she was able to tap her Puerto Rican heritage, besides demonstrating her dancing and dramatic skills.
Rivera said that she and the rest of the cast were pushed by director and choreographer Jerome Robbins. “We wouldn’t have been as good if we didn’t have someone pushing us to do what we didn’t think we could do,” she said.
Having created Anita, Rose, and Velma from “Chicago,” Rivera feels no urgent need to play any particular part in a vintage musical. “I’ve been fortunate enough to do original roles,” she said. “I don’t want to do ‘Gypsy’ or ‘Hello Dolly.’”
She does not rule out new musicals (such as “The Visit” from 2015, for which she received her 10th Tony nomination). However, Rivera said she is happy to make concert appearances, including her turns with Tune.
“I’ve been a very lucky gal,” Rivera concluded. “I’ve worked with the very best. I’m allowed to do what I love to do.”
IF YOU GO
“CHITA & TUNE: JUST IN TIME”
WHAT: Chita Rivera and Tommy Tune, two veteran Broadway performers with a dozen Tony awards between them, will perform songs from shows they have been associated with, including “West Side Story,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Chicago.”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24
WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
TICKETS: $59 to $89
INFORMATION: 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org
STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
Chita Rivera and Tommy Tune will perform a joint concert tomorrow at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
Rivera, twice a Tony winner, appeared in the original Broadway productions of “West Side Story,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chicago,” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
Tune has won a total of 10 Tonys as a performer, director, and choreographer. His credits include “Nine,” “My One and Only,” and “The Will Rogers Follies.”
