Chita Rivera at the Allen Room

Posted by The G on March 7, 2010 under G Reviews | 5 Comments to Read

Photo by G.

Legendary singer Chita Rivera performed at New York’s Allen Room  as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series on March 6, 2010 and she showed the adoring crowd why she is a legend.  The 76 year old two-time Tony award winning singer didn’t take a break during her 80 minute set, where she guided us on a journey of her fantastic career.  She sang songs from her most beloved performances (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Chicago, West Side Story), told anecdotes about all stages of her career and constantly joked about her age.  She went on to prove that age is just a number as her performance is much more rigorous than rock shows I’ve seen performed by people in their 20s, and she pulled it off like a true diva (without the attitude)!  If you’ve never been to the Allen Room, it’s located in the Time Warner Center on 59th and Broadway on the 6th floor and as the room is surrounded by glass, it overlooks the busy and colorful intersection.  Not only was the performance great, but the space added such great ambience.  The performance was recorded to be broadcast in the future, so look for it – it was so great!

The set list for Chita Rivera’s American Songbook performance was:

Mambo Overture

I Won’t Dance/Let Me Sing

West Side Story Medley

Sweet Happy Life

I Don’t Remember You (from The Happy Time)

Kiss of the Spider Woman Medley

Where Am I Going (from Sweet Charity)

Camille, Collette, Fifi (from Seventh Heaven)

Not Exactly Paris

Carousel

Love and Love Alone (from The Visit)

More Than You Know

A Woman The World Has Never Seen (from Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life)

Nowadays (from Chicago)

All That Jazz (from Chicago)

Circle of Friends