The Picture Down The Hall: Miss Chita Rivera

As a boy, I wanted to be a dancer.

I took class. I danced. I read about Baryshnikov and Nureyev. I read about Broadway and the MGM musicals. I loved Tommy Rall and Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Cyd Charisse. I listened to cast albums and soundtracks.

I didn't know who Chita Rivera was until the friend of my parents loaned me the cast album to CHICAGO. Even then, all I knew was that I loved listening to her sing.

When I went to college, I bought cast albums and learned more Chita Rivera; with each album I fell more in love. Chita Rivera became a part of my personal make up.

I watched, a college student in Denton, Texas, as Chita Rivera won her first Tony award for THE RINK.

"Thank you... I'm very happy that I bought the bottom of the dress this year.." I know the speech by heart.

Each year I watched Chita Rivera perform on the Tonys.

Each year I loved her more.

I saw the movie SWEET CHARITY and fell in love some more.

A year before moving to New York Chita Rivera and the Rockettes came to Dallas in the tour of CAN CAN. My friend was working backstage.

She asked me if I wanted an autograph.

Yes.

I gave her my album of THE RINK.

I still have that autographed record album.

I was so happy to hear that Chita Rivera was a fun gal, backstage.

Shortly before moving to New York, I saw Chita Rivera do her number from KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN on the Tonys and, that was it, I was, forever, captured in her web.. oh, no. Pun intended. I watched her win another Tony award and I cheered when it happened.

The first show I saw when I came to New York was Kiss of the Spider Woman.

I keep seeing Chita Rivera in shows and I keep falling in love.

Pat took me to see NINE. During the Follies Bergere number, Chita Rivera chatted with the audience. The first person she talked to was me. I laughed and I cried. I met her backstage after and I got down on my knees at her feet and she laughed and laughed and pulled me back up to my feet and hugged me.

When Bobby McGuire called me to ask me to do these pictures, I thought I would have apoplexy. I was so nervous. I was so scared. I don't think I have ever been so honoured before - even shooting my friend, the great Judi Dench wasn't the same as taking pictures of Chita Rivera DANCING.

I may never recover from this day. I will be on cloud nine and grateful for the rest of my life.

Chita Rivera is THE greatest dancer I have ever seen dance.

And a darn nice lady too.

Chita Rivera is a lady and a star.

THIS was a GREAT day.