Chita gets a holy visitor
CHITA Rivera’s “The Visit” begins previews March 26. Opens April 23. Theater: the Lyceum. It’s this season’s last opening. For sure not Chita’s.
Chita: “I’ve done this musical 14 years. First in Chicago, and we went on following 9/ 11. It’s heavy doing it without those creators, who are gone. But I had faith in it, and my belief is things take their own time. Now I’m back on the horse.
“The show has changed a little. Now one act, not two. Same book. Different staging. But the components fell in place. Its European love story is politically right.
“Listen, I’m not the woman I was 14 years ago. Loving this so much, I think sometimes I am. But I’m not. So I’ve learned to protect myself. Rest is important. No running around. No screwing up. I’ve got lots of energy. I take vacation time. This is a great show, and I want back in it again.
“I carry an altar with me wherever I go. I say prayers. Last September a priest friend arranged a small private audience — three people — with Pope
Francis. I was the only one allowed in. I actually looked in his eyes and his hand touched mine.
“He gave me Communion, and I was wearing only a black shirt and black pants so I felt so stupid.
“I’m Dolores Conchita. Spanish like he is. We could have spoken in Spanish. He asked my name, and I was so nervous I could not get anything out of my mouth. I told him ‘ Chita Rivera,’ my stage name.
“To get his blessing, be in his company, I know I’ve been blessed.”
And when was your last time on Broadway?
“A couple of years ago, in ‘ Drood.’ Different theater. Hey, I’m used to all sorts of things happening. Have I gone up inmy lyrics? Sure. In ‘ Merlin,’ I lost my crown andwas left onstage with a stocking cap on my head. So, as Nathan Lane laughed, I just picked up my crown and went on.” ”