CHITA

At one time, there was a nightclub in New York named the "Grand Finale."  In early 1975 a few of us decided to go see the legendary Chita Rivera do her new act,    She did her customary singing and dancing with four back-up boys, interlaced with stories and songs about her various Broadway shows including "Bye, Bye Birdie" and "West Side Story" making it a  most enjoyable evening.

For her encore, she announced that she was going to do the "World Premier" of a new song by Kander and Ebb.  This was greeted by enthusiastic applause.   And she began. "Come on, boys, we're gonna paint the town."

It was lightning in a bottle and merited a standing ovation at the end.

The song, of course was "All That Jazz" from the new upcoming musical "Chicago," which she later starred in alongside Gwen Verdon in June of that year.   And to think, I heard the world premier.  New York was always full of surprises. And this was one of the best!  Just like Chita!


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