ByChita Rivera

She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Riverountil the entertainment world renamed her. But Doloresthe irreverent side of the sensual, dark, and ferocious Chitawas always present and influential in creating some of Broadways most iconic roles, including Anita inWest Side StoryRosie inBye Bye Birdie, Velma inChicago, Aurora inKiss of the Spider Woman, and Claire inThe Visit.

Written in gratitude to her fans and with the hope that new generations may learn from her experience, Chita takes us backstage to reveal the highs and lows of one extraordinary show business careerthe creative fermentation, the ego clashes, the miraculous discoveries. Chita invites us into the room with some of the greatest talents of the age, including Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Hal Prince, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine, and more.

This colorful memoir is the unforgettable story of a performer who blazed her own trail and inspired countless performers to forge their own paths to success.