PHOTO CALL: Chita Rivera Honored for Life’s Work at New Dramatists Spring Luncheon

By Morgan Allen
May 19, 2006

Chita Rivera—a certified living legend for her 50-plus year career in the theatre and beyond—was honored for her creative contributions at the annual Spring Luncheon held by New Dramatists on May 18.

Each May New Dramatists, the nation’s oldest playwright development center, honors an individual with their lifetime achievement award. Rivera has been nominated for 9 Tony Awards (including this year’s Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life), taking home the statue twice. New Dramatists was founded in 1949 by playwright Michaela O’Harra, along with the support of such notable names as Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, John Golden, Elmer Rice, John Wharton and Moss Hart.

At left, Rivera receives her award alongside fellow Broadway veteran Ben Vereen. Below that, Angela Lansbury, Sarah Jones (Bridge and Tunnel) and LaChanze (The Color Purple) mingle during the event. Further below, Sweeney Todd’s Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, Sheldon Harnick and John Kander, as well as Shuler Hensley (Tarzan) and Lisa Kron (Well) are seen at the New Dramatists 57th Anniversary Spring Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Photos by Aubrey Reuben