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[0:00] Martín Acuña: Hi, everyone. I am Martín Acuña, and you're listening to Backstage Talk.

[0:10] Martín Acuña: Hello, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Backstage Talk. Today, I'm really excited and I'm really nervous because this is the first live episode that we do at the Museum of Broadway, this iconic place in the middle of Midtown in Manhattan. And I have here the amazing Eric Ulloa.

[0:30] Eric Ulloa: Hi, everyone.

[0:31] Martín Acuña: And we're sitting in the heart of the museum at the West Side Story exhibition because today's episode is a Chita Rivera tribute. I want to start this episode quoting the amazing Chita. She, a long time ago, said, "I do believe that being a dancer gave me the ability to fight and to withstand and to cope. And if I come back, I want to come back a dancer." I think those remarkable words talk to every single artist. If I come back at some point in this timeline, in this universe or in another universe, I would love to come back as an artist. Would you?

[1:06] Eric Ulloa: I would. Yeah, I guess so. Yeah. Yeah, I love that. I mean, she's the epitome of just fierce and a fighter and tough, and not enough words can be said about that. So, yes, I think it built her for this business for sure. As a quick recap, Chita was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, born in Washington, D.C. to Puerto Rican heritage. She was one of Broadway's iconic triple threats that starred in, again, iconic shows like West Side Story, where she played Anita. We have her in a couple of pictures over here, I believe.

[1:40] Martín Acuña: She's in front of us.

[1:42] Eric Ulloa: Yes, right in front of us.

[1:43] Martín Acuña: Yes. Also, Bye Bye Birdie in 1960, Chicago in '75 playing Velma, The Ring featuring Liza Minnelli in '84, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She also worked in iconic films. She worked in this industry for more than half a century, films like Sweet Charity in '69, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club's Band, Chicago, and even the 2021 film adaptation of Tic-Tac Boom. I mean, it doesn't get as iconic as that. The role that truly catapulted her to fame was Anita in West Side Story, 1957. And besides that, she got 10 Tony nominations, winning two of them for The Ring and Kiss of the Spider Woman, and then the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Chita was also the first Latina to win a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. And that, I guess, I mean, for both of us, means the world to me, because we've been the first Latinos doing a lot of stuff in our industry. And I know that that means the world for both of us.

[3:08] Eric Ulloa: Absolutely.

[3:09] Martín Acuña: She also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. And to close this recap, she worked with every single writer in the golden age, from Berlin, Lesser, Porter, Bernstein, Sondheim, Strauss, Adams, Kander, Abbs, Stone, Coleman, Fields, Schwartz, Herman, Bach, Wilson, and the list keeps coming and keeps going. She is just a light for all of us Latinos working in and out of the arts industry. To close this recap, I have another quote to bring you on, Eric, because this is something that you truly do in every work that you do onstage, offstage, writing, on film, on TV, on live shows. She said, "You've got to be ready to do the work, the hard work, the relentless work." And that is what you've been doing, not only since your Broadway debut with On Your Feet, but also writing and with Viva Broadway. So here, for this incredible episode, I want to introduce you to Eric. So Eric, I'll leave you to take it up, to introduce yourself a little bit.

[4:41] Eric Ulloa: Yeah. First of all, I'm thrilled to be here. We're literally sitting in Doc's diner or drugstore, I guess that's what it's called. But it's pretty cool. I keep on getting so... My ADD is going nuts. I'm just staring at everything. Yeah, I'm honored to be here talking about Chita Rivera. People forget because she's 7 decades in this business. I mean, 70 years in our business. That is a long time. And she was the torchbearer. She really was. You start going back, she was the one that first was... When you had a star with one of our last names, Rivera, something that wasn't common at all back then. I love that quote you said about her being a fighter in the beginning and about that it trained her for this business. Because what's fascinating about her that I always love, and I just was doing a little deep dive recently again about her, her foray into theater was completely an accident.

[5:42] Martín Acuña: Yeah.

[5:43] Eric Ulloa: Yeah. She literally went with a friend to an audition. She was studying ballet, and she went with a friend to an audition for the National... I think it was Can-Can, I think it was a show, and was going to support her friend and just happened to dance in it. Well, her friend didn't get it, but guess what? She did.

[6:00] Martín Acuña: She did.

[6:00] Eric Ulloa: She did. And from that moment on, she made her Broadway debut in Guys and Dolls in the ensemble. And then, as we know, she literally kicked down the doors of the Winter Garden with that long leg and that purple dress as Anita. Yeah, she... I think we sometimes, because we think of West Side Story, 1950s, we forget not only that the show broke so much ground, she broke so much ground for Latins everywhere. Because it wasn't... Up until then, I always call it the pineapple on our head era. We were always like, dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun. There's pineapples on our head, and we were entertainment. Some people still think we are. But she was the first person, as far as I can remember or recall, that in West Side Story, Anita was just kind of a badass. She did not allow for anybody to think anything of her, but what she wanted them to know about her.

[7:01] Martín Acuña: Yeah, what she wanted to put into the world.

[7:03] Eric Ulloa: America is a declarative statement. I love that she... There's lines in there like, "Don't forget, Puerto Rico is in America. We are Americans." And in 1957, that is a bold thing. It's not about... We're not immigrants. We're home. This is our home, too. And we have a right to be here. And it's not even... It wasn't asking or begging. It was declaring, which I think is just so awesome that that was happening in the 50s already. With, you know, she, again, like 70 years of a career, she just... The fighting spirit. I mean, so you said she had 10 nominations, two Tony Awards, her first Tony. She didn't get her first Tony Award after this long career. So she was like 50 years old.

[7:43] Martín Acuña: Yeah, exactly. That is also like inspiring because...

[7:46] Eric Ulloa: Absolutely.

[7:47] Martín Acuña: I mean, I still go back to a lot of seeing little kids in ensembles, and I'm like, oh, they got their Broadway debut at eight years old.

[7:56] Eric Ulloa: Correct.

[7:56] Martín Acuña: And then that makes me feel like, oh, I'm 22 years behind.

[8:00] Eric Ulloa: Correct. Correct. Correct. Correct.

[8:02] Martín Acuña: But then we see Chita. We see a lot of these amazing performers that are in their 50s, in their 60s, in their late 40s, getting Tony Awards. And it's like, okay, no, I'm not late. It's just maybe not my moment yet.

[8:16] Eric Ulloa: Correct. I really honestly, this business, you know, I'm 42 years old. This business is very much the tortoise and the hare. Like the hare can try to race like that, but it is a journey. It is a slow walk and climb and all of that. And she defined that. Like she worked steadily. She just worked all the time. And then the accolades and everything else came in time. I mean, you look back at videos of her doing Kiss of the Spider Woman, kicking that leg up and everything. She was 60 years old.

[8:44] Martín Acuña: Yes.

[8:44] Eric Ulloa: Like I wake up with back pain at 42, 60 years old, and she is popping those hips, kicking those legs like no one's business. It is remarkable. I mean, the dancer's life, when she was doing that, I forget how she was. Wild, wild, you know? And I also love that he mentioned that she ended up in theater because of fate and fortune of the universe. In her memoir, she, and like going back to your comment about her fighting personality, in her memoir, she mentions there are two people inside of her. One is Chita, which is the show business woman. And then there is Dolores, who is the fighter, who is the one that pushed her to be in the business, to achieve the dream, to get there, to be on stage every single night kicking. So I love that from her.

[9:40] Eric Ulloa: And also the anecdote of she went through a coffee table because she was jumping around her living room. And when she went through the table, her mom was like, "I'm done with you. I'm taking you to ballet class." And that was the beginning of everything.

[9:54] Martín Acuña: Really?

[9:54] Eric Ulloa: Yeah.

[9:54] Martín Acuña: Oh, I love that.

[9:54] Eric Ulloa: Yeah. And then your story of she went to an audition with a friend, the friend didn't get it, and things, the snowball just kept going downhill. I love that she has this, I think that spirit that all of us in the theater, in whatever capacity it is, creative people in general, at that point where our parents were like, "Okay, enough."

[10:12] Martín Acuña: I'm done.

[10:13] Eric Ulloa: I have to place you somewhere because you are, you cannot be in this home anymore. Just destroying things or making noise. I know my family should do that.

[10:20] Martín Acuña: Yeah. I don't know if my dad did it at some point, but maybe, probably. But yeah, I want to, going back to our conversation, I just want to push forward the idea of a petition that you recently posted on social media after her passing. We've seen that Broadway theaters are getting renamed every certain years or after someone passes away.

[10:50] Eric Ulloa: Welcome to the Chita Rivera tribute episode. Today, we’re celebrating the incredible legacy of Chita Rivera, an icon in the world of musical theatre.

[11:14] Eric Ulloa: Chita has paved the way for so many performers and has left an indelible mark on Broadway. It’s astonishing to think about her contributions and the impact she’s had on the industry.

[11:34] Eric Ulloa: One of the things we’re discussing today is why a Broadway theatre hasn’t been renamed after her. It’s a question that many of us have been asking, and it’s time to bring attention to this issue.

[11:54] Eric Ulloa: Chita’s performances in shows like "West Side Story" and "Chicago" have become legendary. Her talent and charisma have captivated audiences for decades.

[12:14] Eric Ulloa: We’re here at the Museum of Broadway, surrounded by the history of the shows that have shaped our culture, and it feels fitting to honor Chita Rivera in this space.

[12:34] Eric Ulloa: As we dive into this tribute, I want to encourage everyone to reflect on the importance of recognizing the contributions of artists like Chita.

[12:54] Eric Ulloa: She’s not just a performer; she’s a trailblazer who has inspired countless others to pursue their dreams in the performing arts.

[13:14] Eric Ulloa: Throughout this episode, we’ll share stories, memories, and insights about Chita’s career and the legacy she continues to build.

[13:34] Eric Ulloa: I’m excited to have this conversation and to celebrate the life and work of such a remarkable artist.

[13:54] Eric Ulloa: So, let’s get started and pay tribute to the one and only Chita Rivera.

[14:14] Eric Ulloa: I want to remind everyone that there’s a petition circulating to rename a Broadway theatre in her honor.

[14:34] Eric Ulloa: If you’re passionate about this cause, I encourage you to sign it and show your support for Chita.

[15:02] Eric Ulloa: It’s time we recognize the incredible contributions she has made to the world of musical theatre.

[15:22] Eric Ulloa: Chita’s performances have not only entertained but have also opened doors for future generations of performers.

[15:42] Eric Ulloa: Her talent is unmatched, and her dedication to her craft is something we can all aspire to.

[16:02] Eric Ulloa: As we celebrate her legacy, let’s also think about how we can continue to support and uplift artists in our community.

[16:22] Eric Ulloa: Chita Rivera is a name that should be celebrated, and it’s our responsibility to ensure her legacy lives on.

[16:42] Eric Ulloa: Thank you for joining us in this tribute, and let’s continue to honor the incredible work of Chita Rivera.

[17:02] Eric Ulloa: I’m looking forward to sharing more stories and insights about her life and career throughout this episode.

[17:22] Eric Ulloa: Let’s dive deeper into her journey and the impact she’s had on the world of musical theatre.

[17:42] Eric Ulloa: Chita’s story is one of resilience, talent, and passion, and it deserves to be told.

[18:02] Eric Ulloa: So, let’s celebrate her achievements and the joy she has brought to so many.

[18:22] Eric Ulloa: I hope you enjoy this tribute as much as I enjoy sharing it with you.

[18:42] Eric Ulloa: Let’s keep the conversation going and ensure that Chita Rivera’s legacy is never forgotten.

[19:02] Eric Ulloa: Thank you for being part of this special episode dedicated to an extraordinary artist.

[19:22] Eric Ulloa: Together, we can make a difference and honor the incredible contributions of Chita Rivera.

[19:42] Eric Ulloa: Let’s continue to celebrate her life and work as we move forward.

[20:02] Eric Ulloa: Thank you for listening, and let’s keep the spirit of Chita Rivera alive in our hearts.

[20:22] Eric Ulloa: Remember to sign the petition and support this important cause.

[20:42] Eric Ulloa: Together, we can ensure that her legacy is recognized and celebrated for generations to come.

[21:02] Eric Ulloa: Thanks everyone for listening to this new episode of Backstage Talk.

[21:23] Eric Ulloa: Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Backstage Talk Podcast.