Chita Rivera at Bard SummerScape's Spiegeltent July 28

click to enlarge

When you're a Broadway icon with almost 70 years on the stage and the recipient of multiple awards (including a 2018 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement) and you're assembling a career-spanning solo concert, how do you pick the numbers? "When you have this kind of longevity, you just know what works," says Chita Rivera, 85, about "Chita! A Legendary Celebration," which the actor, singer, and dancer brings to Bard College's SummerScape festival this month. Rivera's big break came with 1957's original Broadway production of "West Side Story"; major roles in the Broadway debuts of "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Chicago," and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" followed, and her innumerable other career highlights include "Can-Can," "Guys and Dolls," "Call Me Madam," "The Rink, "The Visit," and the film version of "Sweet Charity." Rivera will perform at the Bard SummerScape Spiegeltent on July 28 at 7 and 9:30pm. Tickets start at $45. (845) 758-7900.