Broadway legend Chita Rivera remembered at award ceremony

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) -- A star-studded night as the annual Chita Rivera Awards were handed out at the NYU Skirball Center.

It honors the best in dance and choreography in television, film and theater. It is the first time the ceremony has been held since Chita Rivera died in January 2024 at the age of 91.

"Those are always the hardest, aren't they? The first of everything. This is really special because it continues her legacy and her love of dance, of choreography, and making everyone take notice that these kids need to be noticed more," Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, attended the event and told PIX11 News.

Mordente walked the red carpet with "Dirty Dancing" choreographer Kenny Ortega.

"That's what I think other artists too can learn from her. You want to do it and you want to have longevity , then you keep working at it," Ortega told PIX11 News.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Bernadette Peters.

Peters appeared in the movie Tick, Tick...Boom! with Rivera.

"She was just shining, and that was only about four years ago; I just think she's an inspiration," Peters said.

Proceeds from the event go to the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, which has now created the Chita Rivera Training Scholarship. It will be handed out at next year's ceremony.