we'll begin font with the wonderful chita rivera, created the roles of anit>ak in west si story, rose in bye-bye bier rdi and velma kelly in chicago. then we'll turn to a conversation with another extraordinary dancer, maurice hines, for some 40 years has redefined particularly american art of tap dancing. we're glad you've joined us. conversations with chita rivera and maurice hines coming up right now. ♪ >>> contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ >>> chita rivera has been performing six decades now turning out extraordinary performances in "west side story." "chicago." "kiss the spider woman." and "sweet charity." earned nine tony award nominations and won as best actress on a musical twice. her 81st birthday. stay right there, jonathan, on that face. nobody believes this. i don't believe it. >> thank you. >> and she's celebrating with a tour of a one-woman show, chita, a legendary celebration. let's take a look. ♪ and if you find that you'll land in jail ♪ ♪ come up here ♪ play with me ♪ play with me ♪ >> let me just start with the obvious. what is th

. >> i had chita rivera here not too long ago who's still dancing her age.put it, got to dance your age. >> that's a timeless artist. incredible. >> i was going to, initially, though, what it's -- how interesting it is. i don't want to say weird, bt interesting it is to sit in the audience, as i did the other night and watch you play these characters, this character who was -- my word, not yours -- so muted, so staged, so this. and the person playing him has always been like this. i mean, that's when you know you're a good actor. all of that. >> that's the challenge. you have to get into the skin of that character. >> right. yeah. you, as i said, have won, received just about every major award there is, and yet you keep pushing yourself to innovate, to create, to try different things. what's that all about? >> you don't measure life by receiving awards. >> right. >> you know, i'm flattered and i'm deeply honored, you know, to receive something like, you kno know. it is -- i'm afraid to get bored with myself. that's number one. second one -- second point. you