tony winner cheat ka ita rivera. i got to sit down with her here in new york.see yourself? >> once a dancer, always a dancer. i came along at a wonderful time. and i was able to do some pretty phenomenal shows. >> miss chrivera. >> reporter: a siren of the stage, singing and dancing for close to seven decades. ♪ today, for the most part, actors, actresses, make it in hollywood or on television. and then, come to broadway. when you were coming up, it was the other way arnold. >> absolutely. >> reporter: you remained true to oyour origins. was that a conscious decision? >> i love the theater. the theater is filled with spirits and foot sprints and that live forever. >> reporter: the two-time tony award winner, headlining more than 40 on and off broadway shows from "west side story," "bye-bye birdie" "sweet charity" and "chicago." many of them is have been ada adapted for film. your full time is deloris conchita figueroarivera. how did it get shortened? >> not many people can pronounce it like you. and it was ridiculous. >> reporter: "west side story." 1957. it ch