‘Dancer’s Life’ celebrated on stage

Lisa Mordente describes her mother as “superhuman.” The only child of Broadway legend Chita Rivera and dancer/choreographer Tony Mordente, Lisa Mordente was born in the middle of the original Broadway run of “West Side Story”— the “daughter of a jet and a shark.”

While creating the role of Anita, Rivera performed more than halfway into her pregnancy and returned to the show just after her daughter was born. Fifty years and two Tony Awards later, she is still on stage, presenting the autobiographical musical, “The Dancer’s Life,” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center this week.

“Of all the genes I’ve inherited from her, the two genes I really hope I have are the aging gene — she’s like a 20-year-old — and the superhuman gene,” said Lisa Mordente, of her 74-year-old mother. “She’d go crazy if she wasn’t performing, and I don’t see any sign of her stopping.”

Serving as the dance captain and a swing performer in the show, Mordente is delighted to have followed in her mother’s footsteps and to accompany Rivera — also known for her leading roles in “Chicago” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” — on the national Broadway tour that celebrates her career, from childhood to present.

She promises audiences of the only Southern California engagement an inspiring and entertaining performance regardless of age and profession.

“You can be a plumber or a businessperson or a kid that just started dance class, and you can come see the show and love it because it’s really about life, not show business,” Mordente said. “What my mom represents is the human side of this business.”

As Rivera reminisces with spectators about working with some of the greatest talents in the industry — such as Bob Fosse, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins — “The Dancer’s Life” performer Ramon del Barrio is counting his own lucky stars for the opportunity to perform alongside the musical theater superstar who was the first Latino woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honors award.

“To actually be on stage with somebody who created so many iconic roles, somebody I looked up to so much, is so amazing and almost surreal,” said del Barrio, who choreographed the Oscar-winning short film “West Bank Story.” “It means a lot to learn and perform with someone who is an originator.”

The longevity and achievements of Rivera’s career have served as an inspiration to del Barrio since he entered the entertainment industry at 10. Having worked with several musical talents, including Whitney Houston, Lionel Ritchie and Barbra Streisand, he notedthat Rivera’s continued commitment and hard work distinguish her from today’s instantaneous celebrities.

“No overnight success will ever replace true blood, sweat and tears,” he said. “I don’t think today’s stars are going to create a legacy that will go down in the history books, and I think Chita clearly has.”