At 82, Rivera will go to Broadway

Chita Rivera has gotten an early birthday present: A musical she has long championed is coming to Broadway with herself as the star.

Rivera said on Thursday that The Visit, with music by Fred Ebb and John Kander, and a story by playwright Terrence McNally, will open at the Lyceum Theatre this spring. Tony Award winner Roger Reese will co-star as her love interest.

"I'm excited because it has been such a long time but also because we love this piece and really think the American theater could enjoy a wonderful, interesting, smart musical like this," says Rivera, who turns 82 on Jan 23. "Be prepared. Because you never know when the phone call's going to happen."