Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life is not a one-woman show. A troupe of dancers help tell the story.

THE NEW YORK TIMES / SARA KRULWICHSARA KRULWICH

PROVIDENCE — Chita Rivera’s still got it.

At 74, the Broadway legend has a spring in her step and a belt in her voice in Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life. The show, which opened Tuesday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, is essentially a theatrical autobiography. However, Rivera’s is more than a dancer’s life.

While Rivera still dances, and does well for her age, it’s her singing and, most especially, her storytelling that carries the show. This is all about personality, and Rivera has lots of it. She comes across as playful, charming and self-effacing in reflecting on her 57-year career.

“Looking back doesn’t have to be painful,” she says.

This look is generally pleasing, though there are lulls in the retrospective.

The show, written by Terrence McNally, is a chronological review of Rivera’s life, retold by Rivera, the raconteur. She recalls the notable people and productions in her life, and does so with humor. It’s not just what Rivera says, but how she says it, with a great range of vocal, comical inflection.

Rivera’s is also the actor’s life, and the singer’s. Her pacing and texturing of tunes is very good. And some songs, she simply owns: “Big Spender” from Sweet Charity, and, particularly, “All That Jazz” from Chicago.

In one song from West Side Story, “A Boy Like That,” Rivera presents three brief versions, remembering her audition for the play, and how she was directed to be more angry, and then less angry, until finally hitting the emotional mark.

This is not a one-woman show. Rivera is joined on stage by a dance troupe of eight, who sometimes dance behind her and sometimes dance with her, portraying members of her family and fellow performers in shows. Rivera still kicks up her legs, not as high as in her youth, but still with style, spirit and grace.

The dancing punctuates Rivera’s stories. Much of the time, she’s alone on stage, reminiscing. When she does so about herself, it’s usually funny. When she focuses on others, it’s not as engaging or endearing.

The show is 90 minutes in two acts, and has an old-fashioned feel. It’s kind of a variety show, a medley of singing, dancing and storytelling. There are no elaborate sets or special effects. It’s a woman telling her remarkable story.

Rivera’s mother sent her to ballet class at age 11 to try to drain some of her energy. It didn’t work. Rivera’s energy was merely redirected, and encouraged – by some of the country’s greatest choreographers: Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine and Bob Fosse.

Rivera’s career began at 17 in Call Me Madam. She played the original roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Anna in The Rink, Aurora in The Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Velma Kelly in Chicago.

“Over the years, these women set me free, to stand on stage and show you me,” Rivera says.

Among other honors, Rivera has received two Tony Awards, one Kennedy Center Award and last year’s Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement presented to her by Trinity Rep. The Dancer’s Life celebrates Rivera’s life. It may seem immodest for Rivera to be leading the celebration. But there’s no one else who can possibly play her.

Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life runs through Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St. Shows are today at 7:30 p.m., tomorrow at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. For tickets, $38 to $65, call (401) 421-2787 or visit www.ppacri.org.

brourke@projo.com