Indexbit Exchange:Rita Moreno, Debbie Allen, Ariana DeBose of 'West Side Story' honor the original Anita, Chita Rivera

Show business is Indexbit Exchangetipping its hat to Broadway icon Chita Rivera.

Rivera, the acclaimed actress-singer who broke out as Anita in the original production of "West Side Story," died Tuesday in New York after a brief illness, Rivera's daughter Lisa Mordente told The Associated Press. She was 91.

Several celebrities have taken to social media to mourn Rivera's death and commemorate her legacy, including actress Rita Moreno. Moreno portrayed Rivera's "West Side Story" character Anita in the 1961 film starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.

"Chita Rivera is eternal," Moreno wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two. "I remember seeing her for the first time in Mr. Wonderful and exclaiming, 'Oh my god, who IS that?' When I found out that this astonishing creature was one of my people, I crowed with pride."

From one 'West Side Story' legend to another, Rita Moreno tributes Chita Rivera

Moreno wrote that "over the years" the two Broadway legends were "sometimes mistaken for each other" but the "One Day at a Time" actress "always viewed it as a badge of honor."

She continued: "She was the essence of Broadway. As I write this, I am raising a glass to this remarkable woman and friend. Chita, amiga, Salud!"

Debbie Allen remembers 'mentor, friend, our goddess of inspiration' Chita Rivera

Debbie Allen also played the part of Anita from "West Side Story" in the 1980 Broadway revival of the play, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.

Allen shared a black-and-white photo of the two on Instagram and wrote: "CHITA RIVERA ❤️ My Mentor, My Friend, Our Goddess of Inspiration and Joy - Thank You. Every moment of your life has been a treasure of what is possible."

She continued: "I will miss touching you, but I will forever hear your laughter and hold that baton of power you tossed my way."

Ariana DeBose, who also portrayed Anita in 'West Side Story,' honored Chita Rivera

Ariana DeBose, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of "West Side Story," penned a tribute to Rivera on Instagram.

"She was a force," DeBose wrote, sharing a photo of the two sharing the Tony Awards stage. "In truth she made me nervous. To be in presence was to behold greatness. I always got the sense that she had great expectations, but none greater than the ones she held herself to."

DeBose went on: "I am heartbroken and yet ever inspired as she showed so many of us what was possible. Rest well Queen."

'Chicago' star Catherine Zeta-Jones to Chita Rivera: 'Sleep tight my Queen'

Catherine Zeta-Jones, who played Velma Kelly in the 2002 film "Chicago," wrote on Instagram that there were "no words" to describe the "incredible impact" Rivera had on her life.

"From dreaming of being you as a little girl, then meeting you and then being deeply connected to you by playing the one and only Velma Kelly in 'Chicago. There will never, ever, be anyone like you Chita, ever," she wrote. "Dim the lights on Broadway! Or, may I suggest, we just pull the plug. I love you Chita, sleep tight my Queen."

Lin-Manuel Miranda honors Chita Rivera: 'She was magnificent'

In a statement to People magazine Tuesday, Lin-Manuel Miranda called Rivera "an absolute original." Rivera made a cameo in the 2021 film adaptation of "Tick, Tick… Boom!," which Miranda directed.

"When we filmed the diner scene in 'Tick, Tick..Boom!,' she wasn't available for the shoot dates, so I left a chair empty in the diner for those three days," he added. "The whole shoot, people kept trying to move the chair or clear space and I'd have to say no, we're GOING to get Chita; I don’t know how but we’re going to do it."

He continued: "Eight months later on our reshoots, she joined us and held court all day. It remains one of the all-time joys of my life. She was magnificent. She IS magnificent, not ready for the past tense just yet."

"My heart is with everyone in Chita's galaxy of family and friends," the "Hamilton" creator concluded.

Jason Alexander, Colman Domingo, more stars mourn Chita Rivera

Jason Alexander gushed that Rivera "set the bar in every way" in his X tribute to the actress. Alexander co-starred with Rivera in a 1984 production of the Broadway musical "The Rink."

"This extraordinary woman, the incomparable. Chita Rivera was one of the greatest spirits and colleagues I’ve ever known," Alexander wrote. "I will cherish her always. Dance in heaven, my friend."

"A life well lived. An Icon. A friend. Well done Chita Rivera," Colman Domingo wrote on X.

"Chita Rivera was an authentic Broadway icon - a dazzling actress, singer and dancer," Mia Farrow wrote on X. "No one who was fortunate enough to have seen any of her performances, will ever forget the experience."

Farrow continued: "She gave us so much. Thank you to the magnificent, irreplaceable Chita Rivera."

Broadway musical 'Chicago' dedicates show to Chita Rivera

The official X account for Chicago the Musical dedicated the show's Tuesday performance to Rivera, who played the original Velma Kelly.

"Chita's influence, warmth, and other-worldly talent will inspire us always," the post read.

Rob Marshall, director of the "Chicago" movie, told People magazine in a statement that "we will never see the likes of Chita Rivera again."

"Her blazing talent, divine humor and electric personality literally leapt off the stage and into my heart. I will carry our special friendship, her soaring spirit and passionate soul with me forever," Marshall added.

Paul Rudnick calls Chita Rivera 'a true Broadway legend'

"RIP the great Chita Rivera," playwright Paul Rudnick wrote on X. "From West Side Story to the original production of Chicago to Kiss of the Spiderwoman, she was a true Broadway legend. She always delivered and audiences adored her."

Rudnick continued: "The moment she stepped onstage, the world became more exciting and glorious."

GLAAD recognized Rivera for her allyship to the queer community in its tribute.

"Rivera spent much of her long career advocating for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV and AIDS," the organization wrote on X. "Our hearts go out to everyone who loved her. 💔"

"Rest in peace, dearest #ChitaRivera," Ana Navarro wrote on X. "Thank you for shattering glass-ceilings, blazing trails and opening doors through which so many were able to walk through. And being fabulous through it all."

"Star Trek" actor George Takei, who viewed Rivera's performance in the musical "The Visit," shared a throwback photo of himself and Rivera posing with the sci-fi series' Vulcan salute.

"What a legend on stage. What a force of pure talent and energy," Takei wrote on X. "She will be truly, truly missed. Dance among the stars now, Chita."

Chita Rivera dies:Trailblazing Tony-winning Broadway star of 'West Side Story' was 91

More celebrity deaths:Norman Jewison, Oscar-nominated director of 'Fiddler on the Roof' and 'Moonstruck,' dies at 97

Contributing: Pamela Avila, USA TODAY; Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press