has had a long career both on and Off Broadway, and she is best known for originating the role of The Girl in the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Her Broadway credits include A FAMILY AFFAIR, BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS, 1776, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS, and THE WEDDING SINGER. Her Off-Broadway credits include JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL . . .,STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and WINGS. Other theatrical credits include A.R. Gurney's THE SNOWBALL, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE, GINGERBREAD LADY,and SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. She has performed at the GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE, FORD'S THEATRE in Washington, D.C., and New York City's Connelly Theatre, among other celebrated venues, as well as in the National tour of KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN. Film credits include MR. GIBBS, SUPER HEROES, P.S. I LOVE YOU (with Hillary Swank), and most recently, TIGER LILY ROAD - due to be released some time this Fall. Television work includes roles on GUIDING LIGHT, and on each version of LAW AND ORDER . Rita’s one-woman show,TRY TO REMEMBER : A LOOK BACK AT OFF-BROADWAY, has concert bookings and master classes at universities, cabarets, and theatres throughout the country. A CD of that show is available on Amazon.com.