Netflix’s tick, tick…BOOM! and 20th Century Fox’s West Side Story, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Steven Spielberg, respectively, vie for the honor in two categories, Best Picture Drama and Best Picture-Musical/Comedy. tick, tick…BOOM!, a semi-biographical musical drama about a relatively young promising theater composer navigating romance, friendship and life’s challenges in New York City, marked the directorial debut of Miranda, the creator of the acclaimed stage musical Hamilton.

On the other hand, Spielberg’s new version of West Side Story features a sizable Latino cast portraying the musical film’s Puerto Rican characters–a welcome correction of the original 1961 movie. In fact, the 2021 film female lead, Zegler in the role of Maria, is also nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Actress-Motion Picture-Musical/Comedy category. A newcomer to Hollywood, Zegler competes against established stars Marion Cotillard (Annette), Jennifer Lawrence (Don’t Look Up) and Emma Stone (Cruella) and the also newcomer Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza).

In both the Best Picture Drama and Best Picture-Musical/Comedy categories, tick, tick…BOOM! and West Side Story face Cyrano, Don’t Look Up and Licorice Pizza. 

Spanish actor Bardem is among the five candidates vying for the award for Best Actor-Motion Picture Drama for his role in the Amazon Original Movie Being the Ricardos, the Aaron Sorkin drama about the Hollywood power couple Dezi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Bardem, a Golden Globe and Oscar winner, faces Mahershala Ali (Swan Song), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Will Smith (King Richard) and Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth). As a side note, Being the Ricardos also won Sorkin a nod for Best Screenplay-Motion Picture and a nom for Nicole Kidman for Best Actress-Motion Picture for her lead as Ball.

With Latinos shining in two film adaptations of Broadway musicals, it isn’t surprising to see other Latinos competing in additional Golden Globe categories. 

Ramos is a nominee for In the Heights in Best Actor-Motion Picture-Musical/Comedy. Set in New York’s largely Dominican community of Washington Heights, the musical is written by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Miranda and directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians). Ramos’s competition includes Leonardo DiCaprio (Don’t Look Up), Peter Dinklage (Cyrano), Andrew Garfield (tick, tick…BOOM!), and Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza).

For her part, Ariana DeBose is a candidate in Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture for her role of Anita in West Side Story–that’s the role played by Rita Moreno in the 1961 musical feature that won her both a Golden Globe and an Oscar. The other candidates in DeBose’s category are Caitriona Balfe (Belfast), Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) and Ruth Negga (Passing).

Another two Latino actors vying for Golden Globes are Oscar Issac and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.

Issac is nominated for Best Actor-Television Motion Picture for his role in HBO Max’s Scenes From a Marriage while Rodriguez got a nod for Best Television Actress-Drama Series for her role in FX’s Pose.

Two films with Latino connections compete in the Best Picture-Animated category. Disney’s Encanto is set in a fantastical Colombia and stars Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero and John Leguizamo. The movie is directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith, all of whom also share writing credits. The other film, Raya and the Last Dragon, is helmed by Mexican director Carlos López Estrada along with Don Hall and Paul Briggs. 

In the category of Best Picture-Non-English Language, the Spanish film Madres Paralelas by Pedro Almodóvar faces Compartment No. 6, a co-production of Germany, Russia and Finland; Drive My Car from Japan; The Hand of God, from Italy; and A Hero, a co-production of Iran and France. This is Almodóvar’s 11th Golden Globe nomination, winning on two occasions–for Pain and Glory in 2019 and All About My Mother in 1999.

Both Encanto and Madres Paralelas also earned a nomination for their respective film composers, Texas’ Germaine Franco and Spain’s Alberto Iglesias. Additionally, Encanto’s theme song “Dos Oruguitas” got a nod for Best Song Motion Picture. “Dos Oruguitas” is written by Miranda and performed by Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra.

The Golden Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The 79th awards ceremony will be held Jan. 9.

(See complete list of nominees below the video)

Featured Photos: Javier Bardem (Photo: Carlos Delgado/Wikipedia), Rachel Zegler (Photo: Courtesy, self), Anthony Ramos (Photo: Courtesy, self)

GOLDEN GLOBES 2022
Complete list of nominees

Best Picture Drama
CyranoDon’t Look Up
Licorice Pizza
tick, tick…BOOM!
West Side Story

Best Picture – Musical/Comedy
Cyrano
Don’t Look Up
Licorice Pizza
tick, tick…BOOM!
West Side Story 

Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Lady Gaga, House of Gucci
Kristen Stewart, Spencer

Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Mahershala Ali, Swan Song
Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog 
Will Smith, King Richard
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth

Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy
Marion Cotillard, Annette
Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza
Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up
Emma Stone, Cruella
Rachel Zegler, West Side Story

Best Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy
Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up
Peter Dinklage, Cyrano
Andrew Garfield, tick, tick…BOOM!
Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza
Anthony Ramos, In the Heights

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Caitriona Balfe, Belfast
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard
Ruth Negga, Passing

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Ben Affleck, The Tender Bar
Jamie Dornan, Belfast
Ciarán Hinds, Belfast
Troy Kotsur, CODA
Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog

Best Director Motion Picture
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter
Steven Spielberg, West Side Story 
Denis Villeneuve, Dune

Best Screenplay Motion Picture
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog 
Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up
Aaron Sorkin, Being the Ricardos

Best Picture – Animated
Encanto 
Flee
Luca
My Sunny Maad
Raya and the Last Dragon

Best Picture – Non-English Language (formerly Foreign Language)
Compartment No. 6, Germany, Russia and Finland
Drive My Car, Japan
The Hand of God, Italy
A Hero, Iran and France
Parallel Mothers, Spain

Best Score Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat, The French Dispatch
Germaine Franco, Encanto
Jonny Greenwood, The Power of the Dog
Alberto Iglesias, Parallel Mothers
Hans Zimmer, Dune

Best Song Motion Picture
King Richard, “Be Alive”
Encanto, “Dos Oruguitas”
Belfast, “Down to Joy”
Respect, “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”
No Time To Die, “No Time To Die”

Best Drama Series
Lupin
The Morning Show
Pose
Squid Game
Succession

Best Musical/Comedy Series
The Great
Hacks
Only Murders in the Building
Reservation Dogs
Ted Lasso

Best Television Motion Picture
Dopesick
Impeachment: American Crime Story
Maid
Mare of Easttown
The Underground Railroad

Best Actress – Television Motion Picture
Jessica Chastain, Scenes from a Marriage 
Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha
Elizabeth Olsen, Wandavision
Margaret Qualley, Maid
Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown

Best Actor – Television Motion Picture
Paul Bettany, Wandavision
Oscar Isaac, Scenes from a Marriage 
Michael Keaton, Dopesick
Ewan McGregor, Halston
Tahar Rahim, The Serpent

Best Television Actress – Drama Series
Uzo Aduba, In Treatment
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Christine Baranski, The Good Fight
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Pose

Best Television Actor – Drama Series
Brian Cox, Succession
Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
Omar Sy, Lupin

Best Television Actress – Musical/Comedy Series
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Elle Fanning, The Great 
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
Jean Smart, Hacks

Best Television Actor – Musical/Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Nicholas Hoult, The Great
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Best Supporting Actress – Television
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus 
Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick
Andie MacDowell, Maid
Sarah Snook, Succession
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Best Supporting Actor – Television
Billy Crudup, The Morning Show 
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Mark Duplass, The Morning Show 
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
O Yeong-su, Squid Game

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The new West Side Story is Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg’s version, some call it “reimagining,” of the 1961 multiple Academy Award-winning musical film that was an adaptation of the Broadway musical hit of the same title–which in turn was inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Juliet.

Check out the video of the world premiere featuring the film’s stars, including Latinos like Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez sharing the spotlight with Spielberg and Moreno, who is also an executive producer of the feature. The film is a production of 20th Century Fox, a subdivision of Walt Disney Studios which is also distributing the musical.

Featured Photo: Screenshot of video of West Side Story’s world premiere (Photo: 20th Century Fox/Disney)

The post VIDEO: ‘West Side Story’ Premieres in New York first appeared on .

There has been much written and discussed about the upcoming Steven Spielberg film adaptation of the musical West Side Story. The Walt Disney Company released the new “sneak peek” of the film this morning, adding fuel to the anticipation of this film by so many. 

One thing is certain, for the most part, everyone is awaiting the release of this film for many reasons. For some, it’s the nostalgia of having watched the 1961 film, which Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise directed back in the ’60s. For others, it’s a chance to finally see more Latinos in the lead roles they were not allowed to play in the original film production. And for others, it is the “come full circle” for the revered actress Rita Moreno who starred and won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the original film. Fast forward and she now has a pivotal role in the new adaptation while taking on a new role as one of the executive producers.

One thing is for sure, we all await the release of West Side Story in the U.S. theaters on December 10, 2021. Expectations are high.

 The film stars, Rachel Zegler, a virtually unknown actress who will be making her feature film debut in West Side Story and Ansel Elgort, with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Corey Stoll, and Brian d’Arcy James. Choreography is by Justin Peck.

Starring as Maria, the female lead in the film is Zegler in her feature film debut. She is a singer and songwriter, raised in New Jersey with her dad and Colombian mother. She landed the role beating 30,000 persons auditioning. She plays opposite Elgort who plays Tony. They lead a cast of many hundreds. Quite a leap for Zegler, however she first played the role of Maria in a Performing Arts School presentation at Bergen Performing Arts Center.

West Side Story is one of the most beloved musical romantic dramas. The film, which is also co-produced by Spielberg, is written by Tony Kushner, who is also one of the executive producers.

The film went into development in 2014 at 20th Century Fox, and Kushner began writing the screenplay by 2017. Spielberg came on board in 2018, and casting began late that year. The filming began in July 2019 with the shoot taking place in New York and New Jersey. The production just missed running into having to film during Covid 19. However, the release was affected, with the release date having been pushed back to, finally, December 10.

The post It’s Here! Sneek Peek of Spielberg’s”West Side Story” first appeared on .

Steven Spielberg’s musical version starts filming in June 2019 with a release date of December 18, 2020!

By Elia Esparza

One of the first films I saw that truly tugged at my heartstrings and filled me with excitement about the magic of movies, was the 1961 classic West Side Story. I can still remember one October Sunday sitting in the Vogue Theater in Chula Vista, California, a third-grader totally captivated. It wasn’t just the music… the gorgeous actors who could sing and dance but what really grabbed me were the characters of Maria, Anita, Bernardo, and Chino. They represented and looked like me. And, yes, for the first time in my little girl mind, “I felt pretty.”

No doubt about it, West Side Story is part of the fabric of many of our childhoods and for me, it was also a coming-of-age.

After the movie, my mother and I drove home and I could barely contain my happiness. I blurted out, “I want to do that.” She looked at me funny and asked, “Do what?” And, I answered, “Make movie magic.”

My mother was still confused. “I don’t think you have a voice to sing, I’ve heard you in the chorus… maybe you could be an actress.”

“No, mami, I want to work where they make movies.” My mom just chuckled and said, “Well, let’s worry about tonight’s dinner and let’s see how life goes for you.” But because my mom was a movie addict, I believe she was thrilled for me.

The impact that West Side Story had never ever left me. I loved acting in plays but television and films terrified me. As for singing, God knows I can’t hold a tune… I’m scary at Karaoke, but I did discover a passion for writing, which started after I watched West Side Story. I became a journal writing devotee and a lot of my allowance earnings were spent on movie star magazines, buying 45 rpm records, and going to the Vogue Theater, which was almost every weekend since my parents would drop us kids off as they headed to Tijuana’s famous Aguascaliente Racetrack.

As the editor for Latin Heat, I understand and respect the criticism of casting a non-Latina in the title role of Maria in the original WSS. But to the little girl in me, I only saw the essence of a beautiful dark-haired girl who I wanted to grow up to be. And, Anita, well in her, I knew even at that young age, that she truly represented my entire family, and I have idolized Rita Moreno ever since. That’s the power of movies.

For the millennial readers who may not be as updated on the original WSS, it is a film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. It is about a forbidden love affair that leads the vicious rivalry of two street gangs– the Jets and the Sharks.

I searched high and low to bring you latest on Steven Spielberg‘s remake of my all-time favorite movie, who we understand is basing his film on the 1957 Broadway play more so than the film.

The remake will be directed by Spielberg, with the script adapted by Tony Award winner Tony Kushner (Lincoln), and based on Arthur Laurents’ book. West Side Story represents the first musical project that Spielberg will add to his brilliant career.

The Principal Cast
Rachel Zegler, 17-year-old, Colombian-American, has been cast as Maria. She is a singer/songwriter newbie that hails from New Jersey and beat out 30,000 vying for the role. Check out the Inside Edition interview I found on YouTube. She’s good.

Ansel Elgort (The Baby Driver, Fault in Our Stars), will play opposite Zegler as Tony, her beloved. While performing in many musical classics on stage, this is the first feature film musical for the actor.

David Alvarez (Billy Elliot: The Musical), will portray Bernardo, the Sharks leader, Maria’s older brother and Anita’s boyfriend. He won a Tony for his role in Billy Elliot. Alvarez’s parents immigrated from Cuba, knowing no English, only driven by the hope of a better life.

Ariana deBose (Hamilton, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), is taking on the role of Anita — originally Chita Rivera onstage and immortalized by Rita Moreno onscreen. Her Broadway credits include “Hamilton”, “A Bronx Tale: The Musical,” “Pippin,” “Motown: The Musical,” and “Bring It On: The Musical.”

Josh Andrés Rivera (Hamilton national tour) has been cast as Chino, a Shark, and Bernardo’s choice to court Maria.

Jamila Velasquez (Empire, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), the South Bronx singer and actress has been cast as Meche.

Mike Faist, the Tony-nominated for his role of Connor Murphy in “Dear Hansen,” will portray Riff, leader of the Jets and Tony’s best friend. Broadway dancer Paloma Garcia-Lee will appear as Riff’s girlfriend.

Brian d’Arcy James (13 Reasons Why) has been cast as Sergeant Krupke the former Officer Krupke, the racist cop who patrols the territory of the dueling Jets and Sharks. He is a three-time Tony nominee and originated the role of King George in Hamilton during its world premiere at The Public Theater.

The Singers and Dancers

Spielberg didn’t just look to Broadway to round out his cast of singers and dancers, but opened wide his auditions and cast Ana Isabella, a Puerto Rican singer, and dancer to portray Rosalia, one of the Sharks’ girls who sings in numbers like “America” and “I Feel Pretty”.

The full company of Sharks includes: David Aviles Morales, Yesenia Ayala, María Alejandra Castillo, Annelise Cepero, Andrei Chagas, Jeanette Delgado, Kelvin Delgado, Gaby Diaz, Yurel Echezarreta, Adriel Flete, Carlos E. Gonzalez, David Guzman, Jacob Guzman, Ana Isabelle, Melody Martí, Ilda Mason, Juliette Feliciano Ortiz, Edriz E. Rosa Pérez, Maria Alexis Rodriguez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Carlos Sánchez Falú, Sebastian Serra , Gabriela Soto, Ricky Ubeda, Tanairi Vazquez, Jamila Velazquez, Isabella Ward and Ricardo Zayas.

According to choreographer Justin Peck‘s statement, “One of our largest priorities was to find a caliber of triple-threats who could bring this film to life with great proficiency. West Side Story has influenced generations of dancers since its inception, and I am thrilled that we have found this extraordinary group to bring our new vision for the musical to the big screen.”

“I am in awe of the sheer force of the talent of these young performers, and I believe they’ll bring new and electrifying energy to a magnificent musical that’s more relevant than ever.” — Stephen Spielberg

Although Rita Moreno, at first wasn’t too keen on working on Spielberg’s film, she eventually came around, I mean it was too good an offer to pass up because she was also offered to come on board as executive producer on this remake. She will portray Valentina, a “reconceived and expanded” version of the original character of Doc, the owner of the corner store where Tony works. She is unforgettable as Anita in the 1961 movie, her electrifying energy won her an Academy Award. And, to date, she is an icon that has won every industry award available. Check out this official movie clip from YouTube of Moreno in her most famous movie dance scene:

In an industry interview, Speilberg stated, “When we began this process a year ago, we announced that we would cast the roles of Maria, Anita, Bernardo, Chino and the Sharks with Latina and Latino actors. I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community.”

The Soundtrack
The original soundtrack was composed by the late Leonard Bernstein and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim contains the timeless songs of “Maria”, “Tonight”, “America”, “Somewhere”, “I Feel Pretty”, and “Gee Officer Krupke.” These songs have become a part of the cultural fabric of our nation. “America” is an unforgettable scene and one that is seared in many of our hearts forever. It represents why my mother came to America.

According to the latest buzz, the remake is expected to include all of the original Bernstein songs, as well as some of the iconic dance numbers from the original film. The score will be conducted by the incredible Venezuelan-born Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the L.A. Philharmonic. And, how appropriate it is him the chosen music genius because he is after all the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society from the Longy School of Music.

The Remake Release Date
West Side Story is set for FOX release on December 18, 2020.

2019 Summer
As principal filming starts, the original West Side Story is returning to movie theaters for two days only as part of Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies’ TCM Big Screen Classics series with an introduction from TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. In select theaters on June 24th and 27th at 2 P.M. and 7 P.M. local both days.

Despite the magnitude of attempting to recreate a classic, it is appropriate that a current American pop culture legend, Steven Spielberg has tackled it on and is infusing the remake with a new life and hope it will resonate.

When it came to moving forward on this project, Spielberg left no stone unturned. Via his Amblin Entertainment company, casting director Cindy Tolan had her job cut out for her. She looked at more than 30,000 performers, making this Spielberg’s broadest casting search since his 1993 Schindler’s List. Producing are Kevin McCollum, and Kristie Macosko Krieger.

Will Spielberg’s version measure up to the original and make it relevant to our current politically challenging times? I hope so. As the ultimate optimist, I’m vying for the promise of progress.

Rachel Zegler is repped by 42West (Publicist). Ansel Elgort is repped by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Brookside Artist Management, and Rogers & Cowan (Publicist. Ariana deBose is repped by Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty (CESD), AC Management, and 42West (Publicist). David Alvarez is repped by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Josh Andres Rivera is repped by DDO Artists Agency.

The October 28, 1961West Side Story cast:
Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn, Ned Glass, Tucker Smith
Director: Robert Wise
Screenwriter: Jerome Robbins

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