Rita Moreno cannot believe she has come full circle with West Side Story. 

Director Steven Spielberg’s version of the acclaimed musical feature is set to hit theatres Dec. 10. Moreno serves as an executive producer and stars as Valentina. 

In this video, the living Puerto Rican legend talks about working in the new musical movie and meeting actress Ariana DeBose, who plays Anita. Moreno had that role in the original film in 1961, which earned her an Oscar. Moreno turns 90 years old Dec. 11.

The West Side Story movies are adaptations of the Broadway musical hit of the same title that, in turn, was inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Juliet.

Spielberg’s feature is a production of 20th Century Fox, a subdivision of Walt Disney Studios, which also distributes the musical.

Featured Photo: Rita Moreno as Valentina in West Side Story (Photo: 20th Century Fox/Disney)

Check out the video to learn what Moreno has to say.

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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)

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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.

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The highly anticipated reimagining of the Oscar-winning groundbreaking American classic film West Side Story will be opening in theaters on December 10, 2021.

During the Oscars, Sunday night premiered the first official trailer for 20^th Century Studio’s West Side Story. A colorful, visually breathtaking trailer.

Directed by the iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner (Lincoln and Munich), this duo is breathing new life into this interracial interpretation of the timeless Shakespearean tale Romeo and Juliet.

West Side Story was originally a stage play, with music written by one of the influential composers of modern music, Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein was married to the Chilean actress Felicia Montealegre.

In West Side Story, two street gangs (The Jets and The Sharks) in 1950s New York fight for dominance of the though streets of the upper west side. However, issues arise when The Shark’s leader’s Bernardo’s (David Alvarez) sister Maria (Rachael Zelger) falls in love with Tony (Ansel Elgot), a member of The Jets.

The EGOT winning actress Rita Moreno, who was both a part of the main cast and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in the original 1961 West Side Story, will also be appearing in this version of the film as Valentina, a new and original character for the 2021 film.

This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the original West Side Story.

— Written By: Justina Bonilla

— Featured Photo: Disney Studios

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The Directors Guild of America is both a craft union and a Guild that protects the creative and economic rights of film, TV, commercial, and new media directors and their teams. It is the most powerful and richest union in the United States. Its membership is 71% white males. As a Mexican-American director member, I’d like to talk about my complex relationship with one of most prestigious organizations in Hollywood.

I was a sensitive 7-year-old boy who was deeply affected by the movies I saw.  My home was broken. My mom and dad split up when I was a young kid, but I have vivid memories of them together.  I clearly also recall their divorce and many influences that shaped my life after that. The movies played a big role in molding me.  I got lost in the films. Cinema was in my soul. I fantasized of becoming an actor and film director someday.  

My family lived in Boyle Heights.  My dad was a contractor and my mom was a teacher’s aide at LAUSD.  My dad made decent money.  We went places.   Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain were common visits for us. We spent a lot of time all over LA, from Malibu to East LA, visiting the very best of our favorite restaurants — The Velvet Turtle, Barragan’s, The Pantry, Philippe’s and Little Joes in Chinatown. Surf and turf were my fancy; it still is today. My parents taught me confidence. I belonged anywhere I chose to belong. I could become anything if I worked hard enough.  This is how I grew up.  “Positivity,” “equality,”“confidence” were the words that guided me — they still do today. 

I got hooked on drama class in the eighth grade.  By ninth grade I was pursuing my acting career. At 19 I was in a play, Caught in the Middle With No Way Out, at the Harold Clurman Theatre off Broadway in New York.  By 21, I was a star in Angeltown alongside actress Theresa Saldana.  By 27, I wrote, produced, directed and starred in my first film, My Father’s Love.  I believed in myself. Opportunities were as much mine as they were anyone’s. I didn’t know anything different. 

However, for the first time in my life I have come to question my belief in inherent equal opportunities.  After I became a member of the Directors Guild of America, I began to question whether this is a room I belonged in, whether or not I truly stood side by side with fellow members.

The Directors Guild of America, or the DGA as it is commonly known, is a guild for the biggest and most talented directors in the world — film and TV’s very best. In my opinion, you don’t win an Oscar without first winning a DGA award.  In 2013 my dream came true; I became a member after years of hard work paying my dues.  After having had one of my films, Down for Life, accepted into Sundance and world premiered at Toronto in 2009; after winning the Golden Eagle award in 2001 from Nosotros for “Outstanding Independent Filmmaker” for feature My Fathers Love; after multiple film festival wins; after being hired to direct 2nd unit on a feature film (which was signatory to the DGA), I was finally eligible.   

I didn’t hesitate to submit my request for consideration to join.  It wasn’t easy.  In addition to my work, I needed three endorsements from other directors who were current union members. That took time.  But I eventually got it done. I’m still extremely grateful to those who finally signed my endorsement. Thank you to the lone three who supported me.

One of the most momentous days of my life was the day I received my package in the mail from the DGA.  I was accepted!  Now I just had to raise the money to join.  I could make payments. Great.  That was awesome. It was happening! I was now a member of a group composed of the creative greats that I had admired all my life.  Like all the great directors, I would now have a spotlight to show my work.  I was surely going to meet studio heads and showrunners. I was going to meet executives. I was surely going to work on big studio lots as a director, not a PA, not a grip, not a tour guide. 

I wholeheartedly believed I arrived until the reality of being a Latino in the Directors Guild of America set in. I enthusiastically attended all the meetings I could.  First perk, they feed you at every meeting.  Second perk, I was invited to watch the latest movies.  I was beyond excited to meet and see the work of my fellow directors.  On occasion, some of the screenings were followed by a Q and A with the director.  This was the biggest thrill — Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Zemeckis, Bradley Cooper! I could listen and learn from the best. 

However, something was missing. I didn’t hear or see many movies from anyone who looked like me or had a diverse cultural perspective.  I quickly noticed the token diversity when I walked in the rooms and attended events. It is, for the most part, white males, perhaps a couple of Blacks, one or two Asians; I rarely noted anyone who looked like me — Latino. 

My ego got the best of me. I was a rare sight at the DGA because I was different.  I initially rationalized it by telling myself, perhaps I worked harder than other Latinos.  I broke barriers and got myself into the rooms that many Latinos hadn’t yet.  So I was going to make myself known.  I would also crack the door open for other Latinos who need a little support.  Being the proud confident kid from Boyle Heights, was resilient and determined. I was ambitious, full of hope.

I emailed my hero directors. I asked to shadow. I asked to be mentored. I was ignored.  Emails went unanswered. I requested guidance from the DGA executives, board members, western director council members.  How do I join these studio programs for directors that are in collaboration with the DGA?  A white woman, one of the people composing the diversity task force suggested, “Go be a production assistant at Warner Brothers. Go make a short film.”  What? Really? 

I didn’t understand that because I had years of hard work, and had accomplished so much already. I’m a DGA member.  I am an award winner. I’ve made full-length feature films. Did she really believe I should devote more time being a production assistant? 

DGA life was becoming quite clear.  The DGA executives weren’t concerned with how I got there.  Who the hell was I anyway?   I had no ties to greatness.  I had no uncle who was a studio director. I had no well-known industry friends. Therefore, all I was offered was talk, talk, talk.  I was offered, I’m sorry to say, BS programs that I see as more effective to filter out my color.  If I didn’t work within a couple of years in a studio or TV show, I could not even advance within the guild to run for Co-Chair of the Latino Committee.  I wasn’t eligible. This was the real DGA.  No one cares about our stories, not the brown ones, not the Black ones, not the Asian ones, not even women get a fair shake. Statistics continue to show very little has changed.

I approached my first shadow assignment enthusiastically and optimistically.  A “shadow” is where you follow around a TV director on an episodic TV show to learn from them, hopefully make an impression with the showrunner, and hopefully land a directing job down the road. 

This was my honest impression: Day 1 on a DGA sanctioned show, the executive producer was DGA, but I prefer not to identify the show.   As I slowly walked up closer to the monitor to see how the director was setting up the shot, I overheard a white gaffer quietly speaking to the first AD, “Every week we have another Mexican.”  It was not meant for me to hear.   I felt awkward to say the least. 

I began to notice uneasy glances and strained smiles.  What was I doing there? The craft service people and security guards were the ones I sat with to eat. They were Latino and they were very welcoming towards me. Was this the level I had achieved?  Was I really seeing prejudice because I looked different from those around me?

The motion picture studios send their VPs and executives to speak at the DGA membership. These are the so-called diversity events. The panelists don’t know us. Aside from valet parking attendants and the cooks in the kitchen, many in the film industry from the west side of town, including executives at the DGA, seem to have a limited understanding of Latinos.  I was literally handed the keys to a car at the DGA parking garage.  The gentleman was embarrassed when he realized I was a member and not his valet. This lack of understanding is reflected in the way I’ve been treated.  

What I want from the DGA is an honest discussion.  

Past Presidents have all told me things are going to get better. Well they haven’t. I’m not calling anyone out. These men are friendly, caring and supportive leaders. But that’s not enough.  I believe there is, like in many organizations in our country, institutional and systemic racism in the DGA.  All we have to do is look at the statistics.  Many top DGA members have gone on to become producing directors, showrunners, and executive producers on film and TV shows that have horrible track records when it comes to hiring people of color.  Statistics don’t lie.  

But there is an obvious and urgent need to speak out, so I’m taking a chance. I have questions for the DGA. How many Latino directors have been hired from participating in their diversity initiatives? There are almost 60 million Hispanics in the United States. Does the Hollywood DGA elite recognize that working Latino directors are less than 3% in mainstream movies and television?  Perhaps I’ll be further alienated just for asking these questions. 

Is the DGA willing to set effective programs that will give diverse members a fair shot? Does the DGA sincerely want to offer equal opportunities to people of color?  What true success has come from the diversity committees set up by the DGA? If these committees were effective at what they were formed to accomplish, at some point wouldn’t there be no need for these committees?  

The protests across the United States are an indication that American people value diversity. This movement is also supported around the world as we watch the Black Lives Matter movement resonate around the world.  

The movie industry touches hearts and minds globally.  The DGA can choose to welcome and celebrate the various colors, cultures, and genders which are more reflective of our country.  We could use the collective bargaining agreement we sign every couple of years with major motion picture studios to bring real change and opportunity to all people of color.  

DGA members of color have worked hard to become members.  We earned our right at a fair chance.  

There has never been a better time to bring our the hard-uncomfortable truths to light.  My story is just one of dozens that should be heard.  My work so far hasn’t stemmed from any DGA programs, it’s been coming from relentless persistence and belief in myself.  Regardless of how difficult it has been, I have no doubt I belong in the room. I have hope. I still believe what my parents instilled in me — I can do anything and I belong anywhere.  

We are equal. It’s long overdue. It’s time for true real change! 

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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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