West Side Story star Rita Moreno, 89, wears a shimmering black gown as she returns to the red carpet for Steven Spielberg’s musical remake… 60 years after winning an Oscar in 1961 original
Rita Moreno returned to the red carpet for the premiere of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake on Monday evening, 60-years after starring in the original.
The celebrated actress joined a comparatively new crop of stars for the event in New York City, with the film already being lauded as a potential Oscar-contender.
Rita, 89, has the rare honour of starring in Robert Wise’s original 1961 classic based on the iconic Broadway musical, as well as Spielberg’s faithful rendering of the much loved classic.
But while she won as Oscar for her role as youthful Anita first time round, she returns as new character Valentina in the forthcoming remake – an effort on the director’s part to acknowledge the original source material by incorporating one of its biggest stars.
High glamour: Rita Moreno returned to the red carpet for the premiere of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake on Monday evening, 60-years after starring in the original
Then and now: Rita won an Oscar for her role as Maria in the 1961 original (left), but plays new character Valentina in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake (right)
Opting for a sweeping black evening gown, Rita shimmered beneath the auditorium lights as she posed for photos after making her way inside the Big Apple’s Rose Theater.
The actress was accompanied by principal stars Angel Elsort, who plays Tony, and Rachel Zegler – who takes the lead as Maria, a role taken by the late Natalie Wood in Wise’s 1961 version.
Zegler beat 30,000 hopefuls for the role of Maria, making her feature film debut in the iconic role.
Looking good: Opting for a sweeping black evening gown, Rita shimmered beneath the auditorium lights as she posed for photos after making her way inside the Big Apple’s Rose Theater
West Side Story is an adaptation of the iconic 1957 musical by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and the late Stephen Sondheim, who passed away over the weekend at 91 years of age.
Rita paid tribute to the composer after hearing if his death, saying it was a “privilege” to have worked alongside him.
She said: ‘I feel privileged to have been in the same generation as he. To be here, to hear them in person, as they were written. That is a huge privilege. I’m so glad he was able to attend our recording sessions when we were doing the movie.’
Wow: The story is set in 1950s New York City – loosely adapted from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – with one girl named Maria caught between two gangs – the Jets and the Sharks
Side by side: Rita with director Steven Spielberg, whose remake is already being lauded by critics as an Oscar-contender
Close: Rita and co-star Kristie Macosko embraced on the red carpet
Tony Award-winner Rita also revealed that her expertise led to director Steven Spielberg giving her an additional credit as executive producer.
She told Entertainment Tonight: ‘The reason I got credit for executive producer was that he was taking everything that he needed and I was there to help out. I have opinions and some are not always greeted with enthusiasm but that’s what producers do. It’s an amazing experience.’
She also became a mentor to the younger cast, notably newcomer Rachel Zegler and Hamilton star Ariana DeBose, who steps into Rita’s dancing shoes as Anita.
Fico: Fico Cangiango wrote, ‘Steven Spielberg’sn#WestSideStory is stunning. His first musical is without a doubt superior to the 1961 film. The cinematography, music and dancing are amazing, and most importantly, it treats Puerto Ricans & Latinx community with the respect they deserve. Spielberg delivers’
Crush: Fandango’s Erik Davis added, ‘Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a TRIUMPH! It’s beautiful & brilliantly photographed – a real love letter to NYC w/ a tremendous ensemble cast who truly redefine this classic story for a new generation. Shout outs to @rachelzegler & @ArianaDeBose who CRUSH it in this film
No disappointment: Yahoo’s Kevin Polowy added, ‘Spielberg does not disappoint with #WestSideStory. OK maybe not as much dance-fighting this time, but sets a mood from the opening moments and delivers all the way through that gut-punching climax. “America” is the easy highlight but man Rachel Zegler is magnetic in every scene’
Rita added: ‘What was lovely, soon after I joined the cast … I used to see them trail in at lunchtime and say, ‘Can you tell me what happened when … Who said what?’ I loved it. I felt like Mami. [It was] just lovely! I loved that they were interested.’
The story is set in 1950s New York City – loosely adapted from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – with one girl named Maria caught between two gangs – the Jets and the Sharks.
Her brother Bernardo (David Alvarez) is the leader of the Latinx gang the Sharks, though she has fallen for Tony (Elgort), a member of the white gang, the Jets.
Incredible: Discussing Film’s Diego Andaluz stated, ‘#WestSideStory is INCREDIBLE. Spielberg delivers an award-worthy visual spectacle that expands on the original as a timely technical MASTERPIECE. Every department fires on all cylinders, & Rachel Zegler steals the show with THE star-making debut performance of the year. LOVED IT!’
Masterpiece: Disney’s Marshall Weinbaum added, ‘Sending thoughts and prayers to all the Oscar Pundits out there who will be spending the next several hours updating their predictions now that they’ve seen Steven Spielberg’s absolute masterpiece #WestSideStory’
Surprise: Film Inquiry’s Kevin L. Lee added, ‘Surprise surprise! #WestSideStory is really good, featuring some breathtaking choreography elevated by the cinematography and production design. Everyone in the cast is great, but the real standouts are Mike Faist and David Alvarez as Riff and Bernardo. Yeah, THIS is a musical!’
Buzz: BuzzFeed’s Nora Dominick stated, ‘My #WestSideStory review is simply: I can’t wait to see Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose’s careers explode after this. They knock it out of the park as Maria and Anita in this beautiful crafted movie’
After the New York premiere and another screening in Los Angeles, reactions started to filter in through Twitter about the musical, with many simply raving about it.
Fico Cangiango wrote, ‘Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is stunning. His first musical is without a doubt superior to the 1961 film. The cinematography, music and dancing are amazing, and most importantly, it treats Puerto Ricans & Latinx community with the respect they deserve. Spielberg delivers.’
Fandango’s Erik Davis added, ‘Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a TRIUMPH! It’s beautiful & brilliantly photographed – a real love letter to NYC w/ a tremendous ensemble cast who truly redefine this classic story for a new generation. Shout outs to @rachelzegler & @ArianaDeBose who CRUSH it in this film.
Incredible: Rita was mesmerising as the youthful Maria in the original screen rendering of the iconic Broadway musical
Ariana in white: Ariana DeBose stuns in a custom lacy white floral dress from the Michael Kors Collection at the West Side Story premiere
Blast: @camden28_ added, ‘#WestSideStory is a blast, even better than the 1961 film. Steven Spielberg has done something really special with his adaptation of the beloved musical. As for me, Rachel Zegler has earned herself a huge fan, delivering a fantastic film debut as Maria’
Masterpiece: @@xoxocorthenley added, ‘OMG #WestSideStory is a MASTERPIECE! I was anti a remake because the original is one of my favs ever! But this was better than the original by a long shot! Production design and shots gave me goosebumps. And the kid who plays Riff is Oscar worthy! I want to see it again & again!’
Classic: Anthony Gagliardi stated, ‘Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory does an outstanding job paying homage to the timeless classic from its authentic set designs to its incredible dance sequences and performances. This is one of the most beautifully shot films of the year’
Stuning: BroBible’s Eric Italiano revealed, ‘I am very much not a musical guy, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of #WestSideStory. I do, however, know what a movie star looks and @rachelzegler is absolutely that. She is *ridiculous*. More so than her massive voice, her ability to act with her eyes was stunning’
Yahoo’s Kevin Polowy added, ‘Spielberg does not disappoint with #WestSideStory. OK maybe not as much dance-fighting this time, but sets a mood from the opening moments and delivers all the way through that gut-punching climax. “America” is the easy highlight but man Rachel Zegler is magnetic in every scene.’
Discussing Film’s Diego Andaluz stated, ‘#WestSideStory is INCREDIBLE. Spielberg delivers an award-worthy visual spectacle that expands on the original as a timely technical MASTERPIECE. Every department fires on all cylinders, & Rachel Zegler steals the show with THE star-making debut performance of the year. LOVED IT!’
Disney’s Marshall Weinbaum added, ‘Sending thoughts and prayers to all the Oscar Pundits out there who will be spending the next several hours updating their predictions now that they’ve seen Steven Spielberg’s absolute masterpiece #WestSideStory.’
Triumph: Washington Post’s Thomas Floyd tweeted, ‘Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a triumph. It’s less stylized, but more grounded, more brutal and more interested in the consequences of the carnage. Kushner’s script imbues its characters with depth, and paints a striking picture of how gentrification fuels tribalism’
Bow: @TheJosieMarie added, ‘#WestSideStory is Steven Spielberg’s attempt at his own La La Land wonder. The film acts as an eraser for all the wrongdoing of the one that came before it. Some things felt genuine while others felt tied with a bow’
Standout: @atomiracle stated, ‘#WestSideStory was incredible wow Steven Spielberg perfectly balanced the magic of the original while building off of it and presenting new ideas. @rachelzegler was obviously the standout she brought Maria to life in a way we’ve never seen before’
Corey and Nadia: Corey Stoll, who plays Lieutenant Schrank in the film, also hit the red carpet with his wife, Nadia Bowers
Film Inquiry’s Kevin L. Lee added, ‘Surprise surprise! #WestSideStory is really good, featuring some breathtaking choreography elevated by the cinematography and production design. Everyone in the cast is great, but the real standouts are Mike Faist and David Alvarez as Riff and Bernardo. Yeah, THIS is a musical!’
BuzzFeed’s Nora Dominick stated, ‘My #WestSideStory review is simply: I can’t wait to see Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose’s careers explode after this. They knock it out of the park as Maria and Anita in this beautiful crafted movie.’
@camden28_ added, ‘#WestSideStory is a blast, even better than the 1961 film. Steven Spielberg has done something really special with his adaptation of the beloved musical. As for me, Rachel Zegler has earned herself a huge fan, delivering a fantastic film debut as Maria.’
@@xoxocorthenley added, ‘OMG #WestSideStory is a MASTERPIECE! I was anti a remake because the original is one of my favs ever! But this was better than the original by a long shot! Production design and shots gave me goosebumps. And the kid who plays Riff is Oscar worthy! I want to see it again & again!’
Anthony Gagliardi stated, ‘Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory does an outstanding job paying homage to the timeless classic from its authentic set designs to its incredible dance sequences and performances. This is one of the most beautifully shot films of the year.’
Group shot: (L-R) Ansel Elgort, Corey Stoll, Rachel Zegler, Josh Andres Rivera, Steven Spielberg, Justin Peck, Mike Faist, Rita Moreno, Brian d’Arcy James, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Kevin McCollum, Kristie Macosko Krieger, and Tony Kushner
Tragic: West Side Story is an adaptation of the iconic 1957 musical by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and the late Stephen Sondheim (pictured), who passed away over the weekend at 91 years of age
BroBible’s Eric Italiano revealed, ‘I am very much not a musical guy, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of #WestSideStory. I do, however, know what a movie star looks and @rachelzegler is absolutely that. She is *ridiculous*. More so than her massive voice, her ability to act with her eyes was stunning.’
Washington Post’s Thomas Floyd tweeted, ‘Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a triumph. It’s less stylized, but more grounded, more brutal and more interested in the consequences of the carnage. Kushner’s script imbues its characters with depth, and paints a striking picture of how gentrification fuels tribalism.’
@TheJosieMarie added, ‘#WestSideStory is Steven Spielberg’s attempt at his own La La Land wonder. The film acts as an eraser for all the wrongdoing of the one that came before it. Some things felt genuine while others felt tied with a bow.’
@atomiracle stated, ‘#WestSideStory was incredible wow Steven Spielberg perfectly balanced the magic of the original while building off of it and presenting new ideas. @rachelzegler was obviously the standout she brought Maria to life in a way we’ve never seen before.’
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