Another first look from the adaptation of the original Broadway hit is here and we’re excited! This time, we get to see actress Ariana DeBose’s transformation into Anita from the classic musical, which explores love and rivalry in 1957 New York.

Playing the part of Anita in the 1961 classic was Rita Moreno, who won a best-supporting actress Oscar for the role. Moreno is also part of the remake and is set to play Valentina. She is also executive producing the film.

The cast also includes Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (Maria); Ana Isabelle (Rosalia); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Curtiss Cook (Abe). 

The forthcoming West Side Story feature is produced and directed by Steven Spielberg from a script by award-winning playwright Tony Kushner. Tony Award-winner Justin Peck will choreograph and conductor Gustavo Dudamel will helm the recording of Leonard Bernstein’s iconic score from a score arranged by composer and conductor David Newman.

The highly anticipated remake is scheduled for a December 2020 release. 

The post “West Side Story” Releases Anita’s First Look From Reboot appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

West Side Story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story, in which Tony, a former member of the Jets gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of a rival Puerto Rican gang. According to Deadline, Rita Moreno will play the character of Valentina in the remake, which serves as a reimagined version of Doc, owner of the store in which Tony works.

Moreno is only the second announced cast member of the West Side Story remake, which will begin filming in summer of 2019, with Ansel Elgort previously joining the project as Tony.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work,” said Moreno in a statement. “And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling! Then to work together with the brilliant playwright, Tony Kushner — what a glorious stew! I am tingling!”

“From our earliest discussions, we wanted to include Rita Moreno in our production,” added director Steven Spielberg. “Her Anita is one of the greatest musical performances ever filmed, and a personal favorite of mine. We created an original role for her, and we feel beyond fortunate that Rita will bring her extraordinary gifts as an actress, as well as her deep understanding of West Side Story to this production as an executive producer.”

Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, the original West Side Story was released in 1961, receiving praise from both the critics and the audience. The movie ended up receiving 11 Academy Awards nominations, winning 10 of them including the one for Best Picture.

After West Side Story, Rita Moreno went on to star in numerous high profile projects including The Night of the Following Day, Marlowe, The Ritz, and The Four Seasons. She also had roles in several television projects, including 9 to 5, Oz, Law & Order and most recently One Day at a Time.

The post Rita Moreno Joins Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Remake appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

Another first look from the adaptation of the original Broadway hit is here and we’re excited! This time, we get to see actress Ariana DeBose’s transformation into Anita from the classic musical, which explores love and rivalry in 1957 New York.

Playing the part of Anita in the 1961 classic was Rita Moreno, who won a best-supporting actress Oscar for the role. Moreno is also part of the remake and is set to play Valentina. She is also executive producing the film.

The cast also includes Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (Maria); Ana Isabelle (Rosalia); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Curtiss Cook (Abe). 

The forthcoming West Side Story feature is produced and directed by Steven Spielberg from a script by award-winning playwright Tony Kushner. Tony Award-winner Justin Peck will choreograph and conductor Gustavo Dudamel will helm the recording of Leonard Bernstein’s iconic score from a score arranged by composer and conductor David Newman.

The highly anticipated remake is scheduled for a December 2020 release. 

The post “West Side Story” Releases Anita’s First Look From Reboot appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

West Side Story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story, in which Tony, a former member of the Jets gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of a rival Puerto Rican gang. According to Deadline, Rita Moreno will play the character of Valentina in the remake, which serves as a reimagined version of Doc, owner of the store in which Tony works.

Moreno is only the second announced cast member of the West Side Story remake, which will begin filming in summer of 2019, with Ansel Elgort previously joining the project as Tony.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work,” said Moreno in a statement. “And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling! Then to work together with the brilliant playwright, Tony Kushner — what a glorious stew! I am tingling!”

“From our earliest discussions, we wanted to include Rita Moreno in our production,” added director Steven Spielberg. “Her Anita is one of the greatest musical performances ever filmed, and a personal favorite of mine. We created an original role for her, and we feel beyond fortunate that Rita will bring her extraordinary gifts as an actress, as well as her deep understanding of West Side Story to this production as an executive producer.”

Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, the original West Side Story was released in 1961, receiving praise from both the critics and the audience. The movie ended up receiving 11 Academy Awards nominations, winning 10 of them including the one for Best Picture.

After West Side Story, Rita Moreno went on to star in numerous high profile projects including The Night of the Following Day, Marlowe, The Ritz, and The Four Seasons. She also had roles in several television projects, including 9 to 5, Oz, Law & Order and most recently One Day at a Time.

The post Rita Moreno Joins Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Remake appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.