New 'West Side Story' Brings Pizzazz to Social Commentary

By: Nicholas Ruhrkraut | December 10th, 2021

- 'West Side Story'review Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (María); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works). Moreno – one of only three artists to be honored with Academy®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Tony® and Peabody Awards – also serves as one of the film’s executive producers. Bringing together the best of both Broadway and Hollywood, the film’s creative team includes Kushner, who also served as an executive producer; Tony Award® winner Justin Peck, who choreographed the musical numbers in the film; renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor and GRAMMY Award® winner Gustavo Dudamel, who helmed the recording of the iconic score; Academy Award®-nominated composer and conductor David Newman (“Anastasia”), who arranged the score, Tony Award®-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”), who supervised the cast on vocals; and Grammy®-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Chicago”), who serves as executive music producer for the film. The film is produced by Spielberg, Academy Award®-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger and Tony Award®-winning producer Kevin McCollum. “West Side Story” has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and concept, direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins. From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release “West Side Story” in U.S. theaters on December 10, 2021.

'West Side Story' opens in U.S. theaters on December 10th, 2021.

“West Side Story” is a spectacular tour de force of a remake from a director who understands and captures epic action and subtle emotions all in the same moment. Every facet of this inspired adaptation of the original 1957 stage musical functions at the highest caliber to create a dazzling, unforgettable experience: the vibrant colors pop, the detailed sets cast formidable shadows around every corner, the actors shine, and the no-skips soundtrack immediately comes alive. Even the way certain songs and sequences are rearranged- courtesy of Tony Kushner- make this version feel like a newly-discovered original itself.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (María); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works).

The standouts among the talented cast are: Ariana DeBose, who tackles Anita with assuredness, Rachel Zegler, whose voice instantly serenades you, and Mike Faist, who balances power and delicacy as the persuasive Riff. Not to mention Rita Moreno, who returns to these streets after 60 years in a profound way, passing on the torch to the next generation as the Doc-inspired Valentina and consoling a divided nation with her reimagined “Somewhere.” Tony and Maria may once again find love in a hopeless place, but it is worth revisiting in one of the year’s best films.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Nicholas Ruhrkraut (Contributor) lives in New York City but is a Midwestern boy at heart. He loves discussing everything film on his podcast "Oscar Wild," cooking and baking at home, reading, and traveling.
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