♪ Could it be, ♪
♪ Yes it could. ♪
♪ Something's coming ♪
♪ Something good. ♪
- [Voiceover] The 1957 Broadway musical
inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
is being revived by none other
than Steven Spielberg.
Here's what we know about
'West Side Story' so far.
(upbeat music)
Arthur Laurents' timeless tale
about forbidden love between rival gangs
on the Upper West Side of New York,
was an immediate hit on Broadway,
and it's 1961 feature film adaptation
starring Natalie Wood
captured 10 Academy Awards,
including Best Picture.
With music by Leonard Bernstein
and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim,
the Jets and Sharks shined a light
on a cultural clash between white
and Puerto Rican Americans,
now it's being rebooted
by Steven Spielberg,
the Oscar winning filmmaker
who's directing a musical
for the first time
in his storied career.
We know Spielberg's vision
will remain faithful to the Broadway play
set in the mid 50's,
as the director has gone to great lengths
to pay tribute to the original creators,
and say that he's walking in the footsteps
of four giants.
(upbeat music)
Ansel Elgort who's also made a name
for himself in the music industry,
since his 2014 breakout roles
in 'Divergent' and 'The Fault In Our Stars,'
was cast by Spielberg to play Tony,
'West Side Story's' conflicted lead.
- It's unbelievable,
I'm pinching myself constantly
whenever I'm talking to him
and he's directing me.
- [Voiceover] This isn't
Elgort's first rodeo either.
- Is that you right there?
- That's me.
(laughter)
12 years old in "West Side
Story" at theater camp.
- [Voiceover] The Jets surrounding Elgort
include "The Path's" Kyle Allen,
and Tony nominee Mike Faist as Riff,
the leader of the gang.
"Dance Mom's" alum and
modern day mega influencer
Maddie Ziegler is playing Velma,
Riff's main squeeze,
who the world knows can dance.
Newcomer Rachel Zegler stars
opposite Elgort as Maria,
Tony's star crossed lover.
Zegler reportedly nabbed the role
after responding to an
online casting call,
beating an estimated 30,000 Latina women
who auditioned for the part.
Maria's brother Bernardo,
the leader of the Sharks,
will be played by David Alvarez,
who won a Tony for his performance
as Billy in "Billy Elliot the Musical."
The role of Chino,
Bernardo's right hand man
and his preferred suitor for Maria,
went to "Hamilton" tour
actor Josh Andres Rivera.
Nearly 60 years ago Rita Moreno
immortalized the role of
Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend,
and Maria's confidant.
♪ Skyscrapers bloom in America. ♪
- [Voiceover] To try to fill those shoes,
Spielberg cast Ariana DeBose,
who was Tony nominated in 2018
for her portrayal of Donna Summer.
Moreno meanwhile, who won an Oscar
for her effort in 1961,
is now playing Valentina
in Spielberg's cast.
This new character is set to be
a reimagined version of Doc,
Tony's boss at the
corner store in the original.
Policing the neighborhood as always,
are Lieutenant Shrank and Officer Krupke.
Shrank will be played by Corey Stoll,
"House of Cards" representative
turned 'Ant Man' villain.
Krupke is being played
by Broadway stalwart
Brian d'Arcy James, a
three time Tony nominee,
The script was written by Tony Kushner,
the Oscar nominated screenwriter
of 'Lincoln' and 'Munich,'
who's also won a Pulitzer for
his play "Angels in America."
Now in post production,
Spielberg joins forces with
LA Philharmonic maestro
Gustavo Dudamel who is
re-recording Bernstein's
iconic score for the film.
The Venezuelan conductor has
described this opportunity
as one of the highlights of his career.
The musical opens in theaters
on December 18th 2020,
so what does that mean
for the 2021 Oscars?
♪ There's a place for us. ♪
