I am a huge sucker for musicals. This coming from a guy who has only experienced them via audio and film. But enough about me! Tonight we are here to talk about the classic tale inspired by an even more classic tale, Romeo and Juliet. None other than West Side Story. Today Walt Disney Studios has released the very first teaser trailer for Steven Spielberg’s new film adaptation of West Side Story. It has also been revealed that it will be open in theaters on December 10th, 2021. You can check out the trailer below along with released images of the film!
Here is the synopsis of 20th Century Studios production of West Side Story:
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 serves 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 served as executive music producer for the film.
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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 a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and concept, direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins.
It is interesting how its been sixty-four years since West Side Story first hit Broadway, and yet it still resonates with audiences around the world. I can’t wait to once again fall for another set of songs this winter. Are you a fan of musicals? Let us know in the comment section below!
20th Century Studios’ West Side Story premieres in theaters on December 10th, 2021.