West Side Story | The Cast discuss 'America' | In cinemas now

Meet the cast of #WestSideStory and hear what makes 'America' special... let the lyrics speak for themselves.

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 honoured 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. 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.

[leafodan]

Ariana Debose was fantastic in this movie and without a doubt a stand out amazing performance. But the entire cast was perfection. I’d say the best overall cast I’ve seen in a movie

[mallorygallagher]

such a brilliant and passionate number. David and Ariana killed it.

[erpollock]

Ariana is very well spoken, she makes a very good case for seeing the movie. I felt from the publicity, especially the untranslated Spanish, that the movie was directed toward Hispanic people and not English speaking people. But it's such a wonderful story with beautiful songs and dancing that even English speaking people will enjoy it. When it is on DVD and available in my library, I will put in a reserve to see it.

[carriee.]

The original will always hold a special place in my heart but they really outdid themselves with new retelling. It was gorgeous and absolutely relevant for today’s day and age. Absolutely so happy they redid this with such respect and care.

[chrisg]

I'm Black and this spoke to me💯💯💯

[jonathancruz]

Puerto Rico is part of the United States territory in 1898 after Spanish-American War

[disneyfan]

I wonder if they would all sing the song zip-a-dee-doo-dah from Disney’s song of the south because it was a sunshiny day in that part of the movie that be awesome to see ☀️ 😃 👍🏻

[tomtraphagen]

Watch this new West Side Story. I did. It’s GREAT!

[slowraceultra]

A racist movie, thumbs down, disliked.