“Tonight” is not too far away, as the Spielberg-directed West Side Story comes to theaters next week. The film’s star, newcomer Rachel Zegler, stopped by Good Morning America to talk about making her film debut in the beloved musical, hired by none other than the legendary Steven Spielberg.
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. West Side Story has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show which featured a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins.
This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Mike Faist (Riff), Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke), Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), with Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works) and introducing Rachel Zegler (María). 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.
West Side Story hits theaters December 10. Watch the trailer here.