#AboutLastNight: Stars Shine At Premiere Of ‘West Side Story’

HipHollywood hit the red carpet for the premiere of West Side Story and found out just what fans can expect from the Steven Spielberg remake.

“They can expect o see the West Side Story that we all love … but even deeper,” said Ilda Mason who plays Luz.

“I think theat you can expect a really powerful message and that message is of love and not giving in to fear and hatred and division,” added David Alvarez who plays Bernardo.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show.

 

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The film starring Ansel Elgort (as Tony) and Rachel Zegler (as Maria) explores forbidden love and the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnicities– the Jets and the Sharks.

Josh Andrés Rivera who plays Chino is excited films about the Latin X community like Encanto and In The Heights are shining bright on screen this year.

“The more stories we get like this on the forefront in the mainstream the better. I would hope that we continue to we continue to inspire young creators and young actors to express themselves authenticially and give background to what it means to be Latino or Black,” he said.

A host of other celebs hit the carpet to share their excitement about film including Rita Moreno. Moreno, who starred in the 1961 film and nabbed an Oscar for her portrayal as Anita, stars in the new film as Valentina.

Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno attend Disney Studios’ Los Angeles Premiere Of “West Side Story” at El Capitan Theatre (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/WireImage)

Debbie Allen who played Maria in the Broadway  Musical hit the carpet with Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and her daughter Vivian.

“Stephen Spielberg is my Obi-Wan Kenobi,” she said referencing a character from his film Star Wars. “If anyone can take this in his hands it’s him and I can’t way to see what he’s done.”

(L-R) Debbie Allen, Ellen Pompeo and Vivian Nixon attends the Los Angeles premiere of West Side Story, held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 07, 2021. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios)

From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release “West Side Story” in U.S. theaters on December 10, 2021.