Tony Award Nominee for her portrayal of Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Ariana DeBose (Summer, Hamilton, A Bronx Tale) will play legendary character Anita in the forthcoming West Side Story movie directed by Steven Spielberg. DeBose follows in the footsteps of some iconic theatre actresses; Chita Rivera, the original Broadway Anita; Debbie Allen, who put her mark on the role in a 1980 Broadway revival, and Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her portrayal in the original film.
Moreno has also been cast in Spielberg’s remake as Valentina, a reconceived and expanded version of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works.
“I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the remarkable women who have played Anita – including Chita Rivera and, of course, the incomparable Rita Moreno,” said DeBose. “I relate so strongly to Anita – a strong Puerto Rican woman who came to New York in search of opportunity – and I feel so fortunate for the chance to work with this amazing cast and creative team.”
According to Deadline, the cast also includes Tony winner for Billy Elliot, David Alvarez in the role of Bernardo, with Rachel Zegler as Maria, Josh Andrés Rivera as Chino, & Ansel Elgort as Tony.
West Side Story filming is slated to start in the summer of 2019 and will be released by Twentieth Century Fox.
The casting of the Jets and the Sharks have yet to be made but will be in the coming weeks.
