West Side Story

Celebrity Profiles

Rachel Zegler, recognized widely for her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, has navigated intense public attention and criticism since her rise...

entertainment

Tony West is the leader of the Jets gang in Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’s 1961 film adaptation of the musical West Side Story . Portrayed by actor Ned Wayburn, Tony is a pr...

performer-production-role

Maria is the female lead in West Side Story, serving as the emotional anchor of the story set in mid-20th century New York City. As the younger sister of Bernardo, the leader of...

people

Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who gained widespread recognition after starring as María in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film West Side Story, for which she won a...

theatre-musical-theatre

The original Broadway production of West Side Story introduced the world to a groundbreaking blend of musical theater and social commentary. The principal cast established the d...

films-cinema

The 2021 adaptation of West Side Story brought a new generation to the story while honoring the original stage classic. This verified cast profile lists the principal actors and...

Celebrity Profiles

The following table summarizes verifiable highlights of Ariana DeBose’s career related to her Academy Award and broader achievements.

performing-arts

Tony is the male lead in the 1957 musical West Side Story, conceived by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and originally staged by Jerome Robbins. As a former member of the...

entertainment

Anita is Bernardo’s girlfriend and a central figure in the Jets social circle. She arrives from Puerto Rico to support Maria, serving as a bridge between island life and the t...

people

Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who gained widespread recognition for her starring role as Maria in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film West Side Story. Born on May 3,...

entertainment-profile

Ariana DeBose is an American actress, singer, and dancer recognized for her dynamic stage presence and charismatic screen work. She began her career in musical theater, training...

Film and Television

Steven Spielberg’s engagement with West Side Story centers on his meticulous 2021 adaptation of the landmark musical, which he directed after decades of anticipation. This ove...

performing-arts

In the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, Ariana DeBose plays Anita, a close friend and confidante of Maria who is also Bernardo’s girlfriend. Her casting was announced...

Musical Theatre

West Side Story is a mid-20th century musical that reframes Romeo andJulet in 1950s New York, using street gangs, urban tension, and jazz influenced music to explore prejudice,...

Celebrity Profiles

Rachel Zegler was 20 years old during the principal photography of West Side Story in 2021. Steven Spielberg cast the then-19-year-old actress in early 2020, and production wrap...

entertainment

Rachel Zegler is an American actor and singer who gained widespread recognition for her film debut as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021). Her performance earne...

Musical Theater Performance

The role of Anita stands as one of the most demanding and consequential for performers in West Side Story, serving as both a narrative anchor and a bridge between street-level t...

Relationships

The professional relationship between Rita Moreno and Tony Perkins centers on their shared work in mid-20th century film, most notably the 1961 drama West Side Story . Moreno pl...