Gayle King Says 89-Year-Old Rita Moreno "Killed It" in "West Side Story"
Gayle recently attended the New York premiere of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story adaptation, which hits theaters on December 10. At the premiere, Gayle was seated among the movie's cast, which includes newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ansel Elgort as Tony, and Ariana de Bose—whom you might recognize as the Bullet in Hamilton—as Anita. Rita Moreno, the original Anita, appears in a brand-new role, Valentina, taking the place of the original work's character of Doc. Gayle says the energy in the movie theater was unparalleled.
Below, she recaps Spielberg's message to the audience ahead of the screening, gives her review (spoiler: she loved it), and shares why she’s excited for a new generation to absorb West Side Story’s message. “Love doesn’t always conquer all, but it sure is worth trying,” she says. Look out for shout-outs about her favorite West Side Story song, too.
I loved the new version of West Side Story. At the New York premiere on November 29, Steven Spielberg told the audience that making this movie was a dream come true for him. All I can say is that I’m glad that he had this dream. Normally, when you’re watching remakes, you go, “Well, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” But he just took things to another level with this West Side Story. I felt at one point that the cars were doing a ballet in a sequence set on a New York street, it was so beautifully done.
I’m not the only one who felt this way, either. People in the theater were responding to the movie before it even started. There was loud applause after every single musical number and when new stars appeared on the screen, especially when Rachel Zegler, who plays Maria, made her debut. They did a nationwide search to find her. She was a 17-year-old senior in school at the time. The minute she appeared, people wildly applauded. They went, Yep, that’s Maria!
And what a delight it is to see Rita Moreno still killing it at age 89. I’ll have some of what she’s having, whatever that is. At one point, she’s on-screen with the “new” Anita, played by Ariana de Bose. The Jets attack Anita, and Rita Moreno comes in and says, “Leave her alone!” She saves her past self. It’s a powerful moment.
The cast was sitting in the theater, and you could tell they were enjoying the experience of seeing how well-received the movie was. I got such a kick out of seeing Steven Spielberg take it all in. I emailed his wife, Kate Capshaw, three days later to say I was still thinking about the movie.
The premiere was also three days after Stephen Sondheim died. Sondheim wrote the original lyrics for the musical, and Spielberg shared with the audience all the communication they had. Sondheim called himself “SS1” and Spielberg was “SS2.” Spielberg said he was delighted to be SS2.
After watching, I can say that this is a movie that definitely should be seen on the big screen. During his speech, Spielberg thanked Bob Iger, the executive chairman of Disney. It was Iger's decision to hold West Side Story for a year so it could come out in theaters. So get your vaccine, get your booster, and put on your mask, and go in and enjoy this movie. Take it all in. You can dance in the aisle.
I think West Side Story is coming out at the right time for more reasons than being able to see it in theaters. I saw the original back in high school, but it didn’t play much of a role in my life. I just liked Natalie Wood, who played Maria. I recently re-watched the original on an airplane to see if it was as good as I remembered—and it is! The classic still holds up, but I think we should all give Steven Spielberg a round of applause for giving us another option.
Back when I first encountered West Side Story, the idea of people dying for love seemed shocking to me. But watching today, a time when things are so racially polarized in the U.S., the movie hit differently. Tony and Maria are deeply in love but are kept apart because of race. She’s Puerto Rican, he’s white. The story—and the tension between the communities—felt believable.
People go their whole lives and don’t have what these two had.
And so while the whole movie really was a breathtaking and magical experience, my favorite scene was when Tony sings “Maria.” Tony is professing his love for a girl he’s not supposed to love because she’s Puerto Rican. Her family’s part of the Sharks, and he’s a Jet. It’s forbidden, but he loves her anyway. I got goosebumps—the hair stood up at the back of my neck, it was so beautiful.
I’m sorry to say the movie’s ending doesn't change. Neither does its lesson: Love doesn’t always conquer all, as we see, but it sure is worth trying. People go their whole lives and don’t have what these two had.
I’m excited about a new generation, who doesn’t know any of the words, seeing this movie and leaving the theater humming. What a treat you’re in for. Thank you, Steven Spielberg, for dreaming this dream that we all get to benefit from. Maria, Maria, Maria!
Are you planning on seeing “West Side Story”? Let us know know why in the comments!
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