West Side Story is the Tony-winning musical created by Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents. Their story, inspired by Romeo and Juliet, is an ill-fated romance set among teenage gangs in New York's Upper West Side during the 1950s.
In 1961, Robbins and director Robert Wise adapted West Side Story for the big screen, with a cast led by Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn.
The movie made Oscar history, winning 10 of its 11 nominations, including best picture. It still holds the record for most Academy Awards won by a musical. Now, 60 years later, Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the stage musical is being released, starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as the star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria.
Spielberg's cast also includes Moreno, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film. This time, she is taking on the role of Valentina, a part created for her by screenwriter and Pulitzer-winning playwright Tony Kushner.
Here Newsweek takes a look at how the 1961 cast compare to Spielberg's stars.
How the Original 'West Side Story' Actors Compare to the Remake Stars
Maria
Natalie Wood played Maria in the 1961 version of West Side Story.
Wood, who died in 1981 at the age of 43, was a Golden Globe-winning actress best known for roles in Rebel Without A Cause, The Searchers, Gypsy and Splendor in the Grass.
In the 2021 reimagining, up-and-coming actress Rachel Zegler takes on the female lead. West Side Story is Zegler's biggest role to date but, in 2023, you will be able to see her as Snow White in the live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Tony
Richard Beymer took on the role of the troubled Tony in 1961's West Side Story.
Beymer played Ben Horne in the David Lynch drama Twin Peaks, returning to the role for the "25 years later" series released in 2017. He has mostly worked in television, but also appeared as Peter in the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank.
Ansel Elgort plays the role in Spielberg's remake, showing off his singing talents for the first time on the big screen.
Elgort is best known for playing Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars, Caleb in the Divergent movies and Baby/Miles in Baby Driver.
Riff
Riff, Tony's best friend and the leader of street gang the Jets, was played by Russ Tamblyn in 1961.
Tamblyn, an actor and dancer, is well known for his role as Norman Page in the drama Peyton Place, which earned him an Oscar nomination. He also appeared in musicals such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Tom Thumb.
Like Beymer, he appeared in Twin Peaks, playing Dr. Lawrence Jacoby. More recently, he was Dr. Montague in The Haunting of Hill House.
In the 2021 version, Riff is portrayed by Tony nominee Mike Faist. Faist is best known for originating the role of Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and for playing Morris Delancey in Disney's Newsies.
His film credits include Wildling, The Unspeakable Act and The Grief of Others.
Bernardo
Bad boy Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks and Maria's older brother, was played by George Chakiris.
Chakiris won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance. His later credits include Dallas and Superboy.
David Alvarez, a Canadian actor and dancer, stars as Bernardo in Spielberg's film. Alvarez was one of the three original Billys in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway, winning a Tony for the role.
Anita
In 1961, Rita Moreno played Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's closest friend.
Moreno is one of the few performers who can call themselves an EGOT—having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
In Spielberg's film, Moreno plays the new role of Valentina, the widow of drugstore owner Doc, who was played by Ned Glass in the 1961 film.
Broadway actress Ariana DeBose takes on the Anita role in the 2021 movie. She has appeared in Hamilton, Pippin and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on stage.
Lieutenant Schrank
Lieutenant Schrank, the man determined to put an end to the Jets and their rivals the Sharks, was played by Simon Oakland in 1961.
Oakland was an American stage and screen actor who appeared in films such as Psycho and Bullitt.
In the remake, House of Cards, Billions and Many Saints of Newark star Corey Stoll plays Schrank.
Sergeant Krupke
William Bramley starred as everybody's favorite police officer, Sergeant Krupke, in 1961.
Bramley also played the role in the original Broadway production.
In Spielberg's adaptation, Brian d'Arcy James plays Krupke.
James is a Broadway actor known for roles in Shrek The Musical, Hamilton and The Ferryman.
He also played Andy Baker in Netflix's 13 Reasons Why and reporter Matt Carroll in the 2015 drama Spotlight.
West Side Story is in U.S. theaters from Friday, December 10.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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