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West Side Story remains to be a Broadway classic, and director Steven Spielberg is set to release his take of the film sometime next year. As news would have it, production for the movie has officially wrapped, and Spielberg had a few words of gratitude for the cast, crew, and original creators of West Side Story.
This was the official post from Amblin:
https://twitter.com/amblin/status/1179425846345551873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1179425846345551873&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playbill.com%2Farticle%2Fsteven-spielberg-shares-photos-from-set-as-west-side-story-wraps
Part of Spielberg’s statement included:
“On every day of the past four years during which we’ve been preparing, casting, imagining West Side Story, I and my team, cast and crew have been walking in the footsteps of four giants: Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins and Stephen Sondheim. For the light they’ve shed on the world, for Stephen Sondheim’s insight, guidance and support, and for the openhearted support of the Bernstein, Laurents and Robbins estates, I owe more than I can possibly express.”
Just in case you didn’t know, West Side Story is a modern reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but instead of rival families, you have rival street gangs. The story follows lovers Tony and Maria who each come from a side, and must find a way to be together amidst violence and racial tension.
The original film was known for its outstanding choreography and music, and no doubt we’re going to be getting more of that when it comes to Spielberg’s version. Personally, I’m relived he decided to keep to the 50s period era as compared to updating it for modern times.
Spielberg’s West Side Story stars Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler, and the film is set to come out Dec. 18, 2020.
