LEGENDS #2 CHITA RIVERA

In 2009 the second in the series of Christmas "Legends" ornaments from Broadway Cares appeared.  It was Chita Rivera playing Anita in "West Side Story."

The shows origins came form a retelling of the "Romeo and Juliet" tale set this time in the gang world of NYC in the 1950's.  Opening on Broadway in 1957 with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Steven Sondheim (his Broadway debut), it was conceived and brilliantly staged and choreographed by Jerome Robbins who won the Tony Award for his work.  Nominated for six awards including Best Musical, it lost however to "The Music Man."

Later for the screen version in 1961, it was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won ten including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris as Bernardo) and Rita Moreno (playing Anita) as Best Supporting Actress. It was also the first time in Oscar history that the Best Director award was shared by two people, namely Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise.

On the horizon is a movie musical remake by Stephen Spielberg with a book by Tony Kushner to be released on December 18, 2020.  The new cast is mostly unknowns with the role of Tony to be played by Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as Maria.  One interesting change has the previous role of Doc becoming a character known as Valentina to be portrayed by Rita Moreno (perhaps as an homage to the original movie.)  But is all started with Chita.

The ornament and photo below capture Ms. Rivera and her costume in the original  Broadway production.

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