The Importance of West Side Story & Casting

"West Side Story" is a 1957 musical, a 1961 feature film that won TEN Academy Awards (starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn), and an upcoming Steven Spielberg film starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as Tony and Maria, respectively.
This video is another passion project that covers the source material and origins of West Side Story, and some preliminary thoughts on the new film adaptation. There were so many more points of discussion I would have loved to dive into but the script was so long already that I decided to cap it. Perhaps I'll return to the 1961 film in the future to discuss more that I couldn't get to this time around.
This video contains spoilers.
Credits:
→ "West Side Story" (1961): United Artists
→ "Romeo and Juliet" (1968): Paramount Pictures
→ "Romeo + Juliet" (1996): 20th Century Fox
Links:
→ West Side Story Reunion w/ Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris (The Talk 16-Nov-2011) [Source: The Talk / CBS / Broadway TV Archive]
• West Side Story Reunio...
Fair Use Act Disclaimer:
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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#WestSideStory #AnselElgort #RachelZegler
🎵 Music:
→ / aka-dj-quads
→ "Black Heat" by Ross Bugden - Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (kzbin.info?redi...)
Link: • ♩♫ Intense and Upbeat ...
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[@RachelZeglerLovesHugs]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This made me weep so much-- I feel so loved. Thank you, Jenevia. I hope you enjoy our movie! We worked so hard to bring these social issues to life, and the love that Tony and Maria have is truly based in their choice to be together DESPITE the true story, which is the social injustice of the world in 1957. THANK YOU FOR SEEING US FOR WHAT WE ARE-- WE'RE RIGHTING WRONGS. xoxoxoxoxox

[@LadyJenevia]

Rachel Zegler Thank you, Rachel! Not only for watching my little labour of love (this video essay) but for being a champion for so many disenfranchised groups. I EAGERLY look forward to seeing what you and everyone else have worked so hard to put together with this new adaptation! You’re going to inspire so many people and I fully stand by that! ❤️🎬💃🏻🙌🏻✨

[@chungleanne2690]

heyy rachel, may i ask how you got the role and how you found out about it?💕 anyways so excited to see you

[@globelamp]

i am Puerto Rican/American - and am thrilled they cast you for Maria. you are gonna rock

[@randywhite3947]

Cool that commented here

[@JordanVanRyn]

Rachel, I want to say that you and Ariana and many of the people who worked on this adaptation are so talented and amazing. So congratulations!

[@lindseysquire8417]

Ugh I adore Rita Moreno. She's such an incredible woman. "No, you don't understand." Everyone needs to be a bit more like Rita Moreno.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I’ve seen her in the King & I And Singing in the Rain as well. Not working on a movie for seven years after WSS bitterly surprises me as a half Latino on my dads side.

[@alexanderh9878]

I cannot imagine West Side Story without Natalie Wood and her eyes- impossible! Let's remember it's acting ( and I am Puerto Rican).

[@thewerewolfgirl97]

I totally forgot that West Side Story came before Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet! And the thought of the modernized, more loosely-adapted musical version influencing a more "faithful" film adaptation of the play is mindblowing!

[@LadyJenevia]

thewerewolfgirl97 I love both of those films so much! 🥰🔥🎬🌸✨

[@manuelorozco7760]

I never forgotten

[@kage3069]

Wow, sometimes the KZbin algorithms introduces me to real gems! You deserve so much more attention for this masterpiece!

[@LadyJenevia]

Wow, thank you! 😊

[@kage3069]

@@LadyJenevia thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@JordanVanRyn]

As someone who used to watch "West Side Story" 24/7 as a kid, I want to say thanks so much for this essay video. Despite it's complicated history, "West Side Story" is a very under-appreciated film that has a story that tackled many deeply relevant topics that should be conversation starters. I really appreciate that you give the review on this musical a lot more nuance than most people give it credit for. Of all the musicals made by Stephen Sondheim, "West Side Story" is underrated.

[@sabrinalim3333]

wow this was so well said! addressing the source material, the cinematography, the social issues and the ways it’s aged. Incredible!!

[@LadyJenevia]

Thank you! 😊 🙏🏻

[@sabrinalim3333]

LadyJenevia of course!

[@happyandblessed5640]

Your research is so good. I loved this. Thank you. I'm studying this film in my film studies. Happpy New Year to you. Liked and subscribed.

[@KristofskiKabuki]

Re the song Officer Krumpkie: it's more about them mocking the people whose job it is to help them but actually don't understand the first thing about their lives rather than a genuine description of what has actually caused them to be how they are. So the "my sister wears a moustache, my brother wears a dress" is more mocking transphobia and showing a teenage boys' sense of humour rather than being transphobia. I mean I'm pretty sure it's also not true that they were traumatised by their parents not giving them drugs! I'll also say that in my opinion the definitive version of the song is Schlong's cover on their album Punk Side Story

[@msjkelmolol123]

This video essay was flawless!!!!

[@LadyJenevia]

Thank you! 🥰

[@rcal6983]

This was an amazing video! Absolutely loved how naturally all of the parts built off each other and the amount of research that you very obviously put in to respect all source materials discussed. This is the quality of content that we need on this platform! Please do the Grease duology video, my childhood nostalgia heart is quaking for a comparison video between the two. As for my own favourite musicals, I think the ones that I could say have or had an important part of my life, in vaguely chronological order of my experiences with them: Grease, Sweeney Todd (the 1982 live recording gives me LIFE), Wicked, RENT, and the finally The Last Five Years.

[@LadyJenevia]

R Cal Thank you!! 😊🙏🏻✨ It’s funny you mention Sweeney Todd since I just saw a new film summary/review of it posted a couple of days ago. As for Grease... well... I definitely need to go dig up that script since I think I had written half of it last year but didn’t finish because of how long-winded I was getting and I didn’t want to stress myself out putting so much into a video I didn’t think I had the audience for yet. That video will definitely happen, though. It’s just a matter of when. 😈🎬💅🏻

[@rcal6983]

@@LadyJenevia I'll have to go track that video down and watch it :) I've definitely had my moments of putting projects down and suddenly picking them up a long while later, so I totally get it! Can't wait for it when it happens

[@eynozamora3594]

I loved watching and listening to you Jenevia. I just subscribed and am looking forward to see more of your videos. Thank you for explaining where the story of West Side Story all started ans fpr sharing your honest opinions about many things which I totally agree with. It feels great hearing more and more people falling in love and talking about musicals in an very in depth way. I'm as excited as you are to see the re-imagined interpretation of this masterpiece. Hope you can share with us your reaction after seeing the movie months later. ❤️💕

[@LadyJenevia]

I will definitely share my thoughts once I see Steven Spielberg's West Side Story!

[@nunya5270]

I absolutely LOVED this video!!! You are so thorough, well-spoken and really have an informed opinion & background on this timeless treasure. Thank you so much!!!

[@LadyJenevia]

Thank you so much!! I had a lot of fun creating this and it was a great way to jumpstart more creative momentum for my channel in 2020. 😁

[@manuelorozco7760]

You made some really good statements. I never thought of the romance with Romeo and Juliet that way before. But I would never want to rush into marriage if it’s forbidden or to make a woman feel better after the death of a loved ones. I have been a fan of the movie WSS since I was 15. TCM was the first time I’ve seen it on TV. I was a freshman in high school when I studied Romeo and Juliet and the 2009 revival of WSS opened on Broadway. I have been excited for this remake since Rita Moreno was announced to be involved in it as a co star and executive producer. I knew in a heartbeat the remake was worth something more than just a nostalgic cash grab. In terms of the cast, I am watching this for Rita of course as well as some of the Jets especially Mike Faist and Ben Cook. I still listen to the music once in a while. Ariana DeBose playing Alyssa Green in the Prom movie will be my test to see if she’ll make Rita proud as Anita. I never dated anyone but the closest thing to Tony and Maria I felt was my fantasy crush on Miley Cyrus during her Hannah Montana days. I didn’t know it right away but now looking back as a young adult. It wasn’t easy work for me as a fan of the show. Long story. And as a half Mexican, I’m proud to see real Latinx in the Sharks! I’ve said to justify my hype

[@manuelorozco7760]

I said enough to justify

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

I really want this adaptation to go well. Movie musicals deserve to be amazing. Also, I am going to check for that Grease double feature video; Michelle Pheiffer is trying in Grease 2, but it is so bizarre.

[@LadyJenevia]

I still haven't made my Grease videos. Maybe this year... 👀

[@Merina2222]

Where have you been all my life? What a fantastic video essay, such great analysis. Love this.

[@LadyJenevia]

Scarlett R. Thank you! 😊🙏🏻✨ I started stressing when I was editing that I hadn’t covered enough of the material since the film is so DENSE with sociopolitical commentary so I’m happy for the nice feedback! I really like making video essays but the longer ones like these take so long to produce that I usually have to make smaller videos in-between scripting/editing the big projects like these (otherwise I’d hardly ever upload 😂🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️)!

[@Merina2222]

@@LadyJenevia Seriously, I was so impressed by the results of your work and I think you covered just the right amount of material without it being overwhelming!

[@LadyJenevia]

Scarlett R. Thank you! 😄💪🏻 I think it’s easier to do video essays that are closer to an hour in length if you’ve already built up your audience. I’m still newer to doing the long-form essays but it’s easy to get long-winded when the topic is something I’m passionate about like West Side Story or Charlie’s Angels 2000. 🤣🎬💁🏻‍♀️

[@jackleavermusic]

Very good work - thank you so much.

[@sarafstop32]

Excellent analysis!

[@pixelpudding3914]

Ok but can we appreciate her saying “Latin” and not being all laTiNx

[@randywhite3947]

Romeo and Juliet is neither underrated nor overrated

[@pstolee]

It was great listening to your reflections. I loooooooovvvved the movie. Here is my reflection of Love. First of all, of course you are stating the obvious regarding Tony's declaration of love. On the other hand, if we look at some words in the dictionary, they often have many different or opposite meanings. Take ''buckle'' which can mean to fasten or attach as in belt or bend or collapse as in bridge under the weight of a heavy truck. So here , we are talking about love on many levels. I have felt love on a first date or at first sight. And I can't think of a better word for it. But it is pure chemical reaction, hormones in high gear and all of blood rushing out of my brain and heading below the equator if you get my drift. So being in love, is a temporary state that may, when not careful, get us into some serious places like bed, babies, marriage, and even death as seen in the film. Being in love is an adjective , a description of our state of mind, whereas when I love someone, it could also be a verb. As someone said on some distant show of Oprah, love is action. It is our continual commitment to doing things with and for the other with selflessness. We will never know with Tony and Maria. Nevertheless, love is one of the words that can be discussed on many different levels. In Westside Story, like Romeo and Juliet, their initial encounter and all-too-short relationship runs on high octane infatuation, lust, passion...pure emotion. I remember my 4th girlfriend and first true love. It was love at first sight and put me in a state of gaga for 18 months . I would have done and did anything and everything for her. ...and then it became something else . With no children to make the bond permenant, we two imperfect humans eventually broke up as we grew into our adult selves. And then as adults, we transformed again. I am now in the Autumn of my life. Looking back, I have great memories of those first 2 years and know that it also belongs to youth, a certain naivete , innocence. and the glory of Spring.

[@richardharoldmeddows728]

I hope they do keep Gee, Officer Krupke in the 2021 movie because it’s one of my favourite songs but it is so problematic so I’m not sure if they’d keep it in

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

They DO and it's AWESOME!! ☺️

[@eleonorarosato3766]

Please please please do an essay on Grease! I love that movie and musical and aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!! My favorite musical is, in fact, Grease, but if we're talking about broadway musicals (which I know you're not but I have to talk about this) then my favorite is the broadway adaptation of Anastasia with Christy Altomare and Derek Klena. I never actually watched it on Broadway cause I'm in Italy and poor so definitely don't have the money to go to Broadway, but youtube is always helping. I ended up learning all the songs and also, Anastasia the animated movie is my favorite non-Disney animated movie, and my favorite non-Disney princess and Dmitri is just the best and I could keep on talking about this forever but I'm going to stop.

[@donnalombardo212]

Mine is Jesus Christ Superstar and this one

[@sirjoshyyy_2024]

Who’s ready for WICKED to become a movie!!

[@NancyGooGoo]

I loved this review of WSS but I have to admit, the reason why I'm writing this is because I'm hoping you can tell me what LIPSTICK you're wearing! LOL - It's a shade of red I've been looking for since FOREVER! Hope you remember what it was - it's a TERRIFIC SHADE!

[@LadyJenevia]

I'm honestly not 100% sure since I made this video a while ago so if I were to make an educated guess, it might have been one of Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet's red shades. Maybe shade number 15 (named "Red-volution").

[@NancyGooGoo]

@@LadyJenevia Thanks so much - I'll give that lipstick a look-see! Thanks for taking the time to respond! I do appreciate it!

[@annecenters1262]

Could be a karmic connection or love at first sight.

[@jessica2575]

Natalie’s accent is so cringe and the brown face is annoying it’s a good movie but it’s also frustrating to watch for many reasons.

[@patrykmiguel1488]

Hey @LadyJenevia have you watched "Greta"? I have never felt this pis*ed off after watching a movie haha...one massive rip off of another movie I have watched (won't say the name lest you haven't watched it).

[@LadyJenevia]

Patricius I haven’t seen it. I had to type it into KZbin’s search bar to know what it was. Didn’t click on any of the videos since I’m watching a cat video I didn’t want to stop, but I at least wanted to look at the thumbnails to see if it sparked a recollection. 😂

[@rayyanez3527]

AAAAAND !!!!!!!!! IT !!!!!!!!! SUCKED !!!!!!!!!!!!!🎉🎉😂😂