Spielberg’s new adaptation of the classic 1957 Broadway musical and then 1961 Oscar winner West Side Story stars the gifted Ansel Elgort in the lead role of Tony.
Pulitzer prize winner Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) rewrote the revival of the 1957 musical, which was originally penned by Arthur Laurents and the young Stephen Sondheim, with music by the brilliant Leonard Bernstein.
Spielberg, Kevin McCollum and Kristie Macosko Krieger produce the Fox movie, whose shooting will begin in summer 2019.
Larry Kert played Tony in the original 1957 Broadway musical, which earned six Tony nods. “West Side Story” was inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and centers on the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs.
Richard Beymer portrayed Tony, the founder of the Jets, in the 1961 film. That adaptation was nominated for 11 Oscar Awards and won 10, including best picture and best director for Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins.
