Adapted from William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story is a seminal musical that's be performed on the stage by countless high schools, theater troupes, and broadway actors. In 1961 the movie version was released and audiences across the globe were enraptured with the film's music, choreography, gang violence, and love story. It was the second-highest grossing movie the year it was released, it won 10 Academy Awards, and its soundtrack sold more albums than any album before it. Suffice it to say, it was a hit.
This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the Redford Theatre will show West Side Story in its entirety. Shows start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday and a special guest will be in the audience for all three showings. Rita Moreno, the actress who played Anita in the film, will make a red carpet appearance an hour and 15 minutes before each show starts and guests will have the opportunity to meet her, get her autograph, and take pictures.