The West Side Story Cast: Where Are Spielberg's Stars Now In 2024? (A Full Update)

The enduring legacy of West Side Story continues to captivate audiences globally, making the cast a subject of constant fascination. As of late 2024, the stars of Steven Spielberg's critically acclaimed 2021 film adaptation—Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, and Ansel Elgort—have cemented their status as Hollywood's most sought-after talents, with their careers exploding into major film franchises, Broadway revivals, and Oscar wins. This deep dive provides the most current updates on where the main cast is today, their newest projects, and a look at the other major productions currently keeping the *West Side Story* flame alive.

The 2021 film, adapted from the original 1957 Broadway musical by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents, was a cultural reset, introducing a new generation of stars who immediately became household names. The fresh, authentic casting choice by director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner ensured the film honored its roots while propelling its actors to immediate A-list status. The biggest question for fans today is: what are the stars of the 2021 film doing now?

The 2021 Film Cast: Full Biographies and 2024 Career Explosions

The core ensemble of the 2021 adaptation saw their careers launch into the stratosphere, securing major roles in some of the biggest upcoming film and stage productions. Here is a detailed look at the four central stars, their key biographical details, and their most recent and upcoming projects in 2024.

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1. Rachel Zegler (María)

• Role in WSS: María (The romantic lead, sister of Bernardo, in love with Tony).
• Born: May 3, 2001 (Hackensack, New Jersey).
• Career Highlights: Zegler was an unknown high school student when cast as María. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She later starred as Lucy Gray Baird in the *Hunger Games* prequel.
• 2024/Upcoming Projects: Rachel Zegler's career is currently one of the hottest in Hollywood. She is set to star as the titular character in Disney's live-action remake of *Snow White*. She will also voice the lead role in the animated musical *Spellbound*. On the stage, she made her highly anticipated Broadway debut in Sam Gold’s 2024 production of *Romeo + Juliet*.

2. Ariana DeBose (Anita)

• Role in WSS: Anita (Bernardo’s girlfriend, a Shark, and María’s confidante).
• Born: January 25, 1991 (Wilmington, North Carolina).
• Career Highlights: DeBose made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita, making her the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar. She is also a Tony Award nominee for her role in *Summer: The Donna Summer Musical* and was part of the original *Hamilton* cast.
• 2024/Upcoming Projects: DeBose has become a major figure in the industry, hosting the prestigious Tony Awards for the third consecutive year in 2024, earning critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for the role. She is also slated to star in the Classic Stage Company's production of the musical *The Baker's Wife*.

3. Mike Faist (Riff)

• Role in WSS: Riff (The leader of the Jets, Tony’s best friend).
• Born: January 5, 1992 (Gahanna, Ohio).
• Career Highlights: Before his breakout film role as Riff, Faist was a celebrated Broadway star, originating the roles of Connor Murphy in *Dear Evan Hansen* (earning a Tony nomination) and Jack Kelly in *Newsies*.
• 2024/Upcoming Projects: Faist's biggest 2024 project is the highly-anticipated sports/romance film *Challengers*, directed by Luca Guadagnino, where he stars alongside Zendaya and Josh O'Connor. This role further establishes him as a versatile actor transitioning successfully from stage to major cinema.

4. Ansel Elgort (Tony)

• Role in WSS: Tony (The romantic lead, former leader of the Jets, in love with María).
• Born: March 14, 1994 (New York City, New York).
• Career Highlights: Elgort was the most established actor of the main cast, known for leading roles in *The Fault in Our Stars* and *Baby Driver* before being cast as Tony.
• 2024/Upcoming Projects: Following *West Side Story*, Elgort starred in the HBO Max crime drama series *Tokyo Vice*, which has been a critical success. While not having a major film release in 2024, his focus remains on his acting career with potential future projects in development, including a producer role on *The Dukes*.

The Enduring Legacy: Key Supporting Cast and Entities

The success of the 2021 film was not only due to the central pairing of Tony and María but also the incredible ensemble that brought the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks to life. The film was also notable for its connection to the original 1961 film.

Rita Moreno and the Torch of Authenticity

A crucial element of the 2021 cast was the return of Hollywood legend Rita Moreno. Moreno, who won an Academy Award for playing Anita in the 1961 film, returned to play the new role of Valentina, the widow of Doc and the owner of the drugstore where Tony works. Her presence served as a powerful link between the two generations of the musical and provided an emotional anchor for the film, earning her an executive producer credit and a new level of respect from the younger cast.

Other Notable Cast Members and Entities

The depth of talent in the supporting cast is a testament to the film's commitment to authenticity and musical theatre excellence. These actors and the creative team form a critical part of the *West Side Story* entity map:

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• David Alvarez (Bernardo): A Tony Award winner for *Billy Elliot The Musical*, Alvarez played Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks and María’s protective older brother.
• Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino): Rivera played Chino, the gentle suitor chosen for María. He has since been cast in *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* alongside Rachel Zegler.
• Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank): A veteran actor who played the hardened police lieutenant attempting to control the escalating gang violence.
• Brian d'Arcy James (Officer Krupke): Played the beat cop, Officer Krupke, known for his role in the satirical song "Gee, Officer Krupke."
• The Creative Team: The original music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography inspired by Jerome Robbins are the foundational entities that make any production possible.

The 2024 Stage Revivals and International Tours

While the film cast dominates the headlines, the timeless story of Tony and María, the racial tension, and the powerful music ensures that stage productions continue to thrive. The current theatrical landscape in 2024 is buzzing with new casts taking on the classic roles, maintaining the show's relevance as a musical drama about prejudice and violence.

The 2022-2024 International World Tour

A major ongoing production is the International World Tour of *West Side Story*, which has been running from 2022 into 2024. This tour, featuring a dedicated cast including Christopher Alvarado, Deanna Cudjoe, Gerardo Esparza, and Majo Rivero, has brought the Broadway classic to audiences around the globe. The cast members have been celebrated for their performances, with several of them returning to New York City for special performances in 2024, highlighting the show's continuous energy.

Regional and Local Productions in 2024

The musical's popularity is also evident in numerous high-profile regional revivals announced for 2024:

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• Pittsburgh CLO (June 2024): The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera announced its full cast and creative team for a production of *West Side Story* running in June 2024 at the Benedum Center.
• Lewis & Shirley White Theatre (2024-2025 Season): This internationally acclaimed musical has been confirmed as a centerpiece of the 2024-2025 season lineup at The J's Lewis & Shirley White Theatre, confirming its ongoing appeal to regional theatre companies.
• The Muny (2023): The Muny in St. Louis featured a star-studded cast in 2023, including Christian Douglas, Kanisha Feliciano, and Ken Page, demonstrating the consistent quality of actors drawn to the show.

The current landscape confirms that the *West Side Story* cast is not a static entity but a dynamic, ever-evolving group of talented performers. From the Oscar-winning performance of Ariana DeBose to Rachel Zegler’s jump to Disney and Mike Faist’s role in *Challengers*, the stars of the 2021 film are dominating the entertainment world. Meanwhile, new stage casts continue to explore the themes of the New York City streets, ensuring that the powerful story of the star-crossed lovers remains a vital and relevant piece of American culture.