With West Side Story finally getting its first Broadway revival, photographer Mark Seliger re-creates scenes from the beloved 1961 film version with the help of Jennifer Lopez and friends. Maria, Tony, Anita, Bernardo, and Riff live again-at least until the end of Act I. Jim Windolf fills in the scenario. Related: "Broadway Goes West," by James Wolcotthttp://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/03/west-side-story-portfolio200903
BORN TO IT
With this pose Jennifer Lopez captures the essence of Anita, the defiant Latina immigrant. Rita Moreno won an Oscar for her Anita in the film version-and would go on to win an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony in a show-business maneuver so rare that it is now referred to as "the Moreno sweep." While Lopez's mantel isn't quite that full, she is equally at ease on-screen, in the recording studio, and onstage.
THE DRESS SHOP
Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro), is focused on his girlfriend, Anita (Jennifer Lopez), whose far-off gaze suggests she dreams of moving beyond the confines of the seamstress's life. Bernardo's little sister-the heroine of the film's Romeo-and-Juliet drama-is Maria, here brought back to life by ingenue Camilla Belle, who played a fetching cavewoman in the would-be international blockbuster 10,000 B.C. Maria's initial disappointment with the white dress sewn for her by Anita soon gives way to anticipation as she realizes the dress will cause her to stand out at the dance, where trouble shall begin in earnest.
THE DANCE
Between Maria (Camilla Belle, far left) and Tony (Ben Barnes, far right, also known as Prince Caspian), it is dancing, dancing, dancing. Latin steps predominate on the left, as the Sharks and their ladies give America a taste of the culture to come. On the right, we have a series of funky Anglo moves, as the Jets and their gals go rhythmically at it. On either side, our two tragic protagonists have eyes only for each other. The lead Sharks dancers are Anita (J.Lo, in an incredible pose) and Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro). The Jet girl dancing with Riff (Chris Evans) is played by Ashley Tisdale (of High School Musical fame). Rounding out the Sharks, left to right: Minka Kelly (she's Lyla on Friday Night Lights), Jay Hernandez, Natalie Martinez (Death Race), Brandon T. Jackson, Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints). On the Jets' side: Sean Faris (Never Back Down), Shane Lynch (she's gonna be big), Robert Pattinson, Cam Gigandet, Trilby Glover (88 Minutes), Brittany Snow (Hairspray), Drake Bell.
THE ROOFTOP
Before West Side Story takes its tragic turn, Anita (Jennifer Lopez, amazing in purple) drives the film's most effervescent and sexually charged scene: the rocking rooftop song-and-dance sequence set to "America." The lyrics, by a young Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, etc.), give Anita all the ammunition she needs to top the verbal thrusts and parries delivered by Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro, to the left of J.Lo) and his band of toughs. From left to right: Jay Hernandez, Brandon T. Jackson, Sean Faris, Shane Lynch, Melonie Diaz, Minka Kelly, Natalie Martinez.













well it was at the Love Actually premiere in
London i got an autograph even so i didn't know who he was back then.
