A Conversation with Rita Moreno and West Side Story in 70mm
A Conversation with Rita Moreno and West Side Story in 70mm
SOLD OUT. Advance tickets no longer available; standby tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join Academy Award®-winning actress and Academy Museum Gala honoree Rita Moreno for a conversation on her life and iconic eight-decade long career. The conversation will be followed by a screening of West Side Story (1961) in 70 mm.
Rita Moreno is a true Hollywood and Broadway legend, having been honored and recognized for her critically acclaimed performances during her more than 80-year career. She has won all four of the most prestigious performing art awards: an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys, and a Grammy. Her countless credits span more than eight decades, beginning with her Broadway debut at age 13. In addition, Moreno has starred on London's West End, appeared in more than 70 feature films, countless television shows, and has performed in numerous regional theaters, including her one woman show, Life Without Makeup, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. She continues to tour the country appearing at speaking engagements and lectures.
Moreno recently starred in such films as The Prank (2022), a comedy-horror film that released in theaters nationwide and the Netflix film Family Switch, which was released on the platform in December, 2023. Recently, she has starred in several blockbuster films, including Fast X (2023) and 80 for Brady (2023); a holiday flick for Lifetime-TV, Santa Bootcamp (2022); and hosted the 30th Anniversary Special of Beauty and The Beast on ABC-TV.
Moreno also co-starred and served as an Executive Producer in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story (2021). Her documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, had its world debut at Sundance Film Festival and then released in theaters nationwide. The film also debuted on TV as part of PBS’s American Masters series and is now streaming on Netflix. Moreno also appeared in the widely popular Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic TV sitcom, One Day at a Time, which aired for 4 seasons.
In 2015, Moreno released her first ever all-Spanish language album, Una Vez Más, produced by good friend, Emilio Estefan. She is also a New York Times bestselling author with her first book, Rita Moreno: A Memoir, published by Celebra Books.
Recipient of the Peabody Career Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture, she was also honored by her peers as the 50th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. She has also served as Grand Marshall for both the Rose Parade and National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Moreno is the recipient Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush, the highest civilian award of the United States, and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons.
***
West Side Story in 70mm
Director Robert Wise teamed up with legendary Broadway director-choreographer Jerome Robbins for this film version of the acclaimed stage musical that transposed the story of Romeo and Juliet to contemporaneous New York. Maria (Natalie Wood) is a young Puerto Rican girl whose love for the Polish-American Tony (Richard Beymer) exacerbates the conflict between two local street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The film won 10 Oscars including Directing and Best Picture, as well as acting awards for the supporting performances of George Chakiris and Rita Moreno, who made Academy history as the first Latina to win an acting Oscar. Her vibrant, unforgettable performance as Anita includes classic renditions of the Bernstein-Sondheim songs “America” and “A Boy Like That.” The star’s relationship with West Side Story came full circle when she played the shopkeeper Valentina in director Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake, for which Ariana De Bose won an Oscar for her own portrayal of Anita.
Back to Main Series
Public Program
Fri, Dec 6, 2024
An Evening with Diane Warren featuring Armageddon
Join us for a conversation with one of the most prolific artists of all time, 15-time Oscar nominated songwriter Diane Warren followed by a screening of Armageddon (1998).
Public Program
Sat, Dec 14, 2024
Making a Movie Poster with Kenny Gravillis
The Academy Museum welcomes award-winning graphic designer and creative director Kenny Gravillis for an inside look at the making of the modern-day movie poster.
Public Program
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
Palace Costume: Inside Hollywood’s Best Kept Fashion Secret Conversation and Book Signing
Go behind the scenes into Palace Costume & Prop Co., an LA film-industry haven of dresses, gowns, garments, accessories, props, and jewelry featured in iconic movies for over 50 years. Author Mimi Haddon discusses her new book with Palace Costume owner Melody Barnett and costume designers Shirley Kurata and Mark Bridges.
Public Program
The Work of Black VFX Artists
Six Black visual effects (VFX) artists discuss their creative processes, victories, and challenges.
Public Program
Hildur Guðnadóttir
A conversation with Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir and Academy Museum Exhibitions Curator Jenny He.
Public Program
Spike Lee In Conversation With Shaka King
The legendary filmmaker is joined by Shaka King for a virtual in-depth conversation on the Director’s Inspiration gallery
Film Program
Y Tu Mamá También 20th Anniversary
A career-spanning conversation between Oscar-winning collaborators: Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki and Alfonso Cuarón.
Public Program
Creating an Inclusive Museum
A Conversation with Producers Effie Brown and Heather Rae, and Academy Museum’s Doris Berger and Jacqueline Stewart
Public Program
The Art and Science of Cinema
Join Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao in conversation with BAFTA-winning editor Mary Sweeney and neuroscientist Jonas Kaplan.
Public Program
Breaking the Oscars® Ceiling
Oscar-winning women Sophia Loren, Whoopi Goldberg, Marlee Matlin, and Buffy Sainte-Marie discuss their journeys
Education Program
Hayao Miyazaki Exhibition Conversation
Academy Museum curators Jessica Niebel and J. Raúl Guzmán with special guest scholar Susan Napier of Tufts University in conversation on visionary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
Public Program
Gallery Conversation: Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black was one of the most successful child actors of her time. Temple earned a special Academy Award for her contributions to screen entertainment in 1934.
Public Program
Activism and Film
Exploring the intersections of activism and filmmaking, Founder and President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation Dolores Huerta will be in conversation with actress, producer, director, entrepreneur, and activist Eva Longoria
Public Program
Saturday, September 17th 2022
An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather
Sacheen Littlefeather invites you to a special celebration of live Native American performances featuring a long-awaited statement of apology from the Academy.
Education Program
Saturday, July 29, 2023
The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Book Signing and Conversation
Join the Academy Museum for an evening with two-time Academy Award–winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Do the Right Thing, Black Panther) for an illustrative look at her legendary career. Conversation moderated by Academy Museum Director and President Jaqueline Stewart.
Public Program
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
An Evening with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Marking the release of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s limited edition two-volume book published by TASCHEN, join us for an evening celebrating Schwarzenegger’s life, accomplishments, and history of unforgettable performances.
Public Program
September 3, 2023
Drawing Directors with Randal Kleiser
Museum Members-only Conversation and Book Signing.
Public Program
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Designing Jaws with Joe Alves
Join the museum for a conversation and book signing with production designer Joe Alves and author Dennis Prince of Joe Alves: Designing Jaws.
Public Program
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Sofia Coppola: Archive Book Signing and Conversation
Join the Academy Museum as we welcome director and Academy Award–winning screenwriter Sofia Coppola for a signing of her book Archive and conversation with our Teen Council.
Education Program
Saturday, January 6th
Gallery Conversation with Gregory Nava
Join us for a conversation with director, writer, and producer Gregory Nava as he discusses the influences and impact on his creativity as a filmmaker as well as El Norte (1983).
Public Program
April 6, 2024
Conversation with John Waters, the Pope of Trash
John Waters in person at the Academy Museum.
Public Program
April 19, 2024
A Conversation on Climate Change and Activism with Jane Fonda and Dr. Naomi Oreskes
Presented by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Berggruen Institute
Public Program
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Celebrating the Music of Indian Cinema and Academy Award History
Celebrating the Music of Indian Cinema
Education
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Sensing: Scratch, Sniff and Sip, a Conversation and workshop inspired by the exhibition, John Waters: Pope of Trash
Sensing: Scratch, Sniff, and Sip is inspired by the exhibition John Waters: Pope of Trash. Join us for an evening of conversation, cocktail, and perfume making!
Education Program
Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
Let's Talk w/ Ricki Lake
A conversation with actress Ricki Lake and John Waters: Pope of Trash curators Jenny He and Dara Jaffe.
Public Program
Sat, Sep 14, 2024
American Fiction: A Conversation with Cord Jefferson and Dr. Patricia Hill Collins
The Academy Museum and Berggruen Institute presents Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Cord Jefferson in conversation with Dr. Patricia Hill Collins, followed by a screening of his film American Fiction (2023).