Rita Moreno.Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty
Rita Morenois busier than ever as she rings in her 90th birthday.
The Oscar winner celebrated among her close family and friends on Saturday, a day afterSteven Spielberg’sWest Side Story— which she co-produced and stars in — landed in theaters.
Taking place at her home in Berkeley, California, a representative for Moreno tells PEOPLE it was an “intimate gathering” that was smaller than normal amid theCOVID-19 pandemic. The rep says that the party was composed of 14 of the star’s closest friends and family members, including author, Amy Tan.
All the guests took turns roasting Moreno during a Mediterranean-themed chef-catered dinner, the rep adds.
Rita Moreno
Also Moreno’s local theater, The Orinda Theater in Orinda, Calif. changed its marquee to feature a special ‘Happy Birthday Rita Moreno’ message.
Fernanda Fisher
In a statement toDeadline, Moreno reflected on her milestone birthday and being alive for nine decades.
“It doesn’t feel any different. On the face of it, nothing has changed,” she explained. “I’m older and deeply grateful for still being here. And inevitably, now there is concern about what’s next afterWest Side Story. And anyone who tells you otherwise is a damn liar.”
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Moreno won the Academy Award in 1962, a year after the release of the 1961 original version of the musical film in which she played Anita.
In Spielberg’s reimagining of the hit musical, Moreno plays Valentina, the widow of Doc who offersAnsel Elgort’s Tony a new chance at life and a job.
Ariana DeBose now stars as Anita opposite newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria. Moreno and DeBose, 30, spoke about working together onNBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.
Moreno admitted it was “bizarre” to see DeBoseplay the part for which she won an Oscar almost 60 years ago.
“She is a beautiful Anita in the movie,” Moreno said in the interview. “It was so bizarre because suddenly I was playing another role and she was playing Anita.”
RELATED VIDEO: Rita Moreno Recycles Her 1962 Oscars Dress 56 Years Later for the 2018 Academy Awards
When Holt asked DeBose if she was in “awe” of Moreno, she answered, “Oh, absolutely.”
“She means a lot to me. She means a lot to the Puerto Rican community, to the Latino community at large, and to the entertainment industry at large,” DeBose continued.
The actress, who has also starred inThe PromandHamilton, said she didn’t try to play Moreno’s version of Anita in the new Spielberg reimagining of the iconic musical.
Silver Screen Collection/Getty; Niko Tavernise / © 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett
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In November,DeBose revealed that Moreno had offered her a tipfor portraying Anita, saying, “She told me, ‘Niña, I’ll tell you anything you want to know.’ "
“She empowered me, encouraged me to do my own thing,” DeBose said. “She did tell me one note, but I won’t tell you what it was.”
DeBose did share, however, “She said, ‘I think there’s more power in a different delivery,'” adding, “I took the note, it was a good note.”
source: people.com
