George Chakiris News

Something's coming! It has been revealed that film star Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver, The Fault In Our Stars) has been cast in the leading role of Tony in Steven Spielberg's upcoming remake of the movie musical West Side Story.

'LAs Next Great Stage Star is more than a competition - it is an experience, deeply felt and expressed by these super-talented young people who are the new faces of our business. If this is any indication, the future of theatre is in good hands!!' - Multi-Million selling recording artist and author, Sam Harris

On Monday, August 27 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises came to a thrilling conclusion on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage of the El Portal Theatre in NoHo. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 10 contestants gave 150% to their monologues and songs from Broadway shows, eight contestants were eliminated and the top two finalists were selected. It was then decided,  from the consensus of the judges, to add a third runnerup. Then each of the three proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellence Jennifer Lin accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

In 1962 West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Musical. Is it still worth seeing more than half a century later? Sure is! Jerome Robbins' energetic choreography remains riveting, and Leonard Bernstein's marvelous score is a perfect frame for Sondheim's affecting lyrics. A live performance of its musical soundtrack by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra gave the film an even greater impact. The dances seemed that much more energetic and exciting, and the closing Romeo and Juliet-like death scene more wrenchingly emotional. I don't think I've ever before heard more audible signs of a movie audience trying to repress tears.

Falling during the celebration of Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday, On Broadway & SVA Theatre Present a special screening of the Academy Award-winning movie musical WEST SIDE STORY (1961), followed by a conversation with the Oscar-winning star of the film, George Chakiris, on Monday, August 20th at 5:30pm.

The thespian spirits of the many theatrical greats that have graced the boards of at the historic El Portal Theater, including the main stage's namesake Debbie Reynolds, could be felt as the annual 6 week long production of LA's Next Great Stage Star launched last night (Monday, July 23rd) to standing ovations for the lucky few talented individuals selected from a long a grueling audition process.

On Thursday, July 12th, Hollywood maven and powerhouse, Donelle Dadigan, (Co-Founder of the Jose Iturbi Foundation/President & Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Chairman of The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) invited a select group of VIPs for an evening of dinner and a concert at The Hollywood Bowl as the Los Angeles Philharmonic presented an evening of Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2 under the stars with Behzod Abduraimov on piano and conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

While the buzz recently has been about a screen adaptation of the classic musical West Side Story, The Hollywood Reporter has just revealed that award-winning director Ivo van Hove will be bringing West Side Story to the Broadway stage next season. 

Disney has pushed the Steven Spielberg-directed Indiana Jones 5 to July 9, 2021 now that Spielberg's other project, a West Side Story reboot, is in pre-production, Deadline has reported.

President/Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, along with Council Member Mitch O'Farrell and Board President Esteban Montemayor of Christopher Street West, kicked off Pride weekend with the annual 'Real to Reel' exhibit that shines the spotlight on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) community in television and film through the decades. This year's event also feature a special recognition with The Future of Hollywood Award presented to actress Stephanie Beatriz and the Legacy Award to TONY Award winning actress, Julie Newmar.

On May 31st, Rich Little, arguably the most famous impressionist in the world, was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during their Hollywood Hero ceremony with the Johnny Grant Award, along with Diahann Carroll (receiving the Mary Pickford Award).  

4/15/18 ~ HONORING GEORGE CHAKIRIS, BARRIE CHASE & TONI BASIL There's a certain feeling that invades my consciousness when I attend a Dancer's Event... It is a deep, passionate, all-encompassing love amongst it's members. And that is what I was feeling, attending a most prestigious (in my opinion) Event; The Professional Dancer's Society 31st Annual Luncheon & “Gypsy” Award Ceremony, held Yearly in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Steven Spielberg's remake of WEST SIDE STORY is one of his next projects, and a casting notice that went out today confirms those rumors. Casting director Cindy Tolan is seeking actors to play the musical's four leading roles: Maria, Tony, Bernardo and Anita. All four actors must be able to sing, and Maria, Anita and Bernardo must be able to speak Spanish.

On April 15,2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, The Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) 31st Gypsy Awards Luncheon honored dancers George Chakiris and Barrie Chase.  The event included choreography Award to Toni Basil.

One of the most beloved and captivating musicals in Hollywood history, 'West Side Story' will return to movie theaters for two days only this June as Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies expand the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series, which brings legendary motion pictures back to cinemas across the country every month. Further enhancing this big-screen presentation, TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz will introduce the film and present post-show commentary.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Steven Spielberg's remake of WEST SIDE STORY is one of his next projects, and a casting notice that went out today confirms those rumors. Casting director Cindy Tolan is seeking actors to play the musical's four leading roles: Maria, Tony, Bernardo and Anita. All four actors must be able to sing, and Maria, Anita and Bernardo must be able to speak Spanish.

On this day in 1962, the groundbreaking screen adaptation of Jerome Robbin's West Side Story swept the Academy Awards, taking home a whopping ten wins, including Best Picture. Check out archived footage below to see Rita Moreno, George Charkiris, and the whole West Side Story team take home awards for this silver screen classic!

Academy Award and Golden Globe winning performer George Chakiris and acclaimed dancer, Barrie Chase have been named the honorees for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.  Emmy and Grammy nominated choreographer/director/singer Toni Basil will receive the organization's Choreographer's Award.  PDS' 31st Anniversary Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.

Actress and former Miss America, Lee Meriwether, was honored in Los Angeles on February 10th by Theatre West; the theatre company she helped found 55 years ago.  Aside from originating the role of  Catwomen on Batman in the 1960s, Meriwether starred in such series as Time Tunnel, Barnaby Jones,  All My Children, Star Trek and many more.