'West Side Story' stars in Naperville, Woodridge

Three stars of the 1961 motion picture musical "West Side Story" will reunite to discuss their work in the hit movie this weekend. George Chakiris (Bernardo), Rita Moreno (Anita) and Russ Tamblyn (Riff) will appear before screenings of "West Side Story" on Saturday at Hollywood Palms in Naperville, and Sunday at Hollywood Boulevard in Woodridge.

I called Chakiris, now 75, at his home on the West coast to ask him a few "West Side" questions, such as how he got along with co-director and legendary Broadway choreographer Jerome Robbins before he was fired about halfway through the shooting?

"I had such respect for this man," Chakiris said. "I mean, pleasing him was the one thing I wanted to do, because if it was OK with him, it was really OK, because he was such a perfectionist."

Not everyone thought working for taskmaster Robbins was such an honor. Chakiris said that Robbins was so demanding during the number "Cool" that cast members wore knee pads to absorb the impact of performing take after take.

"When we finished filming 'Cool,' the Jets piled all their knee pads in front of Jerry's dressing room on the lot and burned them," Chakiris said.

Any regrets?

"When I was younger, I was under contract and did what I was told," the Ohio-born star said. "I wish I had been a New Yorker. They're smarter and more savvy than I was about contracts and dealing with managers and agents. I should have led them in my career, but I didn't know I could call my own shots."

These days, Chakiris has segued into silversmithing, an art he has turned into a side business. He's working on a Web site, georgechakiriscollections.com, where fans will be able to see his work soon.

For "West Side Story" information and tickets, go to atriptothemovies.com.

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