Congratulations to Ariana DeBose for winning the Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance as Anita in “West Side Story” (2021). Rita Moreno won the same award for playing Anita in the 1964 version of the musical.
In her acceptance speech DeBose spoke about the importance of representation and opening doors for marginalized people.
“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes. You see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength in life through art. And that is, I think, what we’re here to celebrate.”
DeBose came out to her grandparents in 2015. She identifies as Queer.
In 2017 she met Sue Makkoo, a costume designer and professor, while working on Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (DeBose played Disco Donna). They are currently in a relationship and attended the 2022 Oscar’s ceremony together.
DeBose and actress Jo Ellen Pellmen created the Unruly Hearts Initiative to help young people connect with organizations and charities that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
OSCAR 2022 | Timothée Chalamet rockstar del red carpet. L'inclusività dilaga nei premi a miglior film, migliori attori non protagonisti e regia
OSCAR 2022 | Timothée Chalamet rockstar del red carpet. L’inclusività dilaga nei premi a miglior film, migliori attori non protagonisti e regia
Serata movimentata quella degli Oscar 2022. L’evento più eclatante è stato Will Smith che ha mollato un pugno a Chris Rock salendo sul palco: in realtà si trattava di una manata ma è stato un gesto di violenza gratuito e non necessario. La battuta di Chris sui capelli rasati di Jada Pinkett Smith è stata infelice perché l’ha paragonata a G.I. Jane, forse però non sapeva che la moglie di Smith ha…
Asking $10 per shirt, plus $3 shipping. The more you buy the cheaper shipping is. If you buy 4 or more, shipping is free. I am also open to trading them for playbills or other memorabilia.
The shirts that are available are -Broadway Cares size 2xl - Broadway Cares size 2Xl -Soul Doctor size L - Little Mermaid Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula Babydoll size L Shrek the Musical title logo size 2Xl Tarzan Size 2XL God spell Red 2XL West Side Story XL Hair Summer of Love XL Hairspray XL Playbill XL Dream girls 2XL Tick tick boom Babydoll Large God spell Black XL Lysistrata Jones 2XL
a/n: part two kiddies. lmk what u think! i’m super new to writing for riff so be kind.
You could hear the loud pulse of the music coming from the gym all the way outside as you made your way to the doors. The rush of blood in your ears and the thundering music made the anticipation even more intense; you knew Riff was supposed to be on his best behavior for both yours and Tony’s sakes, but that had never stopped Riff’s temper before.
He must’ve seen your hesitation at the door because Riff snaked a casual arm around your waist as he grabbed the door, guiding you through with his hand on the small of your back. You felt grateful for the steadying hand as you entered the gym, taking a deep breath. The Sharks gave a passing glance but didn’t stare much beyond that. Anyone who dared to leer a little longer earned a glare from Riff, which generally made those staring turn away.
You found Anybodys and a few of the other guys standing near the bleachers, a bit away from the dance floor.
“You guys forget how a dance works? You’re being a bunch of wall pansies!” You said as Riff’s hand left your waist to follow Tony, presumably in search of Maria.
“We was just waitin’ for ya to get here. It was your idea for the dance, the Sharks already was on the dance floor when we got here.” Mouthpiece piped up.
“Alright, then let’s go dance!” You grabbed Mouthpiece and Action by the collar, one in each hand, and dragged them in the direction of the dance floor. Grazi waltzed by Mouthpiece and gave a wink, sending him running after her. That left you to dance with Action. You grinned as he grabbed your hand and spun you to the beat of the song. A few minutes passed and the song finally ended, giving you a second to finally breathe. You curtseyed to Action as a thank you for the dance and went off in search of Riff and Tony.
Tony was across the gym having what looked like an awkward and intense conversation with Bernardo, with Riff standing nearby glaring daggers. You couldn’t make out what they were saying over the action happening in the gym, but you could tell it was not positive. Riff began gesturing crudely with his hands, which was your cue to step in.
“Yeah alright,” Riff said. “You can shove it u-” You cut Riff off by taking his hand in yours and stepping in front of him.
“What’s goin’ on here, Bernardo?” You asked, glancing at Maria, who was standing nearby.
“Nothing that concerns you. I was just, ah, having a talk with your… boys.” His eyes ran over Riff.
“Alright well, we’ll leave you and Tony to talk things through.” You nodded to Tony and pulled Riff along behind you, who went with only a little resistance.
“Action still your dance partner? I was surprised to see youse dancing considering his two left feet!” Riff smirked as you turned around, folding your arms over your chest. His smirk faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. “What’s with the silent treatment, Girly Girl?” He was met with more silence. The smirk dropped altogether.
“I told you to be careful with Bernardo, Riff. That treaty we struck with them? It’s on such thin ice that anything you do could set him off.”
“That’s just such bullshit! Why should I be on my best behavior when he isn’t!”
“Riff,” You said, trying to keep your voice steady. “He gets set off because you say things. He doesn’t want war, he does what he has to in retaliation for your insults and fights with the other Sharks.” Riff rested his hands on his hips and looked up, taking a deep breath. That was what he always did when he knew you were right.
The smirk reappeared on his face, causing your resolve to melt. You couldn’t help but grin as he extended his hand, taking you to the center of the dance floor beside Anita and Bernardo. You regarded Bernardo and Anita with a nod, earning one in return. They had no problems with you, or even really with Tony; it was Riff and the other Jets they were wary of.
Riff spun you around, causing your dress to flare and flow around you as he pulled you in close. He picked you up and spun you around and onto his hip, then back again. Riff was your perfect dance partner, he could always keep up the best. Action made you laugh while you were dancing; Riff was right, he totally had two left feet. Tony was tall and awkward when it came to dancing and was never really sure of himself. You whipped your hair around as you spun and were dipped. One song bled into another and another until you needed to take a breather and you could tell Riff was feeling it too.
“You really do know your stuff, Girly Girl.” Riff handed you a small cup of punch. You smiled as you took a sip.
“We learned together, Buddy Boy.”
“Ah yeah, of course.”
“That’s why we make the best dance partners.” You smoothed out your dress as you smiled up at Riff, towering over you.
He offered a genuine smile and wiggled his eyebrows at you. “Ready to show them whose the best dancers in this town are?”
“You know it!” You allowed him to pull you up but he pulled a little too hard, forcing you to fall into him. You were basically nose to nose, frozen with unsureness. Riff swallowed and gave a fleeting glance at your lips before steadying you.
“Uh, sorry. Don’t know my own strength I guess,” He laughed breathily, turning a light shade of pink. You blinked.
“No problem. Uh, ready to dance?” Riff nodded quickly and allowed you to pull him back onto the floor.
———————————————————-
“That was incredible!” You gushed. After the dance had ended and everyone was making their way out, Bernardo approached you. You didn’t even realize until you felt Riff tense up beside you.
“Chica,” He said, briefly glancing at both Tony and Riff.
“She has a name, Nardo.” Maria said quietly from beside Tony.
“You are right. Lo siento, Señorita. What is your name?” Bernardo asked, eyeing the twitch in Riff’s jaw.
“(Y/N).” Bernardo nodded in acknowledgement.
“Well, (Y/N), I wanted to thank you for a successful night. I think this is an occasion that should, uh, happen more often. We can discuss later, of course, but I wanted to say that much. So, gracias.” You smiled and stood before him, offering your hand for him to shake.
“Si, Bernardo. Estoy feliz de que hayamos podido hacer que esto suceda.” Bernardo smiled.
“Fue un placer.” Maria stood and followed Bernardo a few steps away, having a hushed conversation in quick Spanish.
“Didn’t know you knew such good Spanish, there, Girly Girl.” Riff’s voice was rough, but seemingly more from surprise than anything else.
“I read a lot of it in a book last Summer. Guess I learned enough to pick up a thing or two.” An absentminded smile crossed your face thinking about the previous Summer, spent partially with Riff and Tony in the library, teaching them different things they had been missing when they skipped school every other day. Riff shrugged his jacket back on as Tony and Maria exited the gym to your left.
“Nicea them to wait for us.” Riff sounded more playful than annoyed. You waved him off.
“It’s fine, let’s get outta here.” You and Riff walked side by side in silence for a little while, Riff being the one to break it.
“So…” He trailed off. He seemed nervous, something he never really had experienced before. He was the leader of one of the most feared gangs on the West side, why does something as simple as an unrequited crush make him so nervous? Because it had never happened before, or the fact that it was you?
“So…” You mimicked, snickering. You were trying to calm your nerves as Riff sucked in a breath. The last time the tension in the air was this palpable, Riff had told you he’d started seeing Graziella, a friend of yours and the Jets.
“Listen, (Y/N),” You sucked in a breath. Riff only used your real name when it was something serious. “I gotta tell ya somethin.” You paused in the street, facing Riff. His eyes were shining. He chuckled a little, awkwardly, taking your hands in his larger ones. “You in that dress tonight, seeing Tony and Maria at the dance togedah and then ya dancing with Action really got me thinking; I love youse, Girly Girl. Dancing with ya is my favorite thing and brings me unexplainable happiness that I don’t remembah the last time I felt. Tony’s been tellin’ me I should tell you for months now but I’ve just been concerned you wouldn’t feel the same, bein’ friends for so long and….” He trailed off, looking down at his shoes. One particular rock on the ground suddenly became very interesting.
You smiled and took his face in your hands, forcing him to look at you. He closed his eyes for a second at the feeling of your hand on his face once again. He opened his eyes and grinned back, showing the crinkles that form at his eyes when he genuinely smiles.
“Ya gotta say somethin’ here, Girly Girl. Your silence is killin’ me.” He rested his hands on your hips.
“Of course I love ya, Riff. Do you not recall how jealous I was over you and Grazi?”
“Not in the slightest, Doll. I think I was a little busy though, gettin’ made out with and whatevah.” You rolled your eyes, scrunching up your nose at the thought. “Hey, hey. Don’t be like that, you got me now.” Riff said softly, curling a finger under your chin, forcing you to look up at him. You stood firm, staring into his eyes. He broke out into a sly grin and crashed his lips onto yours, still grinning into the kiss. You started giggling as soon as you broke apart.
He grabbed your hand and spun you around, causing your dress to fan out around you, Riff’s grin spreading wider across his face. You hadn’t seen him look that happy in a long, long time. The fact that you had caused it made it all the more special.
inspired by “green green dress” from tick tick boom by jonathan larson. part 2 to follow shortly :)
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You hummed to yourself as you started buttoning up the back of your dress, admiring yourself in the mirror. You smiled slyly at your reflection as you pulled and fussed at your hair for a moment, satisfied after a few pulls.
Somewhere upstairs you heard a door shut and male voices going back and forth in an excited manner. You were quiet for a second, listening.
“I don’t know man!” You heard a familiar voice saying.
“Come on, Riff. Youse known this girl our entire lives. I don’t know what the big deal is,” Tony responded. “The worst that can happen is she doesn’t feel that way about you.”
“Yeah I hear ya but it’s like I said, I’m a loudmouth that doesn’t know when to shut it. It’s all fine when it’s the Jets or even the Sharks but with her, I get all clammed up and start stutterin. I’ve never been that way before! Even with Grazi…” He trailed off after he said Grazi’s name.
You shook your head and adjusted your necklace. There was another dance going on at the gym tonight and you were determined to have fun. Lately, you just couldn’t get the tall wavy haired boy out of your head. You’d been friends with him forever and were distantly happy when he had started going with Grazi, but it was uncharacteristically difficult for you to not feel a little jealous.
You’d known Riff just as long as you had known Tony and had always been very close with both boys. In the last few years though, something had changed between you and Riff. It was unexplainable, but you knew there was something different; you just couldn’t put your finger on it.
Tonight, you were determined to push Riff out of your head and enjoy the time you got with your friends, with Tony, with the Jets. Your newfound truce with the Sharks was the cause for the dance tonight, a deal you had helped Riff and Tony to settle with Bernardo only a few days ago after there was another death as a result of a stupid rumble. Poor Baby John.
The sudden resurrection of the conversation took you out of your thoughts.
“You and Grazi broke up 6 months ago, Riff, because YOU dumped her,” You imagined Tony in Riff’s face, poking his finger into his chest. Tony did that every time he got frustrated and wanted to get his point across more substantially, to Riff especially.
“Whatevah, Ton. I may be unable to tell the lovely lady how I feel, but I’m not in nearly as much trouble as you is. You have your eye on that Maria girl, and we both know how Bernardo feels about you, anyhow. You better watch yourself.” The boys had moved from the kitchen so your ability to hear them had all but vanished. It was the voice that appeared behind you that startled the hell out of you.
“Mija, you look beautiful.” Valentina’s sudden appearance behind you caused you to jump. You smiled softly.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you givin me a job here, I woulda never been able to afford it.” Valentina simply shook her head and took your hands in her own.
“Nonsense. It made more sense to have your help, Tony and I could not have run the entire store without your help. Besides, you were the one who stopped that stealing problem,” She replied with an arched eyebrow.
You pulled away, unable to contain your small smile. It was easier than it sounded; Riff would pretty much do anything you asked without hesitation; within reason, of course. It didn’t stop his angry fiery desire to beat the shit out of everything in his way.
After a while, it was easier to lecture him until he stopped listening as you cleaned his cuts and made sure he hadn’t broken anything. He would never go to a hospital for anything, so you became the personal nurse of the Jets. Riff in particular. He was known for looking for trouble and found it at almost every turn, which fueled his vendetta against the world.
“Holy cannoli, Doll. You sure look nice,” Riff looked bewildered as he slowly descended the stairs, staring at you in a way he never had before. Not that you noticed before, anyway.
You grinned and gave a little twirl. A sly grin crossed his face. Tony was right behind him.
“Lookin’ good, kiddo,” Tony remarked. You gave a little curtsey.
“You kids be good tonight, I do not want to hear about any funny business!” Valentina said, giving a harsh look to Riff. He put his hands up in mock surrender.
“I won’t be doin’ nothing, Senorita. Just enjoying the dance like everybody else.” Riff grabbed your hand and gave you a twirl. You couldn’t help but giggle as your dress fanned out around you. Riff smiled to himself as he watched you dance around the room. He loved you more every day and it only got worse in moments like these, where you were just so unapologetically yourself and so carefree. He felt guilty that his burning anger had caused you to constantly keep your eye on him so that he wouldn’t do anything that was totally unforgivable or unable to be fixed.
It was definitely something that he was working on, but it was still a large part of him that he could not always contain. You were never so upset with him, though, that it couldn’t be worked out. That was another thing he was so grateful to both you and Tony and the Jets for. He may have been a screw up, but he did feel like he had a place in the world with you two and the Jets.
“Are youse ready to go?” Tony asked, shrugging his coat on. You looked to Riff and smiled. “I am if you are!” You said. Riff gave a curt nod and took off up the stairs.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Valentina called after you. You flashed a grin and ran out the door.
