A review by David Borzo
celebrity-pics.movieeye.com
The 2010 Smart Talk Connected Conversation Series in Des Moines saw and heard something different on April 7th: a new work in progress from an entertainer with a remarkable track record and seemingly endless amount of energy. As a performer, Rita Moreno has no peer with her success–and energy–at the age of 78. She’s unable to pass up new challenge on her life’s journey. And what a journey Rita Moreno has had–so far–an untouched record of achievement in film, stage, television and music.
No, she’s not finished. There is no retirement in Ms. Moreno’s plans. As she said, “I’m afraid that I’ll disappear” if she stopped taking creative challenges. Not much chance of Rita Moreno disappearing either: her terms on life are uninhibited. Her endless desire to keep performing is all the more impressive when you consider that she has nothing left to prove. And that voice….she still has it. The Smart Talk crowd at the Des Moines Civic Center was treated with a selection of classic songs (despite a recent cold, and with a little scrape in her voice) along with her stories of life.
Ms. Moreno’s achievements in her stellar career of nearly 65 years include (so far) an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys and a Grammy. The obligatory note regarding these four highest competitive entertainment awards: there have been less than a dozen people to achieve that milestone—and Rita Moreno is the only woman to do so. It’s the most exclusive of clubs….more men have walked on the moon.
In this 2010 Smart Talk series we have learned a lot from accomplished and inspiring women. Ms. Moreno added to the depth of her sage counsel and experiences with her work in progress, her one woman show, planned for Broadway in the next two years. (This, she noted with some bewilderment, is when she turns 80.) This sneak preview provided an engaging look at the entertainer, the daughter, the wife, the groundbreaking performer and legendary Actress. How did she manage it all over her incredible career? “Perseverance” was the simple answer. “….dream – and find a way to hold on to that dream.” It’s all “…about perseverance.”
A far cry from the child born as Rosa Dolores Alverio in Puerto Rico, who moved to New York at age five with her mother, searching for a better life. Her “rags to riches” story, ala Horatio Alger, as she mentioned, saw her in her Broadway debut at age 13. And in the true tradition of a Hollywood legend, was discovered by a talent scout, who arranged a meeting with Louis B. Mayer. Yes, THAT Louis B. Mayer. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at age 17.
Image by Richard Frasier
There were fascinating stories of the young contract player at MGM in the 1950’s; of dates with Elvis Presley, Howard Hughes, and Marlon Brando; of enduring the early typecast “exotic spitfire female” roles; and of course the story of Ms. Moreno’s major breakthrough in 1961 – her coveted role as Anita in West Side Story. She worked hard to get the role (after passing the opportunity to star in the Original Broadway production) and it earned her the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress of the year.
But of all her experiences, Ms. Moreno spoke with the greatest love and appreciation for her husband and her family. And she spoke with great admiration of her recent trip to the White House as a 2009 National Medal of Arts recipient. As she received her medal from President Barack Obama at the White House in February of 2010, she recalls with great relish, the opportunity to give the President an enthusiastic hug.
Ms. Moreno was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Her perseverance and dreams have taken her to the heights, but she won’t take it easy now. Her final advice for the Smart Talk Crowd: “…have your vision and dream, and don’t let anyone tell you what’s right for you.” Her philosophy has certainly worked for her….so far. Stay tuned.
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