The WNET group, home of PBS stations THIRTZE and WLIW21, the NJ PBS network and Long Island NPR station WLIW-FM recently honored the legendary Rita Moreno at their 2024 gala.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 7: (L-R) Rita Moreno and Ansel Elgort attend the 2024 WNET Group Gala … [+]
She was among those who paid tribute to her quick x co-star Vin Diesel, who said, “When you're an actor growing up in New York, most of the time you're standing in a long line around a building, snow on the ground, hoping to get an audition like one day. player, you're looking at Rita Moreno and thinking to yourself, 'Maybe these dreams I have are not crazy. This kind of confidence is coming by Rita Moreno”.
He added, “You're not just showing up to family, you're showing up to people who make a difference in this world. And just inviting me here, it validates my existence.”
Ansel Elgort sang “Something's Coming.” West Side Story, in which Steven Spielberg's recent film starred both he and Moren.
The evening also featured video tributes from Moreno's friends and collaborators, including Alan Cumming, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Oscar Isaac, Ludacris, Craig Melvin, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mo Rocca.
Accepting his honor, Moreno said: “Public broadcasting teaches us, enlightens us, challenges us to expand the boundaries of our neighbors and our neighborhood, to explore disparate ideas, to see from the perspective of others and to while smelling the fragrance of a bouquet full of arts.
“So in this season of our American experiment, I must remind you that our democracy now more than ever needs the presence and voice of public broadcasting like never before.”
Neal Shapiro, WNET Group CEO, spoke about the importance of access to the arts and WNET's long-standing commitment to bringing theater to its audiences.
With its tribute to Moreno, the group earlier this month launched Broadway and Beyond, a special collection of Broadway and other performing arts shows from the WNET group premiering on air and online this month and upcoming/ The programs are available on all The WNET Channels and public media platforms of the group, THIRTEEN, ALL ARTS, WLIW/WLIW-FM and NJ PBS.
They include a Tony Award-nominated comedy play Purlie Victorious: A non-Confederate move through the cotton patch (May 24 at 9 p.m.) starring Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr.; and concert Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80'sth Birthday: My favorite things (May 31 at 9 p.m.).
The on-demand broadcast will be Great performances: Black Lucy and the Bard;' Great performances: Ann; American Masters: Ailey; Great performances: Anything Goes; Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi; “Open Scenes”; Great performances: much ado about nothing; House Seats: Broadway Responds to Anti-Semitism; WLIW-FM: Broadway to Main Street; i Famous words from the cast: Julie Benko.
