Rita Moreno was the consummate entertainer as she charmed a multicultural audience of blacks, whites, and Latinos, young and old, both hearing and the deaf, complete with sign language interpreter. Ms. Moreno was in town to kick off CPL's 2003-2004 Sunday Afternoons for Writers and Reader's series. In befitting the theme, the multi-talented performer enjoys a fine reputation as the narrator of audiobooks by writers such as Oscar Hijuelos and Carson Mc Cullers?. Ms. Moreno's appearance also coincided with the Library's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long activities were held at various locations throughout the city and featured poets, crafts, speakers, and biographical film works of Latino artists. In the film Pinero which was shown the day before Ms. Moreno's visit, she was featured as the mother of Nuyorican Poet, Miguel Pinero.

The petite Ms. Moreno did not seem to have lost one bit of the legendary beauty, vigor and talent that has earned her numerous awards. She was born Rosita Dolores Alverio nearly 72 years ago in Humacoa, Puerto Rico, but she looked and moved about the stage as if it were back in the day ­ when she was Anita in West Side Story. For that role, she won the Oscar. She went on to become the first actress to have ever won the big four: the Oscar, the Tony (The Ritz), Emmy (the Muppets), and Grammy (the Electric Company) awards. Along the way she has been instrumental in helping to break the color barrier for Latino actors. It remains her crowning achievement, and one that helped pave the way for a J-Lo or a Salma Hayek of today.

Filled with humorous in-sight, her autobiographical talk focused on her arrival to the states at the age of 5 with her divorced mom; (upon seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time, she thought the country was run by a woman); challenges in learning the language (no ESL back then); her development as a child performer (singing and dancing in bars while underage) and the inherent racism she met within the movie industry. Moreno's early career had been relegated to demeaning roles such as a Mexican spit-fire or Indian maiden. Meanwhile, all the meatier Hispanic roles were routinely given to Anglo actors. No one remotely thought of using a Latino actor, and definitely not in the portrayal of any non-Hispanic role.

Ms. Moreno was pleased to note among her acting credits her performances of an Irish teacher, an Italian widow, a female evangelist, an English lady, and a Southern Bell. She pointed out that only within the last 15-20 years has the industry been opening up the door to Latino actors and actresses. However, the door is only just ajar, as she quoted another Latino actor, Ricardo Montelban. She credits the independent filmmakers for helping to break down the barriers and using more Hispanic actors. She also credits her own perseverance and determination. "Find your strengths, develop them, use them to your best advantage, believe in them, and never give up!"

After her talk, Ms. Moreno devoted another hour for a Q & A session with the audience followed by another hour patiently signing autographs. Before she left, she tossed out at least two ideas which would prompt a return visit. First, if the CPL board wanted to host a symposium on the Mc Carthy? blacklist era, she would love to come participate in that. She would also love to perform with our world renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Hint, hint, hint -- Sounds like she's open for much, much more. For Cool Clevelanders who missed out, all the library's events are free and open to the public. Stay tuned. From Cool Cleveland reader Karen

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