I'm not sure which specific 'Rita' is being referred to in the context of 'West Side Story'. There are many characters in the story, but no one named Rita that is extremely well - known in the original musical or movie. It could be a name given to a minor character in a particular production or someone's personal interpretation.
Since there is no Rita in the normal 'West Side Story', there is no real significance in the context of the original. However, if in a non - standard version, it could depend on what role she plays. For example, if she is a friend of one of the main characters, she might play a role in providing support or different perspectives.
Rita Moreno is an actress who played a significant role in 'West Side Story'. She was remarkable in the movie and her performance added a lot of depth to the story.