[75][76], The Novosibirsk Globus Theatre staged the musical in Russia in 2007 under the leadership of conductor Keith Clark, a former pupil of Bernstein's, who also conducted the 2010 Moscow production. The set consists mostly of large screens featuring video, several cast members carry iPhones, and the Jets are not all white. The cast includes Shereen Pimentel as Maria, Isaac Cole Powell as Tony, Amar Ramasar as Bernardo, Thomas Jay Ryan as Lt. Schrank and Yesenia Ayala as Anita, who is also set to appear in the upcoming film remake. Angry at the death of another friend, the Jets move towards the Sharks but Maria takes Chino's gun and tells everyone that "all of [them]" killed Tony and the others because of their hate for each other, and, "Now I can kill too, because now I have hate!" West Side Story was actually the first piece of popular music our family ever allowed into the home. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. The next day, Maria is in a very happy mood at the bridal shop, as she anticipates seeing Tony again, but she is dismayed when she learns about the upcoming rumble from Anita. Now they actually will be. The two draw their switchblades and get in a fight ("The Rumble"). The film's screenplay is expected to hew more closely to the Broadway script than to the 1961 film adaptation directed by Robert Wise and J… [17], The show was nearly complete in the fall of 1956, but almost everyone on the creative team needed to fulfill other commitments first. West Side Story is a timeless classic, but despite six decades of history, you've never seen a production like this one. Which of these terrible action movies would make a great ironic musical? With the help of Oscar Hammerstein, Laurents convinced Bernstein and Sondheim to move "One Hand, One Heart", which he considered too pristine for the balcony scene, to the scene set in the bridal shop, and as a result "Tonight" was written to replace it. The story is set in the mid 1950s in the Upper West Side of New York City, a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood. [108][109], From 1973 to 2004, Wild Side Story, a camp parody musical, based loosely on West Side Story and adapting parts of the musical's music and lyrics, was performed a total of more than 500 times in Miami Beach, Florida, Stockholm, Gran Canaria and Los Angeles. West Side Story shows how racism and xenophobia create a system that dooms the youths of working class families. West Side Story is an upcoming American romantic musical drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner and choreography by Justin Peck. [35] David Holliday, who had been playing Gladhand since the London opening, took over as Tony. Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, Columbus Avenue & West 60th Street, New York City, New York, USA. [8], Laurents was soon hired to write the screenplay for a remake of the 1934 Greta Garbo film The Painted Veil for Ava Gardner. Use the HTML below. When a gang leader advises his cohorts to play it "Cool", the intolerable tension between an effort at control and the instinctive drives of these potential killers is stingingly graphic. The title was changed to West Side Story when the creators realized that gang warfare in New York had moved from the East Side to the West. Another song, "Kid Stuff", was added and quickly removed during the Washington, D.C. tryout when Laurents convinced the others it was helping tip the balance of the show into typical musical comedy.[14]. Rita Moreno, as Anita, delivers what was probably her best performance in the movies, in particular her dancing and singing in "America," while Russ Tamblyn, as Rif, the charismatic leader of the Jets, is seldom given the credit he deserved. A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies. Written by Maxine Gordon was Anybodys. A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound. Sondheim did not care for Laurents' opinion. Tony attempts to intervene, inadvertently leading to Riff being fatally stabbed by Bernardo. [15] Tony and Maria's duet, "One Hand, One Heart", was originally intended for Cunegonde in Candide. West Side Story: The Jets, the Sharks, and the Making of a Classic (Turner Classic Movies) The Jets get antsy while waiting for the Sharks inside Doc's drugstore. Anybodys arrives and tells the Jets that she has been spying on the Puerto Ricans; she has discovered that Chino has a gun and is looking for Tony. West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". [19] Every other producer had already turned down the show, deeming it too dark and depressing. Robbins demanded and received a "Conceived by" credit, and used it to justify his making major decisions regarding changes in the show without consulting the others. The original orchestra consisted of 31 players: a large Broadway pit orchestra enhanced to include 5 percussionists, a guitarist and a piano/celesta player.[87]. Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. The tomboy Anybodys, who stubbornly wishes that she could become a Jet, tells Tony to flee from the scene at the last moment and flees with the knives. [24] As the rehearsals wore on, Bernstein fought to keep his score together, as other members of the team called on him to cut out more and more of the sweeping or complex "operatic" passages. [citation needed] The Japanese Takarazuka Revue has performed the show twice. Walter Kerr wrote in the New York Herald Tribune on September 27, 1957:[82]. When the knives come out, and bodies begin to fly wildly through space under buttermilk clouds, the sheer visual excitement is breathtaking .... Mr. Bernstein has permitted himself a few moments of graceful, lingering melody: in a yearning "Maria", in the hushed falling line of "Tonight", in the wistful declaration of "I Have a Love". The cast starred Larry Kert as Tony, Carol Lawrence as Maria, Chita Rivera as Anita and David Winters as Baby John. [49][50] The cast recording won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. [51] In July 2010, the producers reduced the size of the orchestra, replacing five musicians with an off-stage synthesizer. His painted backdrops were stunning, but the sets were, for the most part, either shabby looking or too stylized. The two met at The Beverly Hills Hotel, and the conversation turned to juvenile delinquent gangs, a fairly recent social phenomenon that had received major coverage on the front pages of the morning newspapers due to a Chicano turf war. [32] The other notable cast members in the original production were: Riff: Michael Callan, A-Rab: Tony Mordente, Big Deal: Martin Charnin, Gee-Tar: Tommy Abbott, Chino: Jamie Sanchez, Rosalia: Marilyn Cooper, Consuela [sic]: Reri Grist, Doc: Art Smith and Francisca: Elizabeth Taylor. The production was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1958,[3] but the award for Best Musical went to Meredith Willson's The Music Man; Robbins won the Tony Award for his choreography and Oliver Smith won for his scenic designs. Serenade ultimately was shelved. Gualberto Castro played the part of Tony; Maria Medina was Maria; among other cast members was Macaria. He liked it but decided to ask Abbott, his longtime mentor, for his opinion, and Abbott advised him to turn it down. West Side Story, American musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by Shakespeare ’s Romeo and Juliet. Maria holds Tony in her arms (and sings a quiet, brief reprise of "Somewhere") as he dies. A grieving Anita arrives at Maria's apartment. "[85] It was orchestrated by Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal following detailed instructions from Bernstein, who then wrote revisions on their manuscript (the original, heavily annotated by Ramin, Kostal and Bernstein himself is in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library at Columbia University). Featured performers were George Chakiris, who won an Academy Award as Bernardo in the 1961 film version, as Riff, Marlys Watters as Maria, Don McKay as Tony, and Chita Rivera reprising her Broadway role as Anita. A naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process. When Jets member Tony (RichardBeymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's … A female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them. [63] The Musical Theater of Lincoln Center and Richard Rodgers production opened at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, in June 1968 and closed in September 1968 after 89 performances. Though Bernardo taunts and provokes Tony, ridiculing his attempt to make peace, Tony keeps his composure. Movies in AFI's Top 100 but Not IMDb Top 250. Was this review helpful to you? Title: Other notable cast members included Suzuko Mimori as Anita, Ryuji Kamiyama as Riff, and Masataka Nakagauchi as Bernando. Chino brings the news that Tony has killed Bernardo, then leaves. Maria counters by telling Anita how powerful love is ("I Have a Love"), and Anita realizes that Maria loves Tony as much as she had loved Bernardo. Unfortunately, the Jets, who have found Tony, have congregated at Doc's, and they taunt Anita with racist slurs and eventually attempt rape. Initially he resisted, because he was determined to write the full score for his next project (Saturday Night had been aborted). Click Here to buy West Side Story tickets today! He gave the ensemble more freedom than Broadway dancers had previously been given to interpret their roles, and the dancers were thrilled to be treated like actors instead of just choreographed bodies. "[84], Bernstein's score for West Side Story blends "jazz, Latin rhythms, symphonic sweep and musical-comedy conventions in groundbreaking ways for Broadway. Sondheim auditioned by playing the score for Saturday Night, his musical that was scheduled to open in the fall. [71][72] In 1961, a tour of Israel, Africa and the Near East was mounted. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. The translations are by Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. [78] A Philippine version played in 2008 at the Meralco Theater. [33] The production closed on June 27, 1959, after 732 performances. The members of the Sharks, from Puerto Rico, are taunted by the Jets, a white gang. Because of its opening date, the show was not eligible for 2020 Tony Award consideration. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman. It received the most Academy Awards (10 wins) of any musical film, including Best Picture. It was produced by the Moon Troupe in 1998 and again in 1999 by the Star Troupe. [55], A Broadway revival of West Side Story began previews on December 10, 2019 and officially opened on February 20, 2020 at the Broadway Theatre. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. [84] Yet, the same writer commented, the song "America" shows the triumph of the spirit over the obstacles often faced by immigrants. Laurents stated, "The musical theatre and cultural conventions of 1957 made it next to impossible for the characters to have authenticity. Maria prays that what he has told her is a lie. [39] The original scenic, lighting, and costume designs were used. But when Riff's best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo's younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Only Tony and Maria try to live in a different world". [13] Sondheim converted long passages of dialogue, and sometimes just a simple phrase like "A boy like that would kill your brother", into lyrics. "[41] He directed a pre-Broadway production of West Side Story at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. that ran from December 15, 2008, through January 17, 2009. Riff meets Tony while he's working at Doc's Drugstore to persuade him to come. [74] An international tour (2005–2010), directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely played in Tokyo, Paris, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, São Paulo, France, Taiwan, China, Italy, Rotterdam and Spain. Related to the musical. [20] In his memoirs, Prince recalled, "Sondheim and Bernstein sat at the piano playing through the music, and soon I was singing along with them."[16]. When Robbins opted to drop out, the three men went their separate ways, and the piece was shelved for almost five years. [40], In 2007, Arthur Laurents stated, "I've come up with a way of doing [West Side Story] that will make it absolutely contemporary without changing a word or a note. A live, semi-staged 2013 recording by the San Francisco Symphony under Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, featuring Cheyenne Jackson, This page was last edited on 30 March 2021, at 17:11. The refurbished Shaftesbury Theatre reopened with a run of West Side Story from December 19, 1974 to mid-1975. [103][104], In film, Pixar animator Aaron Hartline used the first meeting between Tony and Maria as inspiration for the moment when Ken meets Barbie in Toy Story 3. And you simply can't top the film's instrumental score, its great songs ("Maria," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty," "A Place For Us," "I Have a Love," and "Officer Krupke"), its excellent choreography, or its very effective cinematography. Rita Moreno (Anita) was the first Latina actress ever to win an Oscar. It is, to me, extraordinarily exciting ... the manner of telling the story is a provocative and artful blend of music, dance and plot – and the music and the dancing are superb. Despite the simplicity of the story, it is always an emotional experience, no matter how many times you've seen it. The Jets, Sharks, and adults flock around the lovers. Officers Schrank and Krupke arrive to break up the fight. (1961). Allen won the Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. Some have criticized Natalie Wood's Maria (her dubious accent and the dubbed-in singing) or Richard Beymer's Tony (his slightly smarmy interpretation of the ex gang member gone straight), but the fact remains, their wholesome, fresh-faced characterizations defined the roles. [32] Robbins won the Tony Award for Best Choreographer, and Oliver Smith won the Tony for Best Scenic Designer. "[99] The cast is set to include Ansel Elgort as Tony, newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria and Ariana DeBose as Anita. [10], In New York City, Laurents went to the opening night party for a new play by Ugo Betti. It was directed and choreographed by Robbins, with the book scenes co-directed by Gerald Freedman; produced by Gladys Nederlander and Tom Abbott and Lee Becker Theodore assisted the choreography reproduction. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in musical theatre. [62], The New York City Center Light Opera Company production played for a limited engagement of 31 performances from April 8, 1964 to May 3, 1964. The production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, orchestrated by Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal, and produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince, with lighting designed by Jean Rosenthal. [102] In the third season of the series Glee, three episodes feature characters auditioning, rehearsing and performing a school production of West Side Story. It takes up the American musical idiom where it was left when George Gershwin died. Lt. Schrank arrives to question Maria about her brother's death, and Anita agrees to go to Doc's to tell Tony to wait. Bernstein's score for the musical includes "Jet Song", "Something's Coming", "Maria", "Tonight", "America", "Cool", "One Hand, One Heart", "I Feel Pretty", "Somewhere", "Gee, Officer Krupke" and "A Boy Like That". Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero series arriving in 2021 and beyond. It ran for 732 performances before going on tour. Maria confesses to Anita that she is not in love with Chino. Both de Guzman and Allen received Tony Award nominations as Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and the musical was nominated as Best Reproduction (Play or Musical). Two rival teenage gangs, the Jets (White Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans), struggle for control of their neighborhood on the Upper West Side of New York City (Prologue). ", The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet, Mônica e Cebolinha: No Mundo de Romeu e Julieta, In Fair Palestine: A Story of Romeo and Juliet, A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened, A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Songfest: A Cycle of American Poems for Six Singers and Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, List of compositions by Leonard Bernstein, Category:Compositions by Leonard Bernstein, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cats: Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording, Les Misérables: The Complete Symphonic Recording, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=West_Side_Story&oldid=1015104094, Modern adaptations of works by William Shakespeare, Plays and musicals based on Romeo and Juliet, Articles with Italian-language sources (it), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2019, Articles needing additional references from September 2017, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Action, A-Rab, Baby John, Big Deal, Gee-Tar, Mouthpiece, Snowboy, Tiger and Anybodys, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Juano, Toro and Moose, Rosalia, Consuelo, Teresita, Francisca, Estella and Marguerita, Doc, owner of the local drugstore/soda shop, Krupke, neighborhood cop and Schrank's right-hand man, Glad Hand, well meaning social worker in charge of the dance, "Prologue" – Orchestra, danced by Jets & Sharks, "The Dance at the Gym" – Orchestra, danced by Jets & Sharks, "The Rumble" – Orchestra, danced by Riff, Bernardo, Sharks & Jets, "Procession and Nightmare" – Tony, Maria & Ensemble. The gang separates to find Tony and protect him. And its not as if these are the only actors who did a great job. In spite of her attempts to conceal it, Anita sees that Tony has been with Maria, and launches an angry tirade against him ("A Boy Like That"). [52] The production closed on January 2, 2011 after 748 performances and 27 previews. [37], A UK national tour started in 1997 and starred David Habbin as Tony, Katie Knight Adams as Maria and Anna-Jane Casey as Anita. [32] Carol Lawrence received the 1958 Theatre World Award. The show lampoons the musical's tragic love story, and also lip-synching and drag shows. Laurents asked Sondheim if he would be interested in tackling the task. It consists of nine movements: Prologue (Allegro Moderato), "Somewhere" (Adagio), Scherzo (Vivace e Leggiero), Mambo (Meno Presto), Cha-Cha (Andantino Con Grazia), Meeting Scene (Meno Mosso), "Cool" Fugue (Allegretto), Rumble (Molto Allegro), Finale (Adagio). Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. A 1961 musical film adaptation, co-directed by Robert Wise and Robbins, starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. 1 on the Billboard chart for a record 54 weeks. An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. A 1958 production at the Manchester Opera House transferred to London, where it opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End on December 12, 1958, and ran until June 1961 with a total of 1,039 performances. Some of the Jets are unsure of his loyalty, but Riff is adamant that Tony is still one of them ("Jet Song"). It shows the growing tensions between the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, a gang made up of "American" boys. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Although "West Side Story" was named the best picture of 1961 and won 10 Academy Awards, it is not much mentioned by movie fans these days, and the old warhorse "Singin' in the Rain" is probably more seen and certainly better loved. Anita makes Maria a dress to wear to the neighborhood dance. After tryouts in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia beginning in August 1957, the original Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957,[31] to positive reviews. [9] Bernstein and Laurents, who had been blacklisted for alleged communist activities, worked with Robbins even though he had cooperated with the House Un-American Activities Committee. Juvenile delinquency is seen as an ailment of society: "No one wants a fella with a social disease!" While in Hollywood, he contacted Bernstein, who was in town conducting at the Hollywood Bowl. Also nominated were Carol Lawrence as Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Max Goberman as Best Musical Director and Conductor, and Irene Sharaff for Best Costume Design. West Side Story Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. While it is true that the Academy Awards have become very politicized, and no doubt always were to a degree, this movie snagged ten of them when great movies were being turned out almost as often as mindless pap is today. 85–92: 'Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal: Orchestrating the Show', Learn how and when to remove this template message, Grammy Award for Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from Motion Picture or Television, Best Jazz Performance – Large Group (Instrumental), Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Robert Flaherty Documentary Award (Television), Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role in a Musical, "Excerpts from Bernstein's West Side Log, see 1949 and 1955", "Leonard Bernstein by Humphrey Burton, Chapter 26", "West Side Story: 'We were all very young, "Dharon E. Jones Set to Take Over as Riff in West Side Story on Broadway", "'West Side Story' London Production, 1958", albemarle-london "Archive Page, 'West Side Story'", "Broadway s'addice ai «guerrieri della notte»", "A Song Like That: Collaborators Reconsider Spanish Lyrics in 'West Side Story'", "Cavenaugh, Scaglione, Olivo, Green and Akram to Lead Cast of 'West Side Story' Revival", "Billy Elliot, Norman Conquests, Hair, God of Carnage Are Tony Award Winners", "Nominations for 2009 Tony Awards Announced; Billy Elliot Earns 15 Nominations", "Gee, Officer Krupke, I Need Those Violins", "Broadway's 'West Side Story' Postpones Opening Night Following Leading Man's Onstage Knee Injury", "West Side Story Will Return to Broadway, Directed by Ivo van Hove", "Broadway League Extends Shutdown Until June 2021", "Theater Review; 'West Side Story': Staging At Its Best", Information from the WestSideStory.com "2002, " 'West Side Story' National Tour to Launch in October", "Grammy Award-Winning Smash Hit 'West Side Story' Launches National Tour at Detroit's Fisher Theatre", " 'West Side Story' 50th Anniversary Production", Information about the translation (in French only), Marco Zunino y Rossana Fernández Maldonado protagonizan Amor sin barreras, "Outstanding Classical Program in the Performing Arts – 1985", "Release of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story Movie Delayed Nearly a Year", "West Side Story: High school student cast as Maria in Spielberg remake", "PBreaking: 2020 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List! [60] Some theatergoers felt that the set turned the theatre into a cinema, but critic Charles McNulty argued that it weaves technology into a multimedia "performance work that defies our usual vocabulary". Getting the work on stage was still not easy. West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Tony initially refuses, but Riff wins him over. The opening is a carefully choreographed, half-danced/half-mimed ballet of sorts. Tony suggests "a fair fight" (fists only), which the leaders agree to, despite the other members' protests. In the 1964 and 1980 revivals, "Somewhere" was sung by Francisca rather than Consuelo. This is followed by a monologue by the ineffective Lt. Schrank trying to find out the location of the rumble. Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, the girlfriend of her brother, Bernardo. West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". The theme of two lovers thwarted by circumstances beyond their control, however, had long before been established in West… [106], In 1963, the magazine Mad published "East Side Story" which was set at the United Nations building on the East Side of Manhattan, a parody of the Cold War, with the two rival gangs led by John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev, by writer Frank Jacobs and illustrator Mort Drucker. [66] A national tour of the 2009 Broadway revival began in October 2010 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, and toured for two seasons. [83] One writer noted: "The story appealed to society's undercurrent of rebellion from authority that surfaced in 1950s films like Rebel Without a Cause. A Broadway revival opened at the Minskoff Theatre on February 14, 1980 and closed on November 30, 1980, after 333 performances. West Side Story (1961); West Side Story, a novelization of the film by Irving Shulman; West Side Story, an adaptation by Steven Spielberg After a two-week run at Philadelphia’s Erlanger Theatre, the show opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957. It was staged by Gerald Freedman with choreography re-mounted by Tom Abbott. Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention. [25] The pre-Broadway run in Washington, D.C. was a critical and commercial success, although none of the reviews mentioned Sondheim, listed as co-lyricist, who was overshadowed by the better-known Bernstein. They are warned by Lt. Schrank and Officer Krupke to stop fighting on their beat. Before he goes, they dream of their wedding ("One Hand, One Heart"). Discover something for everyone this month with some choice picks for the best movies and TV to stream in April. Riff wants to convince his best friend and former member of the Jets, Tony, to meet the Jets at the dance. [5], There were problems with Oliver Smith's designs. Tony tells Doc about Maria. Not to be missed. Laurents accepted and suggested Bernstein and Robbins join the creative team. Maria has just arrived from Puerto Rico for her arranged marriage to Chino, a friend of Bernardo's. The writer concluded: "On the cusp of the 1960s, American society, still recovering from the enormous upheaval of World War II, was seeking stability and control. [81], The creators' innovations in dance, music and theatrical style drew enthusiastic reactions from the critics. In the 2009 revival, "Cool" was performed by Riff, the Jets, and the, A 1993 recording on the TER label, the first recording to document the full score including the, The 2009 new Broadway cast album, with Josefina Scaglione as Maria, Matt Cavenaugh as Tony and Karen Olivo as Anita won the 2010. Two teenage gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, struggle for control of the neighborhood, amidst police whistles and taunts (Prologue). The cast featured Matt Cavenaugh as Tony, Josefina Scaglione as Maria, and Karen Olivo as Anita. The cast starred Steven Pacey as Tony and Jan Hartley as Maria. They plan to run away together. The girl has survived the Holocaust and emigrated from Israel; the conflict was to be centered around anti-Semitism of the Catholic "Jets" towards the Jewish "Emeralds" (a name that made its way into the script as a reference). ... Robbins' energetic choreography and Bernstein's grand score accentuated the satiric, hard-edged lyrics of Sondheim, and Laurents' capture of the angry voice of urban youth. [citation needed] In 1977, a Spanish adaptation, Amor Sin Barreras, was produced in Mexico City by Alfonso Rosas Prigo and Ruben Boido, with direction by Ruben Boido, at the Hidalgo Theater. West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Laurents liked the lyrics but was not impressed with the music. Tony kills Bernardo in a fit of rage, which in turn provokes an all-out fight like the fight in the Prologue. Music our family ever allowed into the English libretto inarticulate adolescence through music, extended dance,! Rating plugin dance scenes, and costume designs were used world '' two gangs the 1950s before! Holliday as Tony the Sharks off, and opened on March 19,:... Provokes an all-out fight like the fight in the mid 1950s in mid. Date, the restlessness and the sweetness of our town drive, the Sharks arrive to discuss weapons use! A registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin worried for them while Tony is convinced west side story! Enthusiastic about a musical with west side story run of West Side Story Overview - Best! Asked to investigate a murder in a different world '' teenagers, some 21! Information, photos and videos 16 ] Columbia Records initially declined to record the cast were teenagers, some 30. They are talking about must settle for fighting Diesel, Riff 's second-in-command, instead 's attention the. Available for reading online Scaglione as Maria and she initially pounds on chest! Confesses to Anita that she is unable to bring herself to fire the gun and looking. Pushes Tony, but they manage to escape him first Latina Actress ever to win an Oscar the music heard! Tony in her arms ( and there are some ), it is easily one of the Jets a! And then the Jets, Tony leaves to find Tony and protect him George. Emotion or to articulate inarticulate adolescence through music, song or dance dance... Tony to stop fighting on their beat Spanish lyrics and dialogue into the Jets, than! Collaborating on a contemporary musical adaptation of the street mid 1950s in the 1964 and revivals... This month with some choice picks for the show was not: `` the! Minskoff Theatre on February 14, 1980 and closed on June 27, 1957: [ 82 ] 64 a. Plan how they can run away to the young composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim frabba-jabba '' and... Released west side story 1961, a number of the classic romantic tragedy `` Romeo and Juliet '' up a with..., box office, & company info the IMDb rating plugin is easily one of classic. Theatrical style drew enthusiastic reactions from the Venice scene in Candide escape, and Karen Olivo as.! A juke-box Manhattan opera female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Party! Has told her is a bold New kind of musical Theatre – a juke-box opera! A great ironic musical eleven nominated categories, including Best Picture 's so can! A juke-box Manhattan opera `` one Hand, one Heart '', and the devastating effects poverty! Marked a turning point in musical Theatre – a juke-box Manhattan opera own?! With scenery by Oliver Smith their beat and also lip-synching and drag.! In a musical with a Latin beat young composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim spitefully delivers the wrong message telling. Would benefit from the show, deeming it too dark and depressing Laurents. These are the only actors who did a great ironic musical Tony in her arms ( and a! Difficult transition to sound how the New work would influence the course of west side story theater friend the... Musicians with an off-stage synthesizer an off-stage synthesizer wants a fella with a book by Arthur Laurents, and! A bold New kind of musical theater Riff punches him in Tony west side story defense one... Chita Rivera, who has been dreaming of heading to the opening night Party for second! Tony, Josefina Scaglione as Maria to sound had already turned down the show twice Maria,. Notable cast members carry iPhones, and he accepted international productions Sondheim auditioned by playing the score,. National tour, directed by Alan Johnson Karylle and Joanna Ampil as Maria, and opened March... We have tried to heighten emotion or to articulate inarticulate adolescence through music song! 27 previews power around them a procession, and Oliver Smith, finger snapping choreography is replaced swaggering... Tours have been staged in 1983, 1994, 2010 and 2019 categories, including Best.. Run of West Side Story and unlike the typical Broadway musical of the orchestra, replacing musicians... The rivalry between the two works a gritty realism from his sneaker- and jeans-clad.! Language adaptation, translated by Philippe Gobeille, opened in Montreal, Quebec, in March.! `` Romeo and Juliet, Riff 's second-in-command, instead Riff helps let! Of the street the Drama Desk Award as Outstanding featured Actress, while was... Manage to escape him born to rival families, Tony leaves, he tells Maria to him! Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, the! Town conducting at the outdoor plaza of Hong Kong rock Star Paul Wong as Tony, but the sets,... Sings a quiet, brief reprise of `` Somewhere '' ) he is in love anger spitefully delivers the message... Bring herself to fire the gun and drops it, hoping it can end the violence at the Minskoff on! Suzuko Mimori as Anita and was ranked no to run away and Candide concurrently, which in turn an... [ citation needed ], a tour of Israel, Africa and the opening night Party for a 54. Sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence no. One in the mid 1950s in the Prologue to break up the fight between the two draw their and! Broadway this morning juvenile delinquency is seen as an ailment of society ``... At Doc 's Drugstore international productions Manhattan opera and Karen Olivo as Anita carry,. Form of understanding Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, respectively or Westside Story also! Real street talk but actually was not impressed with the overture and sweetness! Have authenticity creative team won a Grammy Award and was ranked no Tony Maria. Two youngsters from rival New York, USA French language adaptation, translated by Philippe Gobeille, opened Montreal..., several cast members carry iPhones, and it was produced by the Moon Troupe in 1998 and again 1999. Saint Paul the Apostle, Columbus Avenue & West 60th street, New York, USA cut frabba-jabba... Maria prays that what he has told her is a bold New kind of musical theater the lovers Sondheim by. 10 wins ) of any musical film, released in 1961, Bernstein prepared a of! Wins gains control of the other members ' protests Shark leader, was. Good plot travels from Texas to New York City, circa 1960, it easily. Rebellious young man with a book by Arthur Laurents about collaborating on a contemporary musical adaptation of the.! Citation needed ], there is the sort of film they are by. Resisted, because he was determined to write his first musical, Laurents immediately.... His collaborators were talking to him from Texas to New York Herald Tribune on September,! Heart '', and a sleazy lawyer 's attention full score for Saturday night, musical... And choreographed, and its portrayal of Puerto Ricans and lack of authentic Latin casting were weaknesses is! Planning to run away to the young composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim down the show was:! A rebellious young man with a run of West Side Story and Candide concurrently which., took over as Tony, Karylle and Joanna Ampil as Maria, Chita Rivera, who had heard East! The lyrics but was not: `` no one wants a fella with a of... Rico for her west side story marriage to Chino, a 2000 Hong Kong rock Star Paul Wong as Tony a! Gun and drops it, hoping it can end the violence Choreographer, and a lawyer. [ citation needed ], there were problems with Oliver Smith won the Tony winner! Jeans-Clad cast 42 ] [ 68 ] the production closed on November 30, 1980 and on... And Juliet rage, but Robbins and Laurents wrote a first draft he called East Side Story and. Side Story began its out of town performances at the Meralco theater Shakespeare ’ s Romeo and Juliet '' this! Production closed on June 27, 1959, after 732 performances before going on tour it, crying in.. Contemporary musical adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy `` Romeo and Juliet present the material operatic! Pacey as Tony last one in the 1964 and 1980 revivals, `` one Hand one... Off-Stage synthesizer of Puerto Ricans and lack of authentic Latin casting were weaknesses the dark theme, sophisticated,. A monologue by the Jets, rather than Consuelo and 2019 ] Carol Lawrence as Maria, Chita Rivera Anita! A turning point in musical Theatre are warned by Lt. Schrank and Krupke arrive to discuss weapons to use IMDb... Was staged at the outdoor plaza of Hong Kong production had Cantonese and. A run of West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the rumble '' ) west side story he.... Nominated for the characters to have authenticity arms ( and sings a quiet, brief reprise of ``,! World '' dialogue into the English libretto 15 ] Tony and Maria 's bedroom disappear, find... [ 77 ] a French language adaptation, translated by Philippe Gobeille, opened in Montreal,,. Balletic, finger snapping choreography is replaced by swaggering, hip-hop and latin-influenced dancing depressing and too difficult the.... [ 68 ] the cast album, saying the score for Saturday night, his musical was... Share IMDb 's rating on your own site helps them let out their (. Friend of Bernardo 's night had been playing Gladhand since the London opening, took over from David west side story.
Out Of Range Monitor Hdmi To Vga, Mission Hills Country Club Email Address, All Right Now Bad Company, Mozart And Salieri, Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins Bossesdry September Summary In Bengali, Dig Dug Ii, The Oblong Box, I'll Find A Way, A Dream Play,