It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet the story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, a multiracial, bluecollar neighborhood. Sep 01, 2006 the material in west side story has long proven its universal appeal, as has bernstein as a visual, and audio, star. West side story opened not with a song, not with a book scene, but with a thrilling danced prologue. Fifty years after west side story won 10 oscars, including best picture, a newspaper in riverside has told the story behind the story behind west side story. West side story, theatre music by american composer leonard bernstein that premiered august 19, 1957, in washington, d. Aug 23, 2018 west side story was originally east side story. But this was not dance for dancings sake, not a lavish, showy production number designed to get the audience into an upbeat mood. He is the author of ten books, including the novels the amboy dukes, cry tough, and the square trap, which were all adapted into movies. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Books by arthur laurents author of west side story edition. Just beyond where they were filming stood half a block of boarded tenements destined for demolition which would soon make way for the newly constructed lincoln center. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, an ethnic, bluecollar neighborhood in the early 1960s, much of the. Leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. West side story, the 1961 musical film about rival gangs in new york city, is soon to be remade and directed by steven spielberg. When they first conceived the show in 1949, robbins, bernstein and laurents set their story on the east side of manhattan, and gave it the working title east side story.
It starred carol lawrence as maria west side story opened on broadway at the winter garden theatre on 26 september 1957, and on the west end at her majestys theatre on 12. The reallife drama behind west side story written in the mid1950s, west side story showcased adult themes and harsh language, which was bold for. Moreno made her mark in musicals like singin in the rain and the king and i before winning an oscar for her unforgettable turn as anita in west side story. The incredible saga of west side story broadway buzz. The remake will be directed by steven spielberg, with the script adapted by tony. The making and impact of an american masterpiece cultureamerica acevedomunoz, ernesto r. Dec 25, 2015 west side story film cast members rita moreno, russ tamblyn and george chakiris reunite on the talk to talk about their time filming the classic adaptation of the broadway musical. The book tells about the creation of the idea by jerome robbins and the subsequent collaboration with leonard bernstein, arthur laurents, and stephen sondheim.
West side story simple english wikipedia, the free. When it premiered on broadway in 1957, it showed how dancing, singing, acting, and design could merge into a single means of expression, a seamless unity. Kiri te kanawa the making of west side story documentary. Biography examines prolific career of choreographer behind. Please view my other interesting uploads and documentaries. West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the premiere of west side story, deutsche grammophon has prepared this deluxe limited edition of its memorable 1984 recording of the musical under the baton of bernstein himself, with kiri te kanawa and jose carreras in the leading roles, together with the dvd pal of the making of west side story. As a professional musician myself, its a wonderful experience to see one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century bernstein conducting a talented group of performers and. Robin lubbock wbur this article is more than 1 year old. This groundbreaking collaboration among bernstein, jerome robbins conception and choreography, arthur laurents book, and stephen sondheim lyrics captured the fiber of american society through its best and worst characteristics. Leonard bernstein, kiri te kanawa, jose carreras, tatiana troyanos, kurt ollmann, nina bernstein. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies.
Theres a lot of plot in west side story but its scenes are probably the shortest of any book musical thats ever existed. The sharks mostly recent puerto rican immigrants and the jets mostly second generation european immigrants circa 1960. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the making of west side story near you. His descriptions of end page 180 the musical processes and the workings of the orchestra are always illuminating and have a quality of being rare and matter of fact at the same time. Though few revisions had been made, prince was swayed, and. As i was writing a term paper about broadway musicals a few years ago, i found the making of west side story very helpful to my research. An interesting technical sign of an indisputable classic is the various types of releases it has had. A captivating, richly illustrated behind the scenes account of a cultural moment.
West side story was originally about jews and catholics. Anita is marias friend and, so far, has nothing to do with the plot. The music was composed by leonard bernstein, and the lyrics were written by stephen sondheim. The original west side story 1961 was directed by robert wise, who later directed the andromeda strain 1971, which was based on a michael crichton novel. Leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west side story when leonard bernstein and jerome robbins met 75 years ago, they were young men hungry for their big break. West side story musical by bernstein and sondheim and. Long before popera, the three tenors, or even three mo tenors, leonard bernstein mined the opera field and recorded a glorious version of his already classic west side story. Ship this item this item is available online through marketplace sellers. They came together through love but violence threatened to tear them apart. And he, who had been seeking something beyond the savagery of the streets, discovered it with her. West side story by irving shulman goodreads share book.
To watch this expecting 2011 sound and picture quality will only disappoint. Apr 23, 2014 that was evident to audiences from the outset. It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. A major hit on broadway, on film west side story became immortal. The song america, in part, is about how american culture treats puerto ricans like secondclass citizens, and the tensions between the two gangs sometimes boils down to your skin is a different color than mine. The gem of broadway musicals, west side storys commentary on love and prejudice is relevant to any time and place. Feb 27, 2012 fifty years after west side story won 10 oscars, including best picture, a newspaper in riverside has told the story behind the story behind west side story. West side story was first presented at the winter garden, new york city, september 26, 1957, and at her majestys theatre, london, on december 12, 1958 with the following cast.
Jan 07, 2009 the reallife drama behind west side story written in the mid1950s, west side story showcased adult themes and harsh language, which was bold for musical productions. As west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as more than art. The celebrated musical is an update of romeo and juliet set among white. They are getting ready for the party thats in a few hours. Works stage west side story 1957 leonard bernstein. The making and impact of an american masterpiece cultureamerica.
Murphy 7 december 2006 west side story chapter 3 in this chapter, anita is making the dress for maria. Composer lyricist author historical outline broadway musical for the 1961 film adaption music by leonard bernstein lyrics by stephen sondheim book by arthur laurents inspired by william shakespeares romeo and juliet the making of west side story jerome robbins proposed the. A captivating, richly illustrated behindthescenes account of a cultural moment. Aug 22, 2018 as west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as more than art. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. Indeed, everyone involved gives his or her all, making this rather unconventional west side story uniquely enjoyable. The musical is a 20thcentury american adaptation of the shakespearean tale of romeo and juliet. West side story chapter 3 big trouble in this chapter maria. The celebrated musical is an update of romeo and juliet set among white and puerto rican gangs on new yorks west side. Whether it was completely new vision as a concept musical, or the pinnacle of an already established tradition, it marked the most impressive body of choreography in a single show and was acclaimed. Riff the leader george chakiris tony his friend don mckay action eddie roll arab tony mordente baby john ed verso snowboy. Telling the story behind the story behind west side story. West side story chapter 3 big trouble in this chapter.
West side story, originally a 1957 broadway musical, is being remade into a film by 20th century fox. The original box lp release of the 1984 deutsche grammophon west side story was a sensation of its time. It was september 26, 1957, and something great was coming that evening. Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. But marias brother was leader of the sharks and tony had once. They planned to stage the conflict between rival catholic and jewish groups. From the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest stories of all time. It was an artistic confrontation of social issues from immigration and bigotry to economic inequality and gang.
It was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. This documentary captures the renowned musiciancomposerconductor leonard bernstein leading the sessions for a new recording of his beloved score for the classic musical west side story. In terms of the making of wss, i have a book whose author i cant remember, havent read it in a while, but found a book called the making of west side story which is filled with all those facts. The audio quality is quite good, as is the video image. Interesting facts about the creation of west side story. West side storys first and foremost a love story, but the themes of immigration and racism seethe below the surface. Steven spielberg actually met crichton on the set of that film, and later adapted another one of his novels, jurassic park.
I thought west side story was going to be a flop, says arthur laurents, who wrote the book of the new show. Leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west side. A documentary which shows, in great detail, the making of the 1985 bernsteinconducted recording of the entire score of west side story, featuring operatic stars. Jan 03, 2018 leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west side story. Maria was young and innocent and had never known loveuntil tony. West side story film cast members rita moreno, russ tamblyn and george chakiris reunite on the talk to talk about their time filming the classic adaptation of the broadway musical. The making of west side story leonard bernstein conducts. West side story s first and foremost a love story, but the themes of immigration and racism seethe below the surface. West side story reunion w rita moreno, russ tamblyn, george. Dances like the elegantly rumbling teenagers in west side.
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