West side story as a film fits into a particular niche within the film industry, as it represents an adaptation of an adaptation. So my school is doing west side story, and i just wanted to know some of rmusicals favorite musicals from the same time period or in the same style of music. Heres a short compare and contrast by seattle times. The original stage musical of west side story now revived and touring to seattle differs from the wellknown film in key ways. The jets are boys who were born in america, but have polish roots. The subject matter of west side story is one of the important things that makes this moviemusical so fascinating, and successful on both stage and screen, because although its fiction, its closer to reality in so many respects. Their hostility and rage are as intense as was the conflict between. Why west side story was successful on both stage and screen. Steven spielberg has been making west side story in his head for a very long time. West side story 1961 is an energetic, widelyacclaimed, melodramatic musical a modernday, loose retelling of shakespeares romeo and juliet tragedy of feuding families, although the setting is the upper west side of new york city in the late 1950s with conflict between rival street gangs rather than families. Why west side story was successful on both stage and. Read a character analysis of juliet, plot summary, and important quotes.
The fullydanced prolog shows the tension built up between the jets and the sharks two rival gangs in new yorks upper west side. West side story may have stereotypical depictions of puerto ricans but the original film in particular is considered an important film for latino americans nevertheless misaimed fandom the entire argument over which gang is more sympathetic. Leonard bernstein west side story original broadway cast. For the groundbreaking musical, bernstein provided a propulsive and rhapsodic. The slight differences in west side story school edition include in conjunction with the jerome robbins estate, the choreography has been modified from the original to make it more accessible to high school performers while keeping the choreographys original story telling intact. West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, romeo and juliet. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for snowboy from west side story join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities.
West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and. West side story is the soundtrack to the 1961 film west side story. Information about stephen sondheims broadway musical, west side story, including news and gossip, production information, synopsis, musical numbers, sheetmusic, cds. There is a door between the bedroom and the parlor. Terms of use privacy policy contact us advertise affiliate program. Released in 1961, the soundtrack spent 54 weeks at no. Join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Arthur laurents, an irascible eminence of musical theater and movies out of whose typewriter came the stage scripts for west side story, gypsy and the threehanky film romance the. The score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. West side story scene and musical sequence outlines, draft scripts, song lists, lyrics, 1955.
Thanks to my daughter, we had excellent seats in the mezzanine along the rail. After writing scripts for radio shows after college and then training films for the u. West side story transposes shakespeares romeo and juliet to the gangridden streets of 1950s manhattan, dominated by the sharks and the jets. 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. Army during world war ii, laurents turned to writing for broadway, producing a body of work that includes west side story 1957, gypsy 1959, and hallelujah, baby. See more ideas about broadway plays, musicals and west side story. This is the place for you if youve ever been involved in, or infatuated with, west side story as an actor, singer, dancer, musician, producer, director, designer, crew or just as important as a fan. Naturally, when the time came to make the broadway musical into a film, he was the goto guy. This aspect applies to a number of examples within. He directed the stage version of west side story when it first released on stage in 1957 the story was his idea, too, handling the dancing and choreography while leonard bernstein and stephen sondheim created the music and lyrics. West side story, one of the most groundbreaking musicals of all time, opens at the western stage on august 9. It you pay close attention, the first words of dialogue in west side story are beat it.
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. Considered one of the greatest musicals of all time, west side story makes its triumphant signature debut. We attempted to recreate the opening sequence of the cinema classic, west side story. West side story returns to broadway like never before. This is just a warning to anyone thinking of purchasing a bluray copy of, not only west side story but any other film. It is primarily a condensation of the growing rivalry between two teenage games, the jets and the. Mar 17, 2016 a collection of public domain images from some classic broadway plays and musicals, including a raisin in the sun, camelot, west side story and more. The greater hartford academy of the arts high school 2016 main stage production of west side story. It was also nominated for an emmy in the category outstanding classical program in the performing arts. Rita moreno became the first latina actress to ever win an oscar.
West side story script broadway musical act i scene one 5. George chakiris born september 16, 1934 is a retired american dancer, singer, and actor. He picked up the script of west side story, which hed seen on television as a teenager in flanders, and was amazed that its dialogue about rival gangs still spoke to the present. West side story rounds out cast with newcomer indiewire. Bernardo they do not know the country any better than she does.
West side story scene and musical sequence outlines, draft scripts. Summary read a plot overview of the entire play or a scene by scene summary and analysis. West side story was originally about jews and catholics as the musical celebrates its anniversary, it stands as more than art. Live performance is always different because it has that direct, immediate element to it. West side story characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. In the midst of the deepseated rivalry between the puerto rican gang, the sharks, and the white gang, the jets, maria and tony discover that. Laurents was soon hired to write the screenplay for a remake of the 1934 greta garbo film the painted veil for ava. West side story stars on lyric opera stage eloise marie valadez, 2199333365.
It is hard to believe that this was the first time i had seen it on stage. A draft number or date always include a phone number is not required on a and an email address if you spec script. West side story opened in new york at the winter garden theatre september 26th, 1957, following engagements in washington and philadelphia. Dec 27, 2010 i attended a performance of west side story at the pantages on sunday. In west side story, the warfare is between white youths and puerto ricans. West side story lighting week two blog westside story. West side story cares about racism in 2020 because it knows it should, not because it sketches it on stage thoughtfully or deeply. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. The old moulin rouge later the aquarius theater and more recently lots of other things did a stage version of west side story sometime after the movie came out. The play is an updated version of shakespeares romeo and juliet, that tragedy of young love in which prejudice and hatred govern fate. It not only transposes romeo and juliet to the world of new york gangs. 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 was an artistic confrontation of social issues from immigration to economic inequality to gang violence. West side story is an american masterpiece, says ivo van hove, director of the latest broadway revival, opening february 20.
The bedroom as a window opening onto the fire escape, a bed on a wall, a small shrine to the virgin, and a curtained doorway, rear. In particular, youll need at least a basic understanding of key areas, motives, and intervals. West side story stage to screen lyrics changes archive. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or instore pickup. Directed by francesca zambello, who has staged west side story on an outdoor popup stage before, this new york story of love and hate plays out against the sydney skyline on a massive openair. West side story plot summary, character breakdowns, context and analysis, and performance video clips. Provided to youtube by the orchard enterprises america accompaniment backing tracks stage stars west side story. The official database for broadway theatre information west side story broadway musical original ibdb. Two teens from the bitterenemy gangs meet and fall. On september 26, 1957, west side story, composed by leonard bernstein, opens at the winter garden theatre on broadway. Interactive script breakdown powered by productionpro. Two eye label repress with 360 sound stereo see images.
He is best known for his appearance in the film version of west side story as bernardo, the leader of the sharks gang, for which he won both the academy award for best supporting actor and the golden globe award for best supporting actor motion picture. But after this week, the two belgians are likely to be famed, for good or ill, as the pair who kicked jerome robbins out of west side story. Van hove hopes his vision will show the musical in all its cruelty. The reasoning behind some of them is pretty obvious censors werent going to pass lyrics like my father is a bastard my mas an s. Ivo van hoves west side story broadway revival aims to. West side story script transcript from the screenplay and.
Highlighting the talents of a young ensemble cast, west side story has found popularity in schools as well as professional theatres throughout the world. A lowkey lighting design looks dark overall by comparison. Annotated scripts of west side story, bernsteins conducting baton, and more, on view through september 2 at the national museum of american jewish history. Amidst the chaos, starcrossed lovers find themselves wrenched between their worlds. Riff the leader george chakiris tony his friend don mckay action eddie roll arab tony mordente baby john ed verso snowboy. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks. Arthur laurents book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. West side story actually helped break one barrier for minority actors.
West side story original, musical, drama, broadway opened in new york city sep 26, 1957 and played through jun 27, 1959. West side story new york times 1961 dec 31 1 page other restricted. The cinematic version is etched into my mind, so i felt compelled to compare the two. She falls in love with tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Make this the year your cast comes in rehearsal ready. West side story, considered by many the greatest movie musical ever. James youmans mostly grey settings may not serve as an invitation to visit the upper west side, but the various locations from the street to under the highway expressionistically provide a formidable frame for this forever stunning musical. West side story school edition music theatre international. They planned to stage the conflict between rival catholic and jewish groups.
While west side story has always been and remains an iconic and perennially popular musical, it presented certain challenges for high school theatre programs. To get everybody in the mood to join us for this shakespeare inspired story about forbidden love, we have a buzzfeed inspired listical for you to enjoy because we all know. West side story is set in and around the 1950s on the west side of manhattan, new york city. In the late 1950s two rival gangs struggle for control of their west side new york city neighborhood. Apr 24, 2015 west side story lighting week two blog the west side story uses different kinds of lighting throughout the film, but the lowkey is the most prominent. It completely spits in the face the theme that both sides are adding to the conflict.
Yesenia ayala, the triple threat who swishes her ponytail across the stage as anita, eats him alive. As a boy in phoenix in the late 1950s, he had only the soundtrack, and he tried to picture the action and dancing. West side story has an incredibly complex score and therefore any worthwhile discussion of this music is going to require some prior knowledge of musical forms, terminology, and traditions. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay andor viewings of west side story. Arthur laurents july 14, 1917 may 5, 2011 was an american playwright, stage director and screenwriter. For complete details about west side story tickets and their prices for the best seats in the house, please log on to our website or call us on our toll free number in case you need any further assistance. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. Every script should have if you have an agent a title page with one contact the address and number address only in the bottom can go here. From the first notes to the final breath, west side story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. With additional resources for students and directors, west side story school edition makes the iconic musical more accessible and meaningful for high school. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for graziella from west side story join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Book by music by lyrics by arthur leonard stephen laurents bernstein sondheim choreography by jerome robbins rehearsal script as of october 21, 2008. The worlds greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark broadway.
West side story rehearsal on the main stage musical based on a concept by jerome robbins script by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein 19181990 west side story rehearsal on the main stage. The lyrics to a number of the songs from west side story were changed when it went from stage to screen. Intense conflicts between racial, religious and ethnic, and even socioeconomic groups happen not only in our. Its brooding videos want to provoke us to be rightfully angry. Chakiris, who won an oscar for playing bernardo, has greek ancestry. Aug 09, 20 if any aspect of west side story is still undervalued it is the book by arthur laurents. Finally, the west side story script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the natalie wood musical movie based on the broadway play. International touring cast of west side story lipsyncs to icona pops i love it by stage tube october 8, 20 the international touring cast of west side story put together a fun.
A new west side story for broadwaywithout jerome robbins. Yes, you can buy west side story tickets from us on amazing discounted prices. Shakespeares romeo and juliet is transported to 20th century new york city as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the jets and the sharks. West side story revisited split screen editi youtube. Directed by mary cadorette daly and kyle reynolds choreog. Jul 20, 20 this is the split screen version of a summer camp project created for a hip hop and breaking camp 20. When i saw it on stage for the first time a few years ago on broadway, i was very confused by the positioning of cool and.
Productionpros innovative platform pulls together scripts, notes, music, and rehearsal videos so your cast has everything they need to be rehearsal ready. When i recently decided to add west side story to my collection in bluray i scouted through the amazon items on offer. Ivo van hove across the theater world for his stark, stubbornly techheavy reconstructions of plays and movie scripts. Steven spielbergs west side story update has rounded out its ensemble cast. Make sure you read all the product details thoroughly. Access and instantly share a digital version of your script and piano vocal score from any device. Gay music for consuelo, who is examining herself in the. Jul 30, 2014 10 surprising facts about west side story that will make your head explode. Ive been a big fan of the west side story film since i was very young. West side story lighting week two blog the west side story uses different kinds of lighting throughout the film, but the lowkey is the most prominent.
Its exciting, sophisticated score by leonard bernstein is often considered broadways finest, its songs a part of the nations musical heritage. Inspired by the timeless story of romeo and juliet, west side story takes shakespeares starcrossed lovers, and places them in the vibrant battleground of new york citys west side in the 1950s. When we were putting west side story together in new york, jerry had a phenomenal idea he said the actors playing the sharks and the jets shouldnt socialise, in order to make things much more tense when they meet on stage for the dancehall competition. Upper west side, new york, 1950s, during the last days of summer.