Rita Moreno (Anita) was the first Latina actress ever to win an Oscar. [53] The revival sold 1,074,462 tickets on Broadway over the course of nearly two years[54] and was a financial success. The cast featured Matt Cavenaugh as Tony, Josefina Scaglione as Maria, and Karen Olivo as Anita. (1961). 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 18 March 2021, at 19:40. Only after he completed it did the group realize it was little more than a musicalization of themes that had already been covered in plays like Abie's Irish Rose. 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). Although “West Side Story” is not as famous as “Romeo and Juliet”, it was a impressive work of it’s time, and it has left his mark on the times afterwards. Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. [16] Columbia Records initially declined to record the cast album, saying the score was too depressing and too difficult. [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. [81], The creators' innovations in dance, music and theatrical style drew enthusiastic reactions from the critics. When Bernardo pushes Tony, Riff punches him in Tony's defense. [22], Throughout the rehearsal period, the New York newspapers were filled with articles about gang warfare, keeping the show's plot timely. Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship which may not stay platonic for long. West Side Story, theatre music by American composer Leonard Bernstein that premiered August 19, 1957, in Washington, D.C., before moving to Broadway for a second opening on September 26, 1957. 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. Other notable cast members included Suzuko Mimori as Anita, Ryuji Kamiyama as Riff, and Masataka Nakagauchi as Bernando. The voice dubbing for both is done skillfully, but I would have preferred a stronger voice for Beymer.Rita Moreno (not Chita Rivera as another commentator named her) and George Chakiris are beyond reproach as Anita and Bernardo--and all of the gang members do superb footwork and acting as the Jets/Sharks. Tickets At the Broadway Theater, Manhattan; 212-239-6200, westsidestorybway.com. [19] Every other producer had already turned down the show, deeming it too dark and depressing. It ran for 732 performances before going on tour. Action has taken charge; he accepts Anybodys into the Jets and includes her in the search. [80], A Japanese production ran from November 2019 to January 2020, at the IHI Stage Around Tokyo, featuring a double-cast with Mamoru Miyano and Shouta Aoi as Tony, and Kii Kitano and Rena Sasamoto as Maria. [citation needed] Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival performed West Side Story in 1999, starring Tyley Ross as Tony and Ma-Anne Dionisio as Maria, and again in 2009,[73] The Austrian Bregenz Festival presented West Side Story in the German translation by Prawy in 2003 and 2004, directed by Francesca Zambello, followed by a German tour. 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. In 1961, this movie adaptation of the Broadway smash-hit musical West Side Story broke box office records and won an incredible 10 Academy Awards, more than any other musical before or since. [59] The original balletic, finger snapping choreography is replaced by swaggering, hip-hop and latin-influenced dancing. The two contacted Robbins, who was enthusiastic about a musical with a Latin beat. Doc is worried for them while Tony is convinced that nothing can go wrong; he is in love. Laurents liked the lyrics but was not impressed with the music. [33] The production closed on June 27, 1959, after 732 performances. Only 8 … Did Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer do their own singing? [84] Yet, the same writer commented, the song "America" shows the triumph of the spirit over the obstacles often faced by immigrants. Two of the Jets, A-Rab and Baby John, are set on by Officer Krupke, but they manage to escape him. Only the bodies of Riff and Bernardo remain. [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. [citation needed] The Japanese Takarazuka Revue has performed the show twice. 4.5 out of 5 stars 39. [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. West Side Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by West Side Story (Related Recordings) , Shelly Manne , et al. It starred Ken Marshall as Tony, Josie de Guzman as Maria and Debbie Allen as Anita. He arrived in Hollywood to choreograph the dance sequences for the 1956 film The King and I, and he and Laurents began developing the musical while working on their respective projects, keeping in touch with Bernstein, who had returned to New York. She appears on her fire escape, and the two profess their love for one another ("Tonight"). His painted backdrops were stunning, but the sets were, for the most part, either shabby looking or too stylized. Robert Wise's firm control in blending the music with the "book" is craftsmanship at its finest.By all means, a musical that deserved all of its Oscars!! [94] The soundtrack album won a Grammy Award and was ranked No. In Hawaii in 1941, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his captain's wife and second-in-command are falling in love. To cheer themselves up, they lampoon Krupke and the other adults who don't understand them ("Gee, Officer Krupke"). Now they actually will be. Maria holds Tony in her arms (and sings a quiet, brief reprise of "Somewhere") as he dies. [65], A national tour, directed by Alan Johnson, was produced in 2002. [107] In the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett, two feuding noble families are named Selachii and Venturi, the scientific names for "sharks" and "jets". Language posed a problem; four-letter curse words were uncommon in the theater at the time, and slang expressions were avoided for fear they would be dated by the time the production opened. Laurents, however, was committed to Gabel, who introduced him to the young composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. 1 on the Billboard chart for a record 54 weeks. 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. [12], The original book Laurents wrote closely adhered to Romeo and Juliet, but the characters based on Rosaline and the parents of the doomed lovers were eliminated early on. Direction and choreography were reproduced by Lee Theodore, and scenery was by Oliver Smith. 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. When Robbins opted to drop out, the three men went their separate ways, and the piece was shelved for almost five years. Wherever possible in the show, we have tried to heighten emotion or to articulate inarticulate adolescence through music, song or dance. Tony kills Bernardo in a fit of rage, which in turn provokes an all-out fight like the fight in the Prologue. 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. Ultimately, some of the cast were teenagers, some were 21, some were 30 but looked 16. After Riff is killed, Ice takes control of the Jets, rather than Action. Riff wants to convince his best friend and former member of the Jets, Tony, to meet the Jets at the dance. Riedel, Michael. [8], Laurents was soon hired to write the screenplay for a remake of the 1934 Greta Garbo film The Painted Veil for Ava Gardner. People have been listening to that message, and humming the songs, ever since the show premiered on Broadway in 1957 and debuted on … On September 26, 1957, West Side Story, composed by Leonard Bernstein, opens at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.For the groundbreaking musical, … The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. [79] In 2011, a Lima production was produced by "Preludio Asociación Cultural" with Marco Zunino as Tony, Rossana Fernández-Maldonado as Maria, Jesús Neyra as Bernardo, Tati Alcántara as Anita and Joaquín de Orbegoso as Riff. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? 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. It is widely known that West Side Story (WSS) is based directly on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (R&J). [78] A Philippine version played in 2008 at the Meralco Theater. 1 Overview 2 Quotes 3 Gallery 3.1 1961 film images 3.2 2021 film images Anita's character is based loosely on Juliet's Nurse in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. [69], The musical has also been adapted to be performed as Deaf Side Story using both English and American Sign Language, with deaf Sharks and hearing Jets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. [21] Originally, when considering the cast, Laurents wanted James Dean for the lead role of Tony, but the actor soon died. The Jets, Sharks, and adults flock around the lovers. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. [23] Robbins wanted a gritty realism from his sneaker- and jeans-clad cast. [13] Sondheim converted long passages of dialogue, and sometimes just a simple phrase like "A boy like that would kill your brother", into lyrics. [42][43] The production wove Spanish lyrics and dialogue into the English libretto. It was staged by Gerald Freedman with choreography re-mounted by Tom Abbott. Riff meets Tony while he's working at Doc's Drugstore to persuade him to come. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. [5] Eager to write his first musical, Laurents immediately agreed. The refurbished Shaftesbury Theatre reopened with a run of West Side Story from December 19, 1974 to mid-1975. Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention. West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Tony attempts to intervene, inadvertently leading to Riff being fatally stabbed by Bernardo. The suite is included as bonus tracks on the 1957 original Broadway cast recording. The 1980 Broadway production was recreated by Tom Abbott. Robbins was involved with Bells Are Ringing, then Bernstein with Candide, and in January 1957 A Clearing in the Woods, Laurents' latest play, opened and quickly closed. Anita is furious, and in anger spitefully delivers the wrong message, telling the Jets that Chino has shot Maria dead. In the 1964 and 1980 revivals, "Somewhere" was sung by Francisca rather than Consuelo. Anita makes Maria a dress to wear to the neighborhood dance. [59] The production also drew some criticism for its casting of Ramasar, who has been accused of sexually inappopriate behaviour and was fired from the New York City Ballet and suspended from Carousel, as well as the graphic staging of the Jets' assault and attempted rape of Anita which, together, "sends a message that women’s bodies are collateral damage in male artistic success". [105] The 2005 short musical comedy film West Bank Story, which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, concerns a love story between a Jew and a Palestinian and parodies several aspects of West Side Story. Only Tony and Maria try to live in a different world". West Side Story shows how racism and xenophobia create a system that dooms the youths of working class families. 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. West Side Story (Original, Musical, Drama, Broadway) opened in New York City Sep 26, 1957 and played through Jun 27, 1959. 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. Some were wonderful singers but couldn't dance very well, or vice versa ... and if they could do both, they couldn't act. [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. 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. Diesel is renamed Ice. Then the Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway--whoever wins gains control of the streets. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs. The theme of two lovers thwarted by circumstances beyond their control, however, had long before been established in West… The resulting film was a tremendous critical as well as commercial success—Wise’s biggest hit to date—and received 10 Academy Awards, including best picture… It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. Getting the work on stage was still not easy. 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. West Side Story - America Lyrics. Bernardo believes that he will fight Tony, but must settle for fighting Diesel, Riff's second-in-command, instead. The gangs meet under the highway and, as the fight between Bernardo and Diesel begins, Tony arrives and tries to stop it. Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, the girlfriend of her brother, Bernardo. 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. They plan to run away together. [15] Tony and Maria's duet, "One Hand, One Heart", was originally intended for Cunegonde in Candide. [96], A 2021 film adaptation, written by Tony Kushner, directed by Steven Spielberg and choreographed by Justin Peck, was filmed in 2019. ... 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. The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and was selected for the National Film Registry in 1997. Feeling there is no longer anything to live for, Tony leaves to find Chino, begging for him to shoot him as well. [10], In New York City, Laurents went to the opening night party for a new play by Ugo Betti. Laurents stated, "The musical theatre and cultural conventions of 1957 made it next to impossible for the characters to have authenticity. There he met Sondheim, who had heard that East Side Story, now retitled West Side Story, was back on track. West Side Story Overview - The BEST Broadway source for West Side Story tickets and West Side Story information, photos and videos. Maxine Gordon was Anybodys. [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. Advertisement. Subsequent Australian tours have been staged in 1983, 1994, 2010 and 2019. The Minskoff production subsequently opened the Nervi Festival in Genoa, Italy, in July 1981 with Josie de Guzman as Maria and Brent Barrett as Tony. 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]. The cast starred Steven Pacey as Tony and Jan Hartley as Maria. Tony was played by Kurt Peterson, with Victoria Mallory as Maria. A 1961 musical film adaptation, co-directed by Robert Wise and Robbins, starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. When Tony arrives, Maria insists that he must stop the fight altogether, which he agrees to do. [11] Meanwhile, Laurents had written a new draft of the book changing the characters' backgrounds: Anton, once an Irish American, was now of Polish and Irish descent, and the formerly Jewish Maria had become a Puerto Rican. [17], The show was nearly complete in the fall of 1956, but almost everyone on the creative team needed to fulfill other commitments first. Biography. [110], This article is about the stage musical. the Jets dance across the streets of New York, eventually coming to a playground where they toss around a basketball. Drama, Certificate: GP Doc relates the news to Tony, who has been dreaming of heading to the countryside to have children with Maria. However, she is unable to bring herself to fire the gun and drops it, crying in grief. Puerto RicoMy heart's devotion Let it sink back in the ocean Always the hurricanes blowing Always the population growing And the money owing [39] The original scenic, lighting, and costume designs were used. Riff and Bernardo agree to meet for a War Council at Doc's, a drug store which is considered neutral ground, but meanwhile, an infatuated and happy Tony finds Maria's building and serenades her outside her bedroom ("Maria"). Blissfully unaware that the rumble has taken place with fatal consequences, Maria giddily sings to her friends Rosalia, Consuelo, Teresita, and Francisca that she is in love ("I Feel Pretty"). 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. Prince refused to spend money on new construction, and Smith was obliged to improve what he had as best he could with very little money to do it. "Gee, Officer Krupke" is moved before "Cool" and is sung by Riff instead of Action, and "Cool" is sung by Ice instead of Riff. 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". Search for "West Side Story" on Amazon.com, Title: [70], The original Australian production opened in October 1960 at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, before touring to the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney in February 1961. The ball is intercepted by Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, Bernardo drops the ball, Riff picks it up, 20th Century Studios Hires Four New Creative Execs Under President Steve Asbell (Exclusive), Lynn Stalmaster, Legendary Casting Director, Dies at 93, Everything Coming to Netflix in June 2020, Editors' Picks: Our Favorite Things From the Week of Jan. 28, Broadway to Hollywood Musical Adaptations. The two draw their switchblades and get in a fight ("The Rumble"). 18 wins & 10 nominations. Just as Tony sees Maria alive, Chino arrives and shoots Tony. Anonymous. The cast featured Don McKay (Tony), Julia Migenes (Maria) and Luba Lisa (Anita). Every member of both gangs was always a potential killer even then. Sondheim auditioned by playing the score for Saturday Night, his musical that was scheduled to open in the fall. The American theatre took a venturesome forward step when the firm of Griffith & Prince presented West Side Story at the Winter Garden last evening. It was produced by the Moon Troupe in 1998 and again in 1999 by the Star Troupe. Juvenile delinquency is seen as an ailment of society: "No one wants a fella with a social disease!" The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10, including Best Picture, becoming the record holder for the most wins for a musical. [36] A London production originated at Leicester Haymarket Theatre in early 1984 and transferred on May 16, 1984 to Her Majesty's Theatre. 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. Most impressive is the actor playing Ice (Tucker Smith) who figures prominently in the finger-snapping "Cool" number. At least he does have some chemistry with Natalie and obviously put his heart and soul into his performing. 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… The opening is a carefully choreographed, half-danced/half-mimed ballet of sorts. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. A black police detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racially hostile southern town. 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). When hero Larry Kert is stomping out the visionary insistence of "Something's Coming" both music and tumultuous story are given their due. With Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez. He was outvoted on other issues: he felt the lyrics to "America" and "I Feel Pretty" were too witty for the characters singing them, but they stayed in the score and proved to be audience favorites. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer star in this classic musical retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet' set among New York's warring gangs. Maria confesses to Anita that she is not in love with Chino. 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. Anita is the girlfriend of Bernardo and a close friend and confidante to his sister Maria. They are warned by police officers Krupke and Lt. Schrank to stop fighting on their beat. Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, Columbus Avenue & West 60th Street, New York City, New York, USA. It shows the growing tensions between the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, a gang made up of "American" boys. With Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn. For other uses, see, Stage musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. ", 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=1012869003, 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. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. Allen won the Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. This is followed by a monologue by the ineffective Lt. Schrank trying to find out the location of the rumble. Though Bernardo taunts and provokes Tony, ridiculing his attempt to make peace, Tony keeps his composure. Gradually, all the members of both gangs assemble on either side of Tony's body, showing that the feud is over. In 1947, Jerome Robbins approached Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents about collaborating on a contemporary musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. [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. [49][50] The cast recording won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Sharks arrive to discuss weapons to use in the rumble. "[84], Bernstein's score for West Side Story blends "jazz, Latin rhythms, symphonic sweep and musical-comedy conventions in groundbreaking ways for Broadway. A grieving Anita arrives at Maria's apartment.
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