The performance, given by the john wilson orchestra and a terrific cast was a. Yet his most famous writing was the book, the great. The classic leonard bernstein musical that began sondheims career, based on shakespeares romeo and juliet. West side story synopsis west side story songs main page. Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. 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. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. You can start by visiting the archives section of there, you can. After a twoweek run at philadelphias erlanger theatre, the show opened on broadway at the winter garden theatre on september 26, 1957. Laurents, who wrote the book for west side story, decided that, at 91, he was ready not. Feb 20, 2020 i was more than ready for a brash, new west side story, especially after the anodyne sweetness of its last broadway outing in 2009, staged by arthur laurents, who wrote the shows original.
West side story character listing staples players blog. West side story was the first film to win the best picture academy award. West side story is an upcoming 2020 american romantic musical film directed and coproduced by steven spielberg, with a screenplay by tony kushner. The official website the official website, in all its glory. In different productions it is assigned to different characters in our production it will be auditioned and assigned as unconnected to any other role. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important. After owning their miserable little neighborhood for years, the jets, the fingersnapping street gang led by riff russ tamblyn, find themselves in a turf war with the upstart puerto rican sharks, led by bernardo george chakiris. Tony a romantic young man and former leader of the jets, he has found a new lifestyle now.
It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet. This 39page guide for west side story by irving shulman includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth. The items on display provide a rare window into this complex process. Somethings coming is a song from the 1957 musical west side story. Crazy to think that what happens takes place in that time frame. Hes a jewish gay guy remaking west side story a musical about polish and puerto rican gangs, originally written by four jews. West side story pamphlet movie souvenir programme program jan 01, 1961. A really good book that always has me wanting to keep reading, it has parts that. 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 ancient grudges are no match for true love.
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. With video cameras and new dances and faces, ivo van hove. The musical is a 20thcentury american adaptation of the shakespearean tale of romeo and juliet. The leader of the first ones decided on the next dance to challenge bernardo, the leader of the second. It was composed by leonard bernstein with lyrics by stephen sondheim and is sung solo by the male lead character and tenor tony. 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. 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. Luckily for us, they found an entirely new way to tell the story of romeo and juliet. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. West side story characters test flashcards quizlet.
But the nerviest alteration to west side story has to be extracting the choreography of robbins, who dreamed up the musical with sondheim, composer leonard bernstein and book writer arthur. Peter n the song america is sung by the puerto rican sharks. West side story by irving shulman goodreads share book. West side story musical by bernstein and sondheim and. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25. 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. David dacosta listed that fact first among the reasons his.
These characters are from both sides of the compass and play a particular role throughout the progression of the story. 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. West side story and the american idea of getting along. The question and answer section for west side story 1961 film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Maria is the younger sister of bernardo, the leader of the sharks, and she has only recently moved to new york as an immigrant. The opening prologue from the 10time academy award winning musical film west side story, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary on november 15, 2011. 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. Join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. West side story movie souvenir programme program on. West side story characters learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. 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 city s west side in the 1950s. Tony the best friend of riff and former jet leader who has turned to an honest life. Reviewed in the united states on december 27, 2019. How do i get started on researching more information about west side story. Laurents, who wrote the book for west side story, decided that, at 91, he was ready not only to revive this classic musical but also, for the first.
To ask other readers questions about west side story, please sign up. West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. She falls in love with tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. These gangs are gleefully malevolent, filled with the kind of hate we unfortunately see around us so much today. Mar 15, 2009 these and other changes are partly why mr. Who are the main characters and who played them in the movie. The part of tony was played by larry kert in the original broadway production and by richard beymer voiced by jimmy bryant in the 1961 film. A summary of west side story 378 words 123 help me.
The music was composed by leonard bernstein, and the lyrics were written by stephen sondheim. Setting compare and contrast plot the book west side story takes place on the west side of new york city in the 1950s. West side story addresses the tension between established white youths like the jets, a gang that laurents dubs an anthology of what is called american, and puerto rican teenagers who represent a new wave of immigrants laurents, et al, west side story, p. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Gay music for consuelo, who is examining herself in the.
When west side story opened in 1957, jets and sharks were punks, boys gone wrong who, one inferred, mightve been rehabilitated before or after juvenile detention. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, a multiracial, bluecollar neighborhood. I was more than ready for a brash, new west side story, especially after the anodyne sweetness of its last broadway outing in 2009, staged by arthur laurents, who wrote the shows original. The scenes in the book mostly take place at a drugstore, a playground and on the streets. The new production is directed by tony award winner ivo van hove. Meanwhile, laurents had written a new draft of the book changing the characters backgrounds. Riff the leader george chakiris tony his friend don mckay action eddie roll arab tony mordente baby john ed verso snowboy. When west side story opened on broadway in 1957, it was a new kind of musical. 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 ancient grudges are no. Whenever i see a movie or stage production of a play, i am always interested to read the actual book to have a different perspective on the characters and overall plot. Whether youre team sharks or team jets, one thing is certain about west side story. Rival street gangs engage in relatively harmless activities until one fight spells tragedy for two young lovers.
As seen in west side story, the broadway musical is a collaborative medium which involves the librettist, composer, lyricist, director, and choreographer how to best convey the story they wish to tell. The 1957 musical west side story was a collaboration among composer leonard bernstein, lyricist stephen sondheim, and choreographer jerome robbins. West side story character descriptions acting out theatre co. Mar 09, 2020 when west side story opened in 1957, jets and sharks were punks, boys gone wrong who, one inferred, mightve been rehabilitated before or after juvenile detention.
Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like immigration, xenophobia, and american national identity and love versus hate. Section two show synopsis west side story tells of two rival gangs. There is a door between the bedroom and the parlor. The juliet in this interpretation of shakespeares romantic tragedy is maria. West side story prologue official full number 50th. This 39page guide for west side story by irving shulman includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free. The resulting film was a tremendous critical as well as commercial successwises biggest hit to dateand received 10 academy awards, including best picture. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The musical is a 20thcentury american adaptation of. West side story test west side story chapters 610 quiz. A galvanizing new revival of west side story opened thursday night on broadway, minus some familiar sights and sounds.
West side story remake presents problems for tony kushner. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. The score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. A musical set on the west side of new york city around 1957. When tony goes to support the jets at a school dance he meets maria, the sister of the sharks leader, bernardo, and falls in love. Arthur laurents book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. Aug 12, 2018 t he first of the two proms performances of leonard bernsteins west side story was great, if sometimes problematic. In my book club we took the comparison between this and the outsides. West side story characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. Feb, 2020 but the nerviest alteration to west side story has to be extracting the choreography of robbins, who dreamed up the musical with sondheim, composer leonard bernstein and book writer arthur. Instead of fair verona, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean, its the mean streets of 1950s new york city, where young gangs rumble over the right to walk down the street. A grim take on west side story ivo van hoves new interpretation of the iconic musical is an infuriating example of what happens when a powerful style calcifies into shtick. From 1973 to 2004, wild side story, a camp parody musical, based loosely on west side story and adapting parts of.
On the contrary, the boys are singing about wanting to go back to puerto rico. The girls who sing in this song are singing about how much they hate puerto rico and love america. These gangs are gleefully malevolent, filled with the kind of. Cover such areas as housing, jobs, discrimination, or difficulty in. West side story began its out of town performances at the national theatre in washington, d. T he first of the two proms performances of leonard bernsteins west side story was great, if sometimes problematic. A changed west side story returns to a changed new york. This is a great product for fans of west side story.
West side story 1961 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and. West side story education pack by curve theatre issuu. The film is an adaptation of the broadway musical of the same name by arthur laurents, leonard bernstein and stephen sondheim, which is based loosely on shakespeares romeo and juliet. West side story, theatre music by american composer leonard bernstein that premiered august 19, 1957, in washington, d. Very interesting to compare contrast on that side of the. In creating west side story, which characters from romeo and juliet did the. West side story summary and study guide supersummary.
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