West side story explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. With book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, and lyrics by stephen sondheim, the original 1957. Youll be the first to hear about exclusive presales and any news about west side story. It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet. The show continues to seduce in a theatrical language that remains universal. From the mambo craze of the 1950s to the works ongoing permeation of popular culture, wells looks at the myriad ways in which this canonic musical reflects and refracts. Arthur laurents was born on july 14, 1918 in brooklyn, new york city, new york, usa as arthur levine. Cultural perspectives on an american musical, wells presents a major scholarly study of the famous american musical west side story, viewing the work from cultural, historical, and musical perspectives.
Buy west side story by arthur laurents, stephen sondheim isbn. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. 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. With a book by arthur laurents gypsy, rope, beautifully intricate music by. The moment the curtain went up on the original west side story on broadway, musical theatre changed forever hailed as the greatest broadway musical of all time, the genius of west side storys creators is unquestioned. West side story is a musical with book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. Book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim, entire production directed and choreographed by jerome robbins. The remarkable collaboration between leonard bernstein, arthur laurents, stephen sondheim and jerome robbins produced a timeless masterpiece.
A musical in which a modern day romeo and juliet are involved in new york street gangs. Feb, 2020 west side story, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim, book by arthur laurents. Originally a 1957 musical with book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, and lyrics by stephen sondheim, west side story is a modern adaptation of. The dark theme, sophisticated music, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in american musical theatre.
Dec 29, 2015 somewhere from west side story leonard bernstein, conductor marilyn horne, mezzosoprano book by arthur laurents music by leonard bernstein lyrics by stephen sondheim entire original production. West side story tickets new wimbledon theatre atg tickets. It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. West side story is an upcoming 2020 american romantic musical film directed and coproduced by steven spielberg, with a screenplay by tony kushner. A galvanizing new revival of west side story opened thursday night on broadway, minus some familiar sights and sounds. Arthur laurents is the author of musical plays such as west side story, gypsy, anyone can whistle, do i hear a waltz. When four theatrical giants jerome robbins, leonard bernstein, arthur laurents and stephen sondheim created west side story, it was immediately hailed as an indisputable, boundarybusting masterpiece the new york times that explodes every imaginable idea of what a. Easy, yet greatsounding arrangements of eight songs from one of the most beloved musicals of all time. 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. Books by arthur laurents author of west side story edition. As in romeo and juliet, the love between members of two rival groups in west side story leads to violent. Arthur laurents, leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim.
In the midst of the deepseated rivalry between the puerto rican gang. Its still there in arthur laurents book and stephen sondheim. Whittled down to one hour and fortyfive minutes, west side story with book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim, and choreography by jerome robbins. Arthur laurents book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. He was a writer, known for rope 1948, the turning point 1977 and west side story 1961.
The remarkable collaboration between leonard bernstein, arthur laurents, stephen sondheim and jerome robbins produced a. As hard as it is to erase previous productions of the classic musical opera composed by leonard bernstein with lyrics by stephen sondheim and a book by arthur laurents inspired by shakespeares romeo and juliet. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid1950s. Arthur laurents, leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim, jerome robbins arthur laurents, leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim, jerome robbins west side story. 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 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. The best broadway source for west side story tickets and west side story information, photos and videos. Laurents wrote the book for west side story, which updated romeo and juliet to the streets of new york, with gangs. Arthur laurents and stephen sondheim created west side story.
Its one of the lesser known musicals by sondheim, and it tells the story of brooklyn bachelors in search of love. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. West side story, the most exciting musical theater masterpiece of the 20th century. West side story was the first musical i ever did in high school and i am excited to revisit it over 25 years later. The further we get in time from when west side story was written, the more the musicals mythic dimensions come into focus.
Published by random house new york in june 1966 tenth printing. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim and conception and choreography by jerome robbins. Works stage west side story 1957 leonard bernstein. Feb 20, 2020 this gutsy new west side story is unlike any youve seen and its exhilarating. Jan 29, 2020 as broadway musicals go, west side story always feels like a more ambitious undertaking than most. Stephen sondheim may 16 to june 8, 2019 mainstage wednesday saturday shakespeares romeo and juliet is transported to 1950s new york city as two young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Presented by contra costa musical theatre music by leonard bernstein book by arthur laurents lyrics by stephen sondheim march 30 april 29, 2018 inspired by the timeless story of romeo and juliet, shakespeares starcrossed lovers are transplanted to the vibrant battleground of new york citys west side in the 1950s. When four theatrical giants jerome robbins, leonard bernstein, arthur laurents and stephen sondheim created west side story, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece. With ground breaking choreography by the legendary jerome robbins, book by arthur laurents, an unforgettable score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim, west side story changed the face of musical theatre for ever. West side 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 neighborhood was cleared in an urban renewal project for the lincoln center, which changed the neighborhoods character. Terms of use west side story film 1961 metrogoldwynmayer studios inc. Inspired by shakespeares romeo and juliet, west side story follows the developing romance between two young lovers from very different and rivaling backgrounds.
Mar 18, 2020 originally a 1957 musical with book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, and lyrics by stephen sondheim, west side story is a modern adaptation of shakespeares romeo and juliet, with. If you are of a certain age you may have fond memories of what west side story. While the movie version of west side story is among the most faithful of hollywood adaptations, a number of changes were made in translating the work to film, some to suit the medium, others to suit the audience sensibilities, and one or two socalled artistic. Arthur laurents, leonard bernstein and stephen sondheims west side. Conceived in 1949, west side story has a serious message that pleads for. West side story, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim, book by arthur laurents.
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti, 421 west 54th street, new york. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and continue reading. He died on may 5, 2011 in manhattan, new york city. West side story transposes shakespeares romeo and juliet to the gangridden streets of 1950s manhattan, dominated by the sharks and the jets. Random house firm, the feud between two new york teenage gangs abruptly ends the brief happiness shared by maria, a puerto rican girl, and tony, a member of the jets. A memoir of broadway and hollywood, published in 2000. Vocal selections sondheim, stephen, bernstein, leonard on. In it, he discusses his lengthy career and his many gay affairs and longterm relationships, including those with farley granger and tom hatcher august 24, 1929 october 26, 2006. Arthur laurents s most popular book is romeo and juliet and west side story. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim and. Two teens from the bitterenemy gangs meet and fall.
Stephen spielberg west side story news, premiere date. Book by arthur laurents lyrics by stephen sondheim music by leonard bernstein. With video cameras and new dances and faces, ivo van hove. Sponsored by norma and sol kugler west side story based on conception of jerome robbins book by arthur laurents music by leonard bernstein lyrics by stephen sondheim musical direction by darren r. West side story is presented through special arrangement with music theatre international mti. The moment the curtain went up on the original west side story on broadway, musical theatre changed forever.
Full script of the musical west side story in hardcover format. Theres a lot of plot in west side story but its scenes are probably the shortest of any book musical thats ever existed. When young lovers tony and maria find themselves starcrossed between two warring street gangs, the struggle to survive the hate, violence, and prejudice on the streets of the city. In the world of west side story hope for the future can reside only in the next generation. Playwright and screenwriter who wrote the books for. Arthur laurentss most popular book is romeo and juliet and west side story.
They planned to stage the conflict between rival catholic and jewish groups. Arthur laurents has 27 books on goodreads with 6978 ratings. West side story porthouse theatre july 23 august 9, 2020 shakespeares classic romeo and juliet is transformed into a musical set in modern day new york city. Leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim west side story. Playwright and screenwriter who wrote the book for. Entire original production directed and choreographed by jerome robbins. The score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim are. West side story is produced and directed by steven spielberg from a script by academy awardnominated screenwriter and pulitzer prizewinning playwright tony kushner. From a norwegian tv series on musical theatre aired in 1980. Arthur laurents july 14, 1917 may 5, 2011 was an american playwright, stage director and.
West side story, book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim. Laurents wrote the book for west side story, which updated romeo and juliet to the streets of new york, with gangs called the jets and the sharks replacing the houses. The score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. The music was composed by leonard bernstein, and the lyrics were written by stephen sondheim. Hailed as the greatest broadway musical of all time, the genius of west side storys creators is unquestioned. Arthur laurents has 27 books on goodreads with 6955 ratings. West side story had a score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim making his broadway debut, while sondheim also provided.
It opened on broadway at the winter garden theatre on 26 september 1957, and on the west end at her majestys theatre on 12 december 1958. The gem of broadway musicals, west side storys commentary on love and prejudice is relevant to any time and place. Notice how parents are kept offstage, with only one good but powerless adultdocanywhere to be seen. While the movie version of west side story is among the most faithful of hollywood adaptations, a number of changes were made in translating the work to film, some to suit the medium, others to suit the audience sensibilities, and one or two socalled artistic choices. West side story takes shakespeares starcrossed lovers, and places them in the vibrant battleground of new york citys west side in the 1950s. The recreation center leader is a clueless idiot and the cops are corrupt racist thugs. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang members falls in love with a rivals sister. May 27, 2017 the makers of west side story discuss its originality. 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. This gutsy new west side story is unlike any youve seen and its exhilarating. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, an ethnic, bluecollar. Ivoryton shakespeares romeo and juliet is transported to modernday new york city in the breathtaking musical, west side story which opens at the ivoryton playhouse on july 5 th.
The film has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 broadway musical, which was written by arthur laurents with music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephen sondheim. 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. Aug 23, 2018 west side story was originally east side story. 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. It was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. Arthur laurents, leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim, jerome. Leading the talented new cast is katie hall as maria and louis maskell as her starcrossed lover tony.
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