Crazy to think that what happens takes place in that time frame. Should i just watch the movie, if so, where can i watch it. It started out as a successful broadway musical, before becoming an extremely popular film in 1961. 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 buzzfeed is the shakespeare of the. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. Very interesting to compare contrast on that side of the. 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. They came together through love but violence threatened to tear them apart. I honestly liked this book because it was a quick read with a good plot. West side story was very innovative, especially for its time period. Murphy 7 december 2006 west side story chapter 4 this is the party chapter. The movie is an adaption of the 1957 broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet.
In my book club we took the comparison between this and the outsides. Social issues in west side story the odyssey online. It is also a collaborative medium, in which the librettist, composer, lyricist, director, and choreographer determine together the details of plot and action, the style and tone of the production, and how music, movement, and language will be used to best convey the story they. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, a multiracial, bluecollar neighborhood. West side story, theatre music by american composer leonard bernstein that premiered august 19, 1957, in washington, d.
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 story revolves around quarrelsome families of two new york city gangs the white jets led by the riff and the puerto rican sharks, led by bernardo. But here you are and what was just a world is a star. It opened on broadway at the winter garden theatre on 26 september 1957, and on the west end at her majestys theatre. Clipping is a handy way to collect important slides you want to go back to later. West side story is coming out on bluray, my fair lady is also making its bluray debut. Murphy 7 december 2006 west side story chapter 3 in this chapter, anita is making the dress for maria. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim.
The broadway musical is a commercial art form that often aspires to, and occasionally attains, high art. However, robbins insisted on so many takes of his scenes that he was fired before the. Classroom supplement in celebration of carnegie hall s 125th anniversary season, the weill music institute wmi launches the somewhere project, a citywide exploration of west side story. And he, who had been seeking something beyond the savagery of the streets, discovered it with her. West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeares romeo and juliet. Check out the two amiright misheard lyrics books including one book devoted to misheard lyrics of the 1980s. Shulman also wrote the original treatment for rebel without a cause, the film that shot james dean to stardom. A comprehensive database of west side story quizzes online, test your knowledge with west side story quiz questions. View quote singing gee, officer krupke, were very upset. Get to know the back story of west side story, plus some fun facts about how it came. Important events we are also introduced to tonys views on gang life. West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage.
The musicals that were produced around that time period were meant to be strictly for entertainment, for the most part. The story is loosely based on shakespeares romeo and juliet. 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 tells a story of how tony a polish america who used to lead the local gang, the jets and maria a puerto rican teen part of the rivaling gang find love despite their backgrounds and public opinions. West side story is a musical tragedy film, directed by robert wise and jerome robbins, which is an awardwinning and adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, romeo and juliet. The jets meet the sharks there, with both sides bringing their girlfriends. As part of the project, wmi has partnered with soundfly to produce an eightpart interactive online companion course that is available. West side story continues to be mounted regularly in high schools, universities, community and regional theaters, and in firstclass revivals around the world. Five fast facts winner of 10 academy awards soundtrack was no 1 on the billboard charts for 54 weeks 94% on rotten tomatoes based on romeo and juliet, which is based on a poem by arthur brooke called the tragic historye of romeus and juliet, which is based on a poem by the roman poet ovid called.
It was a very brave move for the creative team of this musical to tackle themes like racism, violence, and death. 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. Screenwriter ernest lehman adapted the film west side story from the hit play of the same name, which opened on broadway in 1957 and ran there for 732 performances. Far less well known is the fact that shakespeare based his play 1594 on other material, particularly a narrative poem by arthur brooke entitled the tragicall historye of romeus and juliet 1562. Need reed 1 book from west side story sax on the web forum. These two sing about the sun and stars a lot when professing their love. With its interwoven love story, racial commentary, gang violence, plus catchy song and dance numbers, there was something for everyone in. West side story is a 1961 american romantic musical tragedy movie by robert wise and jerome robbins.
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. Written in the mid1950s, west side story showcased adult themes and. Take a look below for 28 more interesting and fascinating facts about west side story. 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. Rival street gangs engage in relatively harmless activities until one fight spells tragedy for two young lovers. The musical is a 20thcentury american adaptation of the shakespearean tale of romeo and juliet. On the other hand, in the rise and fall of the broadway musical, mark grant concentrates on the growth of the musical in light of changes in technology and music, and in writing the book and lyrics. With the overwhelming success of the film version of west side story in 1961 and its ongoing popularity, the show and its score were more fully appreciated and embraced by audiences. My brother, sister, and i have always had west side story in our lives. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free. It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. Immediately download the west side story summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching west side story. The music was composed by leonard bernstein, and the lyrics were written by stephen sondheim.
From the east side story to audrey hepburns starring role. Theres a lot of plot in west side story but its scenes are probably the shortest of any book musical thats ever existed. The show continues to seduce in a theatrical language that remains universal. Already new the soundtrack by heart we had the stage version lp just wanted to be one the dancing america girls heymrshesmysister. However, robbins insisted on so many takes of his scenes that he was fired before the movie was completed. Originally published in the britannica book of the year. The members of the sharks, from puerto rico, are taunted by the jets, a white gang. He got leonard bernstein music and arthur laurents book on board. Works stage west side story 1957 leonard bernstein. Just 12 days before west side story premiered in d. 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.
West side story by irving shulman, 1967, pocket books edition, in english west side story 1967 edition open library. Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. West side story my parents took me to the just released movie for my birthday. Anita is marias friend and, so far, has nothing to do with the plot. 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. West side story chapter 4 instead bernardo is kind of. West side story is the thing jerome robbins is most famous for, but he was a prolific choreographer for broadway, hollywood and. West side story was a broadway musical by leonard bernstein that was turned into an awardwinning musical film.
Im not very proud of myself for ignoring the fact that jerry informed. The shocking story behind west side story fame focus. West side story was a modern, urban adaption of romeo and juliet set in gritty 1950s new york. Need reed 1 book from west side story i dont have a copy of the book but ive played the show. 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. Hinton tells the story of 14yearold ponyboy curtis and his struggle with right and wrong in a society in which he is. They are getting ready for the party thats in a few hours. Their inspiration came from a piece of dialogue that. Today, the world was just an address a place for me to live in, no better than all right.
Our online west side story trivia quizzes can be adapted to suit your requirements for taking some of the top west side story quizzes. The further we get in time from when west side story was written, the more the musicals mythic dimensions come into focus. The famous five and the secret seven log in or sign up. From the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest stories of all time. West side story, one of the most groundbreaking musicals of all time, opens at the western stage on august 9. Swain spend an entire chapter on the analysis of west side story.
The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. This is the only production currently showing and dancing the original choreography of jerome robbins. 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. West side storys message to children manila for kids. A musical set on the west side of new york city around 1957. The dialogue implies that tony left the jets a long time ago, but is still in good relations with them. West side story guide and commentary by jack gottlieb. Plot summary for west side story 1961, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. West side story musical by bernstein and sondheim and. This shows us that unlike many of the jets, he has a good conscience. There are several more catalogue titles getting a bluray doubledip, like evil dead ii. Interesting facts about the creation of west side story. Arthur laurents july 14, 1917 may 5, 2011 was an american playwright, stage director and screenwriter after writing scripts for radio shows after college and. West side story musical by bernstein and sondheim and robbins.