West Side Story

West Side Story musical summary:

On the Upper West Side of New York in the 50s, two teenage street gangs clash. On one side the Jets, white Americans and on the other side, the Sharks, from Puerto Rico. The two clans keep provoking each other. At a ball, Tony, the former head of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the head of the Sharks. As they fall in love, the rivalry between the two clans escalates. During a fight, Bernardo kills Riff, Tony's best friend. In a fit of rage, Tony stabs Bernardo.

The impossible love of the two teenagers and the social problems are underlined by sublime music by Leonard Bernstein and choreography by Jerome Robbins.

Find the trailer for the 1961 film, directed by Robert Wise:

General information

Style : Classical, Romance, Tragedy
Theme : Love, Rivalry, Violence, New York, United States, Humor
year of creation : 1957
History of creation : Robert Wise was chosen to direct the film. Having no experience with musical films, he called on Jerome Robbins to direct the singing and dancing sequences. The production company, concerned about the production costs Jerome Robbins was spending, fired him. Robert Wise insisted that the choreographer be given the title of co-director.

Music

Composer : Leonard Bernstein
Lyricist : Arthur Laurents
Librettist :Stephen Sondheim
famous songs : "Maria" "Somewhere" "Tonight" "America" "I Feel Pretty" "Gee Officer Krupkee" "One Hand, One Heart"
Famous performers : Chita Rivera, George Chakiris, Elizabeth Taylor, Larry Kert, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer.

kinships

Inspired by another work : The musical is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in mid-1950s New York.
Exists in film : The musical was adapted into a film in 1961 by the director and choreographer of the show, Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise.

Awards

Appointments and Awards : Nominated for 6 Tonys, won 2. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10.
Number of years on display : 3
Number of performances : 1040
anecdotes : The show was 2 years at the top of shows on Broadway. The musical was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, but The Music Man won the award.