With additional resources for students and directors, west side story school edition makes the iconic musical more accessible and meaningful for high school performers. Summary read a plot overview of the entire play or a. West side story summary and study guide supersummary. Leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west. 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 majestys theatre on 12. As west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as more than art. He is the author of ten books, including the novels the amboy. Read a character analysis of juliet, plot summary, and important quotes. This is the work that perhaps more than any other made the creatively bountiful bernsteins name, exemplifying.
Anita is marias friend and, so far, has nothing to do with the plot. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free. Conceived in 1949, west side story has a serious message that pleads for racial tolerance, delivered in unforgettable song and dance. Two teenagers from rival new york city gangs fall in love, but tensions between their friends build towards tragedy. West side story by irving shulman, 1967, pocket books edition, in english west side story 1967 edition open library. Romeo and juliet and west side story signet classic shakespeare. First look at steven spielbergs west side story revealed.
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. West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. Maria was young and innocent and had never known loveuntil tony. West side story has long been a dream project for spielberg, who has directed films such as jaws, jurassic park, e. It was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. Just as romeo and juliet are born to rival families, tony and maria are associated with rival gangs. 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. 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. Terms of use west side story film 1961 metrogoldwynmayer studios inc. Books by arthur laurents author of west side story edition. Looking at the selections of music above and considering typical musical theatre music of the time, you might guess that they were instrumental lines involved in the accompaniment of a piece. It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet. West side story chapter 3 big trouble in this chapter. Very interesting to compare contrast on that side of the.
Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. The question and answer section for west side story 1961 film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. In my book club we took the comparison between this and the outsides. 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 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. From the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest stories of all time. Leonard bernstein america film lyrics genius lyrics. Plot summary for west side story 1961, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. The musical was written with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by bernstein and stephen. And he, who had been seeking something beyond the savagery of the streets, discovered it with her.
The resulting film was a tremendous critical as well as commercial successwises biggest hit to dateand received 10 academy awards, including best picture. A novelization of the broadway musical tony and maria find their love threatened by the hatred of two rival new york street gangs. Crazy to think that what happens takes place in that time frame. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The complete vocal score to one of the most beloved. Inspired by shakespeares tumultuous love story romeo and juliet, and set. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. From the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest.
It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. But marias brother was leader of the sharks and tony had once. However, the sections above are all vocal lines in west side story. The original stage musical of west side story now revived and touring to seattle differs from the wellknown film in key ways.
They came together through love but violence threatened to tear them apart. America comes from the 1957 broadway musical, west side story. The feuding families become two warring new york city gangsthe white jets led by riff and the latino sharks, led by bernardo. West side story book by irving shulman official publisher page. People have been listening to that message, and humming the songs, ever since the show premiered on broadway in 1957 and debuted on. West side story film cast members rita moreno, russ tamblyn and george chakiris reunite on the talk to talk about their time filming the classic adaptation of the broadway musical. Murphy 7 december 2006 west side story chapter 3 in this chapter, anita is making the dress for maria. 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 by irving shulman from the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest stories of all time. Arthur laurentss most popular book is romeo and juliet and west side story. West side story is a musical with book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. The music was composed by leonard bernstein, and the lyrics were written by stephen sondheim. When i first found this book, i couldnt believe my eyes, i got the script for west side story and romeo and juliet together in one volume, so i had the words to all.
Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. West side story and the american idea of getting along. All young people should read, see what america is and lessons that need to be learned. It was an artistic confrontation of social issues from immigration and bigotry to economic inequality and gang. West coast author misha berson got it right when she observes that west side storys place in worldwide popular culture exceeds that of a. And unlike the typical broadway musical of the 1950s and before, west side story does not offer audiences a happy ending. The official website the official website, in all its glory. Heres a short compare and contrast by seattle times. From west side story i learned about tragedy, and love, and sex, and the idea that things can go very, very wrong, in an instant.
West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy romeo and juliet. Westside stories used books we have decided to permanently close westside stories after 8 years of serving the buffalos west side. Please view my other interesting uploads and documentaries. Leonard bernstein, jerome robbins, and the road to west side story when leonard bernstein and jerome robbins met 75 years ago, they were young men hungry for their big break. West side story shows how racism and xenophobia create a system that dooms the youths of working class families. Photograph by hank walker the life picture collection getty.
West side story reunion w rita moreno, russ tamblyn. West side story was originally about jews and catholics. 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. Conceived in 1949, west side story has a serious message that pleads. West side story based on a conception of jerome robbins book by music by lyrics by arthur leonard stephen laurents bernstein sondheim choreography by jerome robbins rehearsal script as of october 21, 2008. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. 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. West side story overview the best broadway source for west side story tickets and west side story information, photos and videos. They are getting ready for the party thats in a few hours. West side books is an independent bookstore in the historic highlands neighborhood of northwest denver, providing new and used books to the community since 1997 over twenty years. West side story school edition music theatre international.
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