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West Side Story 1957 - Articles Page 3

Ages: 12+
Opened: September 26, 1957

West Side Story - 1957 Broadway History , Info & More

West Side Story, a modern Romeo and Juliet set against the backdrop of gang violence, is a powerful and timeless musical. The music was composed by the legendary Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a master of witty and insightful words. Arthur Laurents crafted the book, or script, breathing life into the characters and their struggles. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1957 and quickly garnered critical acclaim, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical.



The story unfolds on the tough streets of New York City. Two rival gangs, the Jets, a white American group, and the Sharks, a Puerto Rican group, clash over territory and simmering tensions. Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader, and Tony, a former member of the Jets, fall passionately in love, oblivious to their gang affiliations. Their forbidden romance unfolds amidst the escalating violence between the Jets and the Sharks, leading to a tragic confrontation that shatters their dreams.



West Side Story's powerful music, with iconic songs like "Somewhere" and "America," combined with its poignant story and exploration of social issues, continues to resonate with audiences. The musical has been revived numerous times on Broadway and around the world, and a film adaptation won ten Academy Awards, solidifying its place as a classic of American musical theater.


West Side Story - 1957 - Broadway Cast

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West Side Story - 1957 - Broadway Articles Page 3

PBS Poetry in America Will Explore Sondheim with FINISHING THE HAT
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2020


On May 9 (7:30pm) PBS Poetry in America will air 'Finishing The Hat' - Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim is widely hailed as the greatest modern American musical theater composer. Series creator Elisa New speaks with Broadway stage actors including Melissa Errico, writer Adam Gopnik, and others to explore Sondheim's singular ability to blend lyrics and music-using as their case study this song from his Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park with George.

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

DRIVING MISS DAISY, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and More Announced in Third Avenue Playhouse 2020 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2020


The Third Avenue Playhouse, located in historic downtown Sturgeon Bay, announces its lineup of six plays for the upcoming 2020 season. The plays include an early career work from playwright David Mamet, a 1964 musical by the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, a multi-award winning classic about the unlikely friendship between an elderly lady and her driver, the story of an unconventional advice columnist, and a farcical take on the making of Gone With The Wind.

GREAT WHITE WAY: RACE AND THE BROADWAY MUSICAL (2nd Ed.) Now Released
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2020


Broadway musicals are one of America's most beloved art forms and play to millions of people each year. But what do these shows, which are often thought to be just frothy entertainment, really have to say about our country and who we are as a nation?

VIDEO: On This Day, September 15 - Henry Miller's Theater Renamed For Stephen Sondheim
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2019


The renaming of the theatre was dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, the greatest and best known artist in American musical theatre on his 80th birthday. 

All Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights for Hal Prince
by Julie Musbach - Jul 31, 2019


The Broadway community mourns the loss of prolific producer, director, writer, and the individual recipient of the most Tony Awards in multiple categories in history, Harold Prince, who passed away on July 31, 2019 at age 91. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, July 31 at exactly 7:45pm.

Neil Simon Theatre Will Dim Lights for Martin Charnin
by Julie Musbach - Jul 11, 2019


The Broadway community mourns the loss of Writer, Composer, Lyricist, Director, and Performer Martin Charnin, who passed away on July 6, 2019 at age 84. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of the Neil Simon Theatre in New York, where his legendary musical Annie first opened, for one minute on Friday, July 12 at exactly 7:45pm.

Wake Up With BWW 3/22: HADESTOWN Begins Previews, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2019


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Chita Rivera Reschedules Dates at Feinstein's at the Nikko
by Julie Musbach - Nov 29, 2018


Feinstein's at the Nikko has announced the rescheduled performance dates for the one-and-only Broadway legend CHITA RIVERA

Leonard Bernstein's NYC Residence Mapped As An LGBT Historic Site
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 24, 2018


The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project has announced the digital publication of the Leonard Bernstein Residence at the Osborne Apartments to its online map, a dynamic continually-evolving catalogue of geographic locations significant to LGBT history.

Craig Jessup Brings SONDHEIM TONIGHT To Feinstein's At The Nikko
by Julie Musbach - Aug 6, 2018


One of the Bay Area's best entertainers celebrates the work of one of our greatest composers. Craig Jessup's Sondheim Tonight! brings together more than a dozen Sondheim gems from some of his earliest shows as a composer/lyricist (Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle) to some of his most beloved (Company, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along). And the show marks Jessup's debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko.

Chita Rivera Brings Solo Show to Feinsteins at the Nikko
by Julie Musbach - Jul 12, 2018


Come celebrate the one-and-only Broadway legend CHITA RIVERA in a unique solo concert event coming to San Francisco'sFeinstein's at the Nikko (222 Mason St.) for four performances only - Friday, November 9 at 8 p.m., Saturday, November 10 at 5 p.m. & 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 11 at 5 p.m.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Comes to San Francisco Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 26, 2018


San Francisco Playhouse (Artistic Director Bill English; Producing Director Susi Damilano) announced casting for the final show of its 2017-18 Mainstage Season--Sunday in the Park with George, the quintessential Stephen Sondheim musical about the art of creation and the creation of art. Bill English will direct the 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical.

Original WEST SIDE STORY Cast Member George Marcy Passes Away
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2018


Veteran Broadway performer George Marcy has died.  The lovable actor, singer, dancer died at his home in Las Vegas, NV in May.  

Royal Ballet Honors Leonard Bernstein's 100th At The River Street Theatre
by Julie Musbach - May 7, 2018


Jaffrey's River Street Theatre (RST) presents The Royal Ballet's special tribute to Leonard Bernstein in honor of his worldwide centenary celebration. This exclusive Monadnock Region RST Stage2Screen presentation will be shown this weekend, May 11-13, as it was staged in London on March 27, 2018, and captured in high definition.

New York City Ballet Announces 2018/2019 Season; Tribute To Jerome Robbins And More!
by Alan Henry - Apr 16, 2018


New York City Ballet's 2018 Spring Season opens on Tuesday, April 24 and will continue for six weeks through June 3. The centerpiece of the Spring Season will be Robbins 100, a celebration of Jerome Robbins, NYCB's co-founding choreographer, whose remarkable contributions to the worlds of ballet and Broadway musical theater have made an indelible impression on both art forms. The three-week celebration will run from May 3 to May 20, featuring 20 works created by Robbins over the course of 40years, as well as two world premiere ballets in tribute to Robbins. Robbins 100 will open on Thursday, May 3 with a Spring Gala performance featuring Robbins'

Astoria Performing Arts Center Announces Cast & Creative Team For FOLLIES
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2018


Award-winning and critically-acclaimed Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC - Jesse Marchese, Executive Director; Dev Bondarin, Artistic Director) concludes its 17th mainstage season with a production of the legendary musical Follies by James Goldman (Book) and Stephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics), directed by APAC artistic director, Dev Bondarin (New York Innovative Theatre Awards nominee for Best Director for APAC's 2017 production of Raisin) and choreographed by Sara Brians (Resident Choreographer, Matilda, Broadway). Follies runs from May 3 - 26, 2018 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St. (at 30th Road), Astoria, NY 11102.

2018 Tanglewood Season Tickets Go On Sale This Sunday, 1/28
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 24, 2018


The 2018 Tanglewood Season, June 15-September 2, is dedicated to the spirit of Leonard Bernstein on the centennial of his birth, with programs celebrating his iconic stature as one of the great artistic figures of the 20th century and his immeasurable contribution to the Tanglewood festival from 1940 to 1990

Craig Jessup to Celebrate Career of Stephen Sondheim
by Julie Musbach - Jan 10, 2018


One of the Bay Area's best entertainers celebrates the work of one of our greatest composers. Craig Jessup's Sondheim Tonight! brings together more than a dozen Sondheim gems from some of his earliest shows as a composer/lyricist (Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle) to some of his most beloved (Company, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along).

Jerome Robbins Centennial Celebration to Bring Performances, Screenings, Talks and More Across NYC
by BWW News Desk - Nov 21, 2017


Jerome Robbins, world renowned for his work as a choreographer and director of ballet and theater, film and television, would have been 100 years old on October 11, 2018. In honor of his life and legacy, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, partnering with other institutions across the country and around the world, will celebrate his centennial year through Spring 2019.

Genius x2: Lin-Manuel Miranda Chats with Stephen Sondheim About Inspiration, Collaboration & More!
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 16, 2017


In a recent interview with T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Lin-Manuel Miranda meets with Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim to chat about their work.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: THE POWER OF MUSIC Exhibition to Feature 100 Artifacts in Philadelphia
by BWW News Desk - Oct 10, 2017


The National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) announces Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music, the first large-scale museum exhibition to illustrate the famed conductor and composer's life, Jewish identity, and social activism.

Warren Carlyle to Choreograph Jerome Robbins Tribute Ballet for NYCB
by BWW News Desk - Oct 4, 2017


This spring New York City Ballet will present a World Premiere ballet by Tony Award-winning choreographer and director Warren Carlyle that pays tribute to the legendary Broadway career of NYCB's co-founding choreographer Jerome Robbins.

Matthew Morrison Withdraws from SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at The Hollywood Bowl
by BWW News Desk - Jul 18, 2017


Due to a professional scheduling conflict, Matthew Morrison has withdrawn from the previously announced performance of Sondheim on Sondheim on Sunday, July 23, at 7.30 pm at the Hollywood Bowl.

Jonathan Groff Signs on for SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at The Hollywood Bowl; Cast Complete!
by BWW News Desk - Jul 10, 2017


The Hollywood Bowl has announced that Sarah Uriarte Berry, Philip Boykin, and Jonathan Groff will complete the cast for a benefit performance of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived and directed on Broadway by James Lapine.

West Side Story History

Other Productions of West Side Story

1957   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1958   West End London Production
West End
1959   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1960   Broadway Return Engagement [Broadway]
Broadway
1964   Broadway City Center Revival
Broadway
1968   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1980   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1991   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1992   Regional (UK) Regional Revival
Regional (UK)
1998   West End London Revival
West End
2006   Houston, TX (Regional) Theatre Under the Stars Production
Houston, TX (Regional)
2009   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2010   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
2015   Washington, DC (Regional) Signature Theatre Production
Washington, DC (Regional)
2018   Washington, DC (Regional) National Symphony Orchestra Concert Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2018   Regional (US) 100th Birthday Celebration Revival Production
Regional (US)
2020   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway

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