West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeares romeo and juliet. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. Jerome robbins conceived the idea of the musical and choreographed it as well. Stephen spielberg west side story news, premiere date. Rita morenos role as anita in west side story led the legendary puerto rican star to her academy award, but there were a couple of things she says she. America by west side story cast ensemble songfacts. How the music of west side story builds racial tension. Half a century plus after its original release, west side story still stands as a milestone in movie musical history. Two youngsters from rival new york city gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. West side story is a musical that was first a broadway show in 1957 then a film version in 1961. Many people believe west side story is the pinnacle of musical theatre achievement, thanks to the way it blurred the lines between musical and opera. West side story and the american idea of getting along.
With natalie wood, george chakiris, richard beymer, russ tamblyn. It takes the same theme as shakespeares, romeo and juliet, in that it is about two lovers whose relationship is not accepted by others because of conflicting backgrounds. West side story prologue sharks opens with bernardo red shirt shark. Clenched fists, stillness, sharp clicks and looks, changes of direction, with responsive arms. For the superlativeminded, west side story is the most expensive musical film ever made. Action tony mordente is one of the ace men of the jets. Welcome to the dollhouse film still pretty, and witty, at 50 fifty years ago, the film version of the acclaimed broadway musical premiered in theaters across the country. An analysis of the success of west side story by howard goodall, extracted from the tv show twentieth century greats.
Take the america sequence, which shows the competition but seductive playfulness between the puerto rican men and. West side story is the musical adaptation of william shakespeares romeo and juliet. West side story the musical essay 498 words bartleby. While many fans of the classic musical would disagree, sondheim describes the score as embarrassing and said in. Analysis of west side story west side story came out in 1961 as a melodramatic musical that took place in new york. There are many different characters in the story to dress up as for halloween, a party or even. Bernardo everywhere grime in america, organized crime in america, terrible time in america. Robbins acute observation and his mastery of ballet informed the style of each leap and gesture in west side story. Roger ebert was the film critic of the chicago suntimes from 1967 until his death in 20. Oct 18, 2016 west side story is a magnificent show, a milestone in movie musicals, a boxoffice smash. Spielbergs west side story is one of two adaptations of the classic musical in development, with the other an upcoming broadway production to. The movie, filled with exhilarating dance sequences choreographed by jerome robbins and memorable songsincluding tonight, maria, and somewhereby leonard bernstein music and stephen sondheim lyrics, won 10. Like some of the others, his nickname is indicative of his personality.
In 1950s new york city, two rival gangs are fighting for dominance of the streets. West side story was originally about jews and catholics. Whats harder to spot is the way dance can tell a story. This romantic musical update of romeo and juliet won ten oscars. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, the musical had become one of the most. West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeare s romeo and juliet. West side story summary and study guide supersummary.
This 39page guide for west side story by irving shulman includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. This song is known for its fugal treatment of a jazz figure, described by one writer as possibly the most complex instrumental music heard on broadway to date use in popular culture. Essays for west side story 1961 film west side story 1961 film essays are academic essays for citation. West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy romeo and juliet. Dec 21, 2017 in a mirror image of west side story, seen through a glass, darkly, to kill a mockingbird, written in 1960 and also made into a movie that, like west side story, i was allowed. Aug 22, 2018 as west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as more than art. A comparison of the west side story 860 words 4 pages. In 1961, west side story, a filmed version of the hit broadway musical that was inspired by william shakespeares romeo and juliet, was released to viewers, who just could not resist the energy and excitement of the movie.
Leonard bernstein composed the music and stephen sondheim wrote the lyrics. Robert wise and jerome robbins create an experience for the ages. In many musicals, even the great ones, there is a clunker of a song or two. Although west side story was named the best picture of 1961 and won 10 academy awards, it is not much mentioned by movie fans these days, and the old warhorse singin in the rain is probably more seen and certainly better loved. The sharks mostly recent puerto rican immigrants and the jets mostly second generation european immigrants circa 1960. Sep 23, 2016 west side story is a movie musical and an adaptation of the 1957 broadway musical based on the same name and inspired by william shakespeares romeo and juliet. The tonight quintet is a number from the musical west side story 1957, with music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim.
Oct 17, 2011 west side story film still pretty, and witty, at 50 fifty years ago, the film version of the acclaimed broadway musical premiered in theaters across the country. Anybodys susan oakes is a minor character in west side story. 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 pyramus and thisbe actors worked over 16. Coupled with bernsteins miraculous tunes, heres how the genius composer managed to bridge the gap between musical theatre and opera. West side story, theatre music by american composer leonard bernstein that premiered august 19, 1957, in washington, d. An analysis of the song america in the movie the west side. In west side story we visit romeo and juliet in new york among feuding street gangs. Allen then continues the dance phrase in quick time while the background dancers, in a straight line, are. The musical piece in west side story entitled america is one of the most memorable from the film. The musical is a 20thcentury american adaptation of the shakespearean tale of romeo and juliet. Essay about analysis of west side story 1161 words bartleby. In west side story, somewhere is sung by a girl not a character in the story, and comes after tony confesses to maria that he has killed her brother in a brawl.
Everything we know so far about the west side story remake. Analysis of the story west side story 750 words 3 pages. In some productions it is sung by maria soprano, or is fashioned into a duet and sung by both maria and tony tenor. As west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as more than art. Although it may seem at first glance to be a relatively light hearted and fun song, and its entertainment valuable is undeniable, there is also some level of satire in it. For once, the bonus features add significantly to the experience with a host of facts and comparative original cast recordings with the dubbed voices of the released feature which were extremely interesting. Essay about analysis of west side story 1161 words.
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 pyramus and thisbe. West side story has some of the toughest and most elaborate dance moves youll ever see. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. In west side story story, there are two many characters they are tony and maria. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. This play was a readaptation of the playwright by william shakespeare romeo and juliet.
West side story musical by bernstein and sondheim and. Youve reached the hub for any and all dramatica analysis of west side story. It looks a little dated in places, but sondheimbersteins musical take on romeo and juliet still has snap, crackle and pop, writes peter. Oct 02, 2019 spielbergs west side story is one of two adaptations of the classic musical in development, with the other an upcoming broadway production to be directed by ivo van hove, produced by scott. Featured in the musical west side story, america has music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. Get an answer for in cool from west side story, where is there evidence of the characters struggling. West side story is a story that was transitioned from a play to a movie. The song lyrics by stephen sondheim is meant to show the clash of cultures not just between different ethnic groups but also within a group. It was an artistic confrontation of social issues from immigration and bigotry to economic inequality and gang. Let it be noted that the film musical, the one dramatic.
West side story was the kind of musical people thought was good for them, a pious expression of admirable but. How accurately does the song america, from the musical. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of west side story 1961 film by robert wise. When you was my age my old man was my age, my brother was my age.
Other renown collaborated with him for this production to be a hit. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question more analysis whale rider. For over a year now speculation has raged about the prospect of a cinematic remake of beloved musical classic west side story. West side story was the first musical i encountered with a latina lead character. It is a classic love story about tony, who is a member of the jets, who falls in love with maria, who is the sister of a member of a rival gang called the sharks. The movie, filled with exhilarating dance sequences choreographed by jerome robbins and. A comparison of the power struggles in romeo and juliet and west side story. Westside story is a modern musical representation of the classic story romeo and juliet. Having said that, it still pulls off the odd trick or two that deviates from our. When stephen sondheim talks about west side story decades after its broadway debut in 1957, it is clear that for him, most of the songs did not hold up well over time. But west side story was made while the hays codeformal censorship guidelines adopted by the movie industrywas still in effect, which meant you couldnt get too graphic. West side story wraps production, steven spielberg thanks. It was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. Musical masterpiece tackles race, with some violence.
A boy like that whod kill your brother, forget that boy and find another. The feuding families become two warring new york city gangsthe white jets led by riff and the latino sharks, led by bernardo. She falls in love with tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. West side story is a magnificent show, a milestone in movie musicals, a boxoffice smash.
How did bernsteins west side story bridge the gap between. Anybodys is a tomboy and often tags along with the jets even though most of them, especially arab and baby john, dont like her much. The leader of the first ones decided on the next dance to challenge bernardo, the leader of the second. Steven spielberg met with puerto ricans about west side. West side story film still pretty, and witty, at 50. West side story is a beautifullymounted, impressive, emotionridden and violent musical which, in its stark approach to a raging social problem and realism of unfoldment, may set a pattern. Oja has written that, with the tonight quintet, bernstein once again created a masterpiece of ensemble, one that rivals the best of such moments in european opera. Oct 10, 2014 an analysis of the success of west side story by howard goodall, extracted from the tv show twentieth century greats. West side story is one of the most watchable movies ever made. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Jan 31, 2014 the song lyrics by stephen sondheim is meant to show the clash of cultures not just between different ethnic groups but also within a group. In a mirror image of west side story, seen through a glass, darkly, to kill a mockingbird, written in 1960 and also made into a movie that, like west side story, i was allowed.
Cool is a song from the 1957 musical west side story. West side story is groundbreaking in a lot of ways, but when it comes to delivering the information, it tends to rely on the triedandtrue technique of moving to the character we need to see when we need to see him or her, then moving back as the story demands. West side story wraps production, steven spielberg. West side story movie analysis linkedin slideshare. Her remark echoes the earlier view of will crutchfield. An analysis of west side story with the audio attached for some of the key features that bernstein uses. As a colombianamerican, i am humbled by the opportunity to play a. An interlude of more dancing bernardo i think i go back to san juan anita i know a boat you can get. Rita morenos shocking anecdote about her west side story. Street gangs and gang warfare a very present reality in new york city at the time the shows creators envisioned it were rough, suggestive, crude, violent, and possessed of a distinctive swagger. 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. The sharks and the jets are rival gangs fighting for the same territory. West side story was the kind of musical people thought was good for them, a pious expression of admirable but unrealistic liberal sentiments, and certainly its.
And the sooner you creeps get hip to that, the sooner youll dig us. Analysis of west side story analysis of west side story west side story came out in 1961 as a melodramatic musical that took place in new york. West side story 1961 is an energetic, widelyacclaimed, melodramatic musical a modernday, loose retelling of shakespeares romeo and juliet tragedy of feuding families, although the setting is the upper west side of new york city in the late 1950s with conflict between rival street gangs rather than families. An analysis of the song america in the movie the west side story.