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. West side story eng2d1 varahidis new york and puerto rico historical background 19th century rivalries in west side story a larger, more established group who see themselves as the legitimate owners. Maria is a teenage girl who has moved to the upper west side of new york city from puerto rico. The feuding families become two warring new york city gangsthe white jets led by riff and the latino sharks, led by bernardo. The show continues to seduce in a theatrical language that remains universal. 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. This story is about the rivalry between the sharks puerto ricans vs. This groundbreaking collaboration among bernstein, jerome robbins conception and choreography, arthur laurents book, and stephen sondheim lyrics captured the fiber of american society through its best and worst characteristics. In the early 1960s, much of the neighborhood would be cleared to make room for lincoln center, which changed the neighborhood. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim.
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. This storymusical takes place in upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the 1950s early 1960s. 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. I need to read the book by friday, saturday at the latest and i cant find it anywhere. With natalie wood, george chakiris, richard beymer, russ tamblyn. Theres a lot of plot in west side story but its scenes are probably the shortest of any book musical thats ever existed. When it opened on september 26, 1957, west side story received a mixed critical response. The jets and the sharks correspond to the capulets and. And he, who had been seeking something beyond the savagery of the streets, discovered it with her. The show concerns the character and vitality of the people of chicago and is said to have influenced jerome robbinss choreography for west side story. Who are the main characters and who played them in the movie. My brother, sister, and i have always had west side story in our lives. West side story eng2d1 varahidis new york and puerto rico historical background 19th century rivalries in west side story a larger, more established group who see themselves as the legitimate owners of the west side territory the jets do not like that. It takes the same theme as shakespeares, romeo and juliet, in that it is about two lovers whose relationship is not accepted.
Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. Examine the social issues in west side story in addition to being a beautiful and heartfelt work of musical theater, west side story was one of the first musicals to engage with the tough issues of the day, including gang violence, immigration, social inequality, and sexism. He has a girlfriend, anita, who maria is friends with and looks up to. The jets and the sharks correspond to the capulets and the montagues and verona is changed to new york city. The gem of broadway musicals, west side storys commentary on love and prejudice is relevant to any time and place.
The east side of town represents poverty and dysfunction. This story musical takes place in upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the 1950s early 1960s. The title was changed to west side story when the creators realized that gang warfare in new york had moved from the east side to the west. The original stage musical of west side story now revived and touring to seattle differs from the wellknown film in key ways. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Maria is the leading female character in the 1957 stage play and 1961 film west side story. While it seems only natural now, the idea of filming on actual city streets. Location and time upper west side, new york, 1950s, during the last days of summer. West side story opened at new yorks winter garden theater on september 26, 1957, and has remained in the repertory ever since. Free shipping get free shipping free 58 day shipping within the u. 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. West side story by irving shulman, 1967, pocket books edition, in english west side story 1967 edition open library.
It stars natalie wood, richard beymer, russ tamblyn, rita moreno, and george chakiris, and was photographed. Westside story is a modern musical representation of the classic story romeo and juliet. Heres a short compare and contrast by seattle times. Romeo and juliet takes place in the 1500s in the city of verona. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid1950s. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeares romeo and juliet. Manhattans west sidehells kitchen in the mid 1950s. West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy romeo and juliet. Leonard bernstein collection, music division, library of congress 2 used by permission of the robbins rights trust. West side story began on the broadway stage and was immediately recognized as one of the most creative musical productions of the 20th century. On the contrary, the boys are singing about wanting to go back to puerto rico.
Should i just watch the movie, if so, where can i watch it. Reviews are mixed but all agree the work makes an impact. This tragic play tells the story of two teenagers from opposing families, the capulets and the montagues, who fall in love with each other against all odds. 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. 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 film version of 1961 was a smashing success, earning 10 oscars, including. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. After owning their miserable little neighborhood for years, the jets, the fingersnapping street gang led by riff. West side story is set in and around the 1950s on the west side of manhattan, new york city. This area is full of west side story has been a play that i have been wanting to read for quite a long time.
It completely spits in the face the theme that both sides are adding to the conflict. It is based on shakespeares play, romeo and juliet. Peter n the song america is sung by the puerto rican sharks. Shulman also wrote the original treatment for rebel without a cause, the film that shot james dean to stardom. Works stage west side story 1957 leonard bernstein.
While only a short distance away from the lights of manhattan, the place really is a world away. West side story is a 1961 american musical romantic drama film directed by robert wise and jerome robbins. Two youngsters from rival new york city gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. It is a workingclass neighborhood with a mixture of ethnic groups. Just as romeo and juliet are born to rival families, tony and maria are associated with rival gangs. In my book club we took the comparison between this and the outsides. Crazy to think that what happens takes place in that time frame.
Essay about analysis of west side story 1161 words. The jets are boys who were born in america, but have polish roots. West side story may have stereotypical depictions of puerto ricans but the original film in particular is considered an important film for latino americans nevertheless. 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. West side story tells the tale of a love affair between tony, who is polish american, and maria, a puerto rican, set against an urban background of interracial. Set in new york city, it introduces two groups, the. 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. The entire argument over which gang is more sympathetic. From the silver screen to the great white wayone of the greatest stories of all time. When is the time period that west side story is based around.
The co of the jets and has left the gang but still communicates with them. The story west side story is like a modern romeo and juliet. Just beyond where they were filming stood half a block of boarded tenements destined for demolition which would soon make way for the newly constructed lincoln center. West side story is one of the great contributors to musical theatre, in particular broadway where it originally opened on september 26 1957 at the winter garden theatre. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. West side story education pack by curve theatre issuu. West side story has been added to your cart add to cart. 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. The story of west side story was based on romeo and juliet, a play by william shakespeare. The girls who sing in this song are singing about how much they hate puerto rico and love america. Throughout the story, the author uses the setting as an analogy.
Analysis of west side story west side story came out in 1961 as a melodramatic musical that took place in new york. A comprehensive database of west side story quizzes online, test your knowledge with west side story quiz questions. West side story actually started out as east side story in jerome robbins original pitch to bernstein in 1947 srsly. Jerome robbins sets the west side story concept in motion. The importance of west side story essay 980 words bartleby. West side story movie analysis linkedin slideshare. Brooks atkinson, the new york times iwest side story. Arthur laurents book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. 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. While the movie version of west side story is among the most faithful of hollywood adaptations, a number of changes were made in translating the work to film, some to suit the medium, others to suit the audience sensibilities, and one or two socalled artistic choices. West side story simple english wikipedia, the free. Where are all of the places and locations of the main. The production ran for 732 performances before entering the world of film in 1961. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.
The fullydanced prolog shows the tension built up between the jets and the sharks two rival gangs in new yorks upper west side. The score by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. It set the irish catholic jets against the jewish emeralds, which was in keeping with the ethnic makeup of the lower east side area of manhattan. A summary of west side story 378 words 123 help me. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. It is a duet sung by lovers tony and maria, and features one of bernsteins bestknown and loved melodies. Juliet, as well as the film west side story, directed by jerome robbins and robert wise. Once more, the clan of the montagues are at odds with the capulets. Sep 24, 2019 when it opened on september 26, 1957, west side story received a mixed critical response. With a screenplay by ernest lehman, the film is an adaptation of the 1957 broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet. They came together through love but violence threatened to tear them apart. West side story shows how racism and xenophobia create a system that dooms the youths of working class families. Ive ordered it, but it will arrive too late and i need to do a book project on it.
West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. The sharks and the jets are rival gangs fighting for the same territory. Those familiar with leonard bernsteins west side story are generally aware that it is an updating of shakespeares tragic love story romeo and juliet. The further we get in time from when west side story was written. West side story is a musical adapted from shakespeares play and was first performed in 1957. Having said that, it still pulls off the odd trick or two that deviates from. Very interesting to compare contrast on that side of the. Debuting one day after the forced integration of central high school in little rock, the musicals 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. The sharks mostly recent puerto rican immigrants and the jets mostly second generation european immigrants circa 1960.
On a hot late1950s summer in new yorks upper west side, william shakespeares timeless story of romeo and juliet 1968 comes to life, as a fierce enmity between two antagonistic street gangs paves the way for heartbreak and tragedy. West side story actually started out as east side story in jerome robbins original pitch to bernstein in 1947. In 1960 on a cold morning in february, the makers of west side story began filming along manhattans west 68th street. West side story opens at the winter garden theater on broadway, with max goberman conducting. A fourth and final setting location that is extremely important to the story is the hospital. Her older brother bernardo is the leader of the puerto rican gang, the sharks. Tonight is one of the most popular songs from this 1957 broadway musical smash hit. West side story summary and study guide supersummary. Both are stories of unrequited love that end tragically, but there are many elements that make them very different. The further we get in time from when west side story was written, the more the musicals mythic dimensions come into focus. West side story, a tragic love story of tony and maria, touches all in many ways. West side story may have stereotypical depictions of puerto ricans but the original film in particular is considered an important film for latino americans nevertheless misaimed fandom the entire argument over which gang is more sympathetic. The setting for much of my side of the mountain is the catskill mountains in new york.
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