Mankiewicz, 1955, and which may be distinguished from more rural, folkloristic musicals such as oklahoma. West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeare s romeo and juliet. It stars natalie wood, richard beymer, russ tamblyn, rita moreno, george chakiris, and was photographed by daniel l. With ansel elgort, rachel zegler, ariana debose, david alvarez. West side story, american musical film, released in 1961, that was inspired by shakespeares. Bernstein makes great use of the tritone throughout the west side story score, most famously as the first two notes in the refrain of maria. What a thrill to be back at broadway rose for another fabulous summer. West side story notes re auditions, casting, and orchestra. West side story school edition music theatre international. The show opened on august 19, 1957, at the national theatre in washington, dc, and later moved to broadways winter garden theater on september 26. With additional resources for students and directors, west side story school edition makes the iconic musical more accessible and meaningful for high school performers. Inspired by the timeless story of romeo and juliet, west side story takes shakespeares starcrossed lovers, and places them in the vibrant battleground of new york citys west side in the 1950s. But west side story, winner of two tony and 10 academy awards, has endured because its also incredibly entertaining.
Print instantly, or sync to our free pc, web and mobile apps. What had once been termed musical comedy became musical theatre, as producers and directors realized for the first time that the principles of serious drama should be applied to serious musicals. Print and download tonight sheet music from west side story. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of west side story 1961 film by robert wise. West side story is an urban musical, a form that puts it in the context of films such as 42nd street lloyd bacon, 1933, on the town stanley donen gene kelly, 1949, the band wagon vincente minnelli, 1953 and guys and dolls joseph l. Play popular songs and traditional music with note letters for easy fun beginner instrument practice great for flute, piccolo, recorder, piano and more.
Heres a closer look at west side story and some of the surprising elements that make it one of the most memorable works of musical theater. West side story has some of the toughest and most elaborate dance moves youll ever see. West side story 1961 film study guide contains a biography of robert wise, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The feuding families become two warring new york city gangsthe white jets led by riff and the latino sharks, led by bernardo. An everadvancing economy of musical means and tightening of structure proceeds from one show to the next. The writer martha gellhorn wrote this detailed and heartfelt letter to bernstein, laying bare her intense reactions to west side story. It was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. Bernsteins timeless music from west side story is woven together in this exceptional medley of songs from his bestknown musical. 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. Westside story is a modern musical representation of the classic story romeo and juliet. Choose from west side story sheet music for such popular songs as somewhere, maria, and somethings coming. West side story chapters 15 quiz 17 questions by zaberk last updated.
Leonard bernstein tabs, chords, guitar, bass, ukulele chords, power tabs and guitar pro tabs including america west side story, somewhere, tonight, i feel pretty, maria. Join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for tony from west side story. May 17, 2017 the tritone has a jarring, unnatural sound, and thus is used carefully in western tonal music. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. West side story is a bridge between the socalled golden age musicals of rodgers and hammerstein and the sondheim era about to begin.
The sharks and the jets are rival gangs fighting for the same territory. 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. Whats harder to spot is the way dance can tell a story. Stephen sondheim, lyricist of west side story, wrote this letter to bernstein on september 26, 1957, the date of the new york premiere of the show. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. In the midst of the deepseated rivalry between the puerto rican gang, the sharks, and the white gang, the jets, maria and tony discover that. An adaptation of the 1957 musical, west side story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Plot summary for west side story 1961, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more.
Official website of the boston symphony orchestra, inc. West side story means much more to me than a first show, more even than the privilege of collaborating with you and arthur laurents and jerry robbins i dont think ive ever said to you how. Bernstein composed the musical west side story in 1957. Stephen sondheim wrote the lyrics and leonard bernstein composed the music. In the 1964 and 1980 revivals, somewhere was sung by francisca rather than consuelo. A comparison of the power struggles in romeo and juliet and west side story. The soundtrack of the west side story film is deservedly one of the most popular soundtrack recordings of all time, and one of the relatively few to have attained longterm popularity beyond a specialized soundtracktheatrical musical audience. West side story in concert boston symphony orchestra. The notes provide an introduction to the production and details about the play, set, characters, costumes, cast and credits, ahead of our audio described performances on sat 14 dec 2019 at 2. Get an answer for in cool from west side story, where is there evidence of the characters struggling. Tonight is one of the most popular songs from this 1957 broadway musical smash hit. It is an adaptation of the broadway musical of the same name, adapted from william shakespeares romeo and juliet.
Sheet music arranged for pianovocalguitar in ab major transposable. The sharks mostly recent puerto rican immigrants and the jets mostly second generation european immigrants circa 1960. Those familiar with leonard bernsteins west side story are generally aware that it is an updating of shakespeares tragic love story romeo and juliet. An everadvancing economy of musical means and tightening of structure proceeds from one show to. After owning their miserable little neighborhood for years, the jets, the fingersnapping street gang led by riff. This is music audiences love to hear, and has become so much a part of the american musical experience. West side story summary and study guide supersummary.
The question and answer section for west side story 1961 film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Our lesson is an easy way to see how to play these sheet music. Rose, ylang ylang, peony, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, and musk. It is an entirely different recording, it should be emphasized, from the original broadway cast. Jun 11, 2018 tonight west side story leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim piano bases collection duration.
West side story america free downloadable sheet music. Shop and buy west side story for violin sheet music. In the original stage version, anita the most important female character after maria and the girlfriend of bernardo, the leader of the sharks. He also composed a violinorchestra suite for sarah chang based on west side story. The four shows on the town, wonderful town, candide, and west side story show a progressive line of stylistic integration in leonard bernsteins compositional development. The leader of the first ones decided on the next dance to challenge bernardo, the leader of the second. 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. A melodious fullbodied coloratura perfume, with darklight, highlow, sweetsharp floral and woody notes.
West side story 1961 film essays are academic essays for citation. The social condition of two 1950s teenage street gangs, puerto rican immigrants versus american whites, in a turf war that wounds with racial slurs and switchblades has. Take the america sequence, which shows the competition but seductive playfulness between the puerto rican men and. 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. The tritone has a jarring, unnatural sound, and thus is used carefully in western tonal music. This playlist features audio notes for our latest made at curve musical, west side story. America west side story letter notes for beginners. Tonight west side story leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim piano bases collection duration. So since the majority of the backing of this song follows the melody, some creative liberties were taken. Tonight from west side story sheet music in ab major. West side story 1961 film study guide contains a biography of robert wise, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. From the musical west side story, a famous song everyone knows a real challenge to play, im yet to master this one.
West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. This version might seem a little complicated but it is worth it. Violin sheet music book by leonard bernstein 19181990. Title west side story notes re auditions, casting, and orchestra, 1957 may contributor names bernstein, leonard 19181990 author. Leonard bernstein symphonic dances from west side story. West side story questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on west side story. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of musicians, mr. Several permutations of the title reflected changes in geography and emphasis. The film version 1961 won several oscars, including best picture.
West side story 1961 film part 1 summary and analysis. The story is a modern version of shakespeares play romeo and juliet set in the tough 1950s west side of new yorks manhattan. The notes provide an introduction to the production and details about the play, set, characters, costumes, cast and credits, ahead of our audio described performances on sat. West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy romeo and juliet. The west side story that audiences love is the version i remember from my childhood. 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.
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