In January of 1949, Jerome Robbins, an American theater producer, created the idea of West Side Story after being inspired by Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Eight years later, on September 26, 1957, the much anticipated production West Side Story made its debut on Broadway. West Side Story went on to win over twenty major awards, including eleven Academy Awards, making it a huge success (WSS Frequently Asked Questions). The landmark musical production of the 1950’s, West Side Story, broke the
the original Broadway musical. In Jerome Robbins: His Life, His Theater, His Dance by Deborah Jowitt, it is revealed that the two gangs were originally meant to be Jews versus Catholics (page 267). People often use religion to find people like them, so if the two gangs were two religions, it would have conveyed the same
The West Side Story is 1960s romantic musical tragedy film by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The film is an adaptation of the 1950s Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by William Shakespeare’s stage act, Romeo and Juliet. It includes Broadway professionals like Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris, and was pictured by Daniel L. Fapp and the A.S.C. It was released on October 18, 1961. The musical received very high praise from critics and
in the end the historical importance of this musical piece. West Side Story: The musical West Side Story is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This musical was possible due to the efforts of four people, Leonard Bernstein, the composer, Jerome Robbins, the director and choreographer, Arthur Laurents, the playwright, and Stephen Sondheim, the lyricist. After Rodgers and Hammerstein II’s Oklahoma! , West Side Story is considered as the most significant musical. The theme of this musical was different
Jerome Robbins is a choreographer who historically incorporated his jazz into his ballet techniques and was able to break through the blockade of Euro Russian dance in theatres. West Side Story (1957) is a story similar to the theme of Romeo and Juliet, where forbidden lovers test the status quo of their street gangs in the setting of an Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City. Jerome Robbins choreographed and co directed this work. The King and I (1951) is a story of Anna Leonowens and her
Musical *No Works Cited West Side Story is one of the most influential musicals of all time. It's integration of dance and song into the plot was very innovative, because even though it had been done before, it had never been done this well. Jerome Robbins had thought of an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet to a Broadway musical in 1949. He began discussions with librettist Arthur Laurents and composer Leonard Bernstein of a musical called East Side Story, with a plot concentrating on a Catholic girl
acknowledged theme that hate can kill. West Side Story is said to be a “morality play about “our” everyday problems: racism, poverty, and the destructiveness of violence” . Shortly after 1949 had been rung in, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins were already hard at work. Robbins had called with an idea of “a modern version of Romeo and Juliet set in slums […].” The original idea called for dissention between Jews and Catholics during Easter-Passover celebrations. The Capulets, i.e. Juliet, are Jewish;
Me a Song, The American Way, Me and Juliet, The Land is Bright, Juno, Of Thee I Sing, Billion Dollar Baby, White Horse Inn, Streets of Paris, On Your Toes, West Side Story, Do Re Mi, Jerome Robbins’ Ballet, Jennie, The Girl Who Came to Supper, Funny Girl, Sweet Charity, Hallelujah Baby!, Irene, The King and I, Jerome Robbin’s Broadway, From Vienna, On Your Toes, Happy Hunting, Flower Drum Song, and Lady in the
West Side Story as a Teen Film The highly-acclaimed film West Side Story (Wise & Robbins dir.1961; henceforth WSS) is perhaps most strongly associated with the musical genre—not unreasonably. Based on its theatrical predecessor with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, WSS won ten Academy Awards including Best Picture, and ranks second on the American Film Institute’s list of Greatest Movie Musicals. However, the film is also a strong example of
For my live performance report, I saw “Bernstein's West Side Story” at the San Francisco Symphony on Friday, September 22. The chorus was made up of male and female singers ranging from bases to sopranos. Some of those singers were professionals; others were volunteers. There were also instrumentalists including trombonists, percussionists, and cellists. The music was composed by Leonard Bernstein, one of the most famous composers of the 20th century. Leonard Bernstein was born in 1918 and died in
West Side Story is a musical that was inspired by Shakespear's play Romeo and Juliet. The play and musical share numerous similarities and differences. Much of the plot and many characters are undeniably similar with their own distinct differences. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's family the Montagues and Juliet's family the Capulets hate each other because of an unmentioned ancient feud. In West Side Story, the main male role Tony is part of a New York City gang called the jets, and the main female
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. The production ran for 732 performances before entering the world of film in 1961. However, I believe its significance lies in the heart of the theatre where the audience is subjected to different styles of music, dance and of course an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In fact, Leonard Bernstein first decided to call
teenagers from different ethnicities fall in love but are ultimately outdone by the cruelty of hatred (Cohen 251). 6. Describe one of the “dancer-choreographers” who rose to prominence. Name some of their hit musicals. (p. 250-251) (252) Jerone Robbins was one of several “dancer-choreographers” that amassed a great reputation in regards to American musicals (Cohen 252). He was skilled in ballet and a talented actor, who is best remembered for his contributions in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the King and
name of Jerome Robbins. Robbins brought light to contemporary ballet and modern dance, he redefined theatre dance and incorporated different components of creativity and dramatic theatrical elements. (DanceHeritage.org) Making a great impact in the American Ballet Theatre and was affiliated with this company for 8 years. (Learning About Dance) After getting invited to join the company of City Ballet by its artistic director, George Balanchine known as being the father of American ballet, Robbins only
When West Side Story was released in 1957 there were several different prominent problems in society; like the Cold War, the Civil Rights movement, gang violence, and juvenile delinquency. However, there were other issues that were ignored, considered irrelevant, and disregarded as worthless like the discrimination against homosexuality and people who identified as transgender, transsexual or gender-nonconforming. Leonard Bernstein was the composer of West Side Story and unquestionably America's
“Knowledge is power.” These three simple words express more about life than many of us can even fathom. This is especially true when we talk about the Bible. For one to understand the true power of the Lord and meaning of His words, one must first be able to comprehend the Bible. Just reading the Bible will help, but further research into its origin will maximize your knowledge. I do not consider myself a religious guru or know-it-all. I took the time to dive in to a book to help further my
In the book The Rule of Benedict, written by Saint Benedict, he provided outlines of how things should go in the monastery, and day to day life for monks. Saint Benedict uses biblical references and also his own thoughts. Through his writings, he believes that there should be very strict guidelines to follow, in order to be a good monk and/or person. Although Saint Benedict means well when he gives his thoughts on how things should be gone about, he sometimes seems arrogant, by giving the abbot so
In Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s tense drama, “Inherit the Wind”, three strong characters express powerful opinions: Bertrum Cates , Henry Drummond, and Mathew Harrison Brady. First, Bert Cates, the defendant, is charged with teaching “Darwinism” to his sophomore class . Second, Henry Drummond, the defense attorney for Cates, displays his beliefs of the right to think. third, Mathew Harrison Brady, the “big-shot” prosecuting attorney, illustrates his bigotry of creationism. To conclude, these
Matthew Harrison Brady, of Inherit the Wind by: Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, never fooled anyone. He may have seemed strong in the beginning but he no substance under the shell. Such a false front can be compared to water behind an earthen dam. It may hold some water for a time but once the water finds a weak point, the whole structure comes crashing down along with the fury of all the water behind it. Within brady, the water represents the gooey inner core of his personality. Once he loses
d'Urbervilles "If an offence come out of the truth, better it is that the offence come than the truth be concealed." Thomas Hardy added these words in the introduction to the fifth edition of this novel (Hardy v). He provided this quote from St. Jerome somewhat defensively, in response to the criticism he received for Tess prior to this edition. Originally printed in serial form in two magazines, this novel underwent bowdlerization in order to be published. As a requirement of the publisher