What is a fun fact about West Side Story?

What is a fun fact about West Side Story?

In tune with its edgy subject matter, Stephen Sondheim intended for West Side Story to be the first ever Broadway production to use the f-word. However, on realizing that this would limit the distribution of the show’s soundtrack, it was replaced with the slightly bizarre insult, “Krup you!”.

What is West Side Story known for?

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 warfare. With its gritty story and volatile dance sequences, West Side Story was the antithesis of traditional American musicals.

What is West Side Story based on?

Story Sources. It is widely known that West Side Story (WSS) is based directly on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (R&J). Far less well known is the fact that Shakespeare based his play (1594) on other material, particularly a narrative poem by Arthur Brooke entitled The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562).

Why is it called West Side Story?

The simple answer to this question is that the west side in West Side Story is the west side of Manhattan. “At the time. that was kind of a dangerous neighborhood full of gangs,” said musical expert Steven Suskin. Bernstein suggested they could set the musical in L.A. and use Latin-tinged music.

Do they speak in West Side Story?

They don’t speak the same language.” With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins, West Side Story had its world premiere at the very same theater where this Broadway-bound revival opens — the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Is West Side Story all singing?

Very little of the singing in the finished film and on the soundtrack album was contributed by the on-screen stars of the film; while George Chakiris did all of his own singing for the few solo lines of his character Bernardo, Jim Bryant entirely dubbed the singing role of Tony for Richard Beymer, and Rita Moreno’s …

Who started in West Side Story?

Casts

Character	Original Broadway 1957	West End 1958
Tony	Larry Kert	Don McKay
Maria	Carol Lawrence	Marlys Watters
Riff	Michael Callan	George Chakiris
Bernardo	Ken LeRoy

How long did West Side Story run?

152 minutes
West Side Story (1961 film)

West Side Story
Running time	152 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6.75 million

Who wrote the West Side Story?

Arthur Laurents
West Side Story/Playwrights

How old are they in West Side Story?

Ultimately, some of the cast were teenagers, some were 21, some were 30 but looked 16.

Who choreographed West Side Story 2021?

Justin Peck
Choreography is by Justin Peck. The film started development in 2014 by 20th Century Fox, and Kushner was writing the screenplay by 2017. In January 2018, Spielberg was hired, and casting began by September 2018. Filming began in July 2019 and wrapped up two months later.

How long did it take to film West Side Story?

Assistant director Robert Relyea recalled an unusual number of injuries endured by the dancers. After 45 days of shooting, the picture was 24 days behind schedule. With the film already also over budget, the producers dismissed Robbins. The remaining dance numbers were directed with the help of Robbins’ assistants.

Why is West Side Story so famous?

Immensely challenging to sing and perform, West Side Story is hugely popular with musical theatre fans and opera-lovers alike, but why? 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 .

What is the plot of West Side Story?

West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet”. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.

What is the main idea of West Side Story?

The themes of west side story. The well known West Side Story is thought to have many themes some of which we can see clearly from Romeo and Juliet . One of theses themes could include the forbidden love between the two couples in both stories.In Romeo and Juliet the two young lovers are from rival families and so are not allowed to be together.

What did the Sharks wear in West Side Story?

West Side Story/ United Artists After one of the actors playing a Shark purchased a leather archer wristband at a sporting goods store, the rest of the Sharks ended up purchasing one. The costume designer liked their bracelets and allowed them to wear them during filming.