West side story is a 1961 american musical and drama film directed by robert wise and jerome robbins. While the lead for maria had an amazing voice, we werent entirely pleased with the production and heres why. Now that the mouse king is dead, an ancient spell has been broken, and the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. The houston ballet premiere of wayne mcgregors dyad 1929 2009, houston ballet premiere of jiri kylians wings of wax 1997, and houston ballet premiere of jerome robbins west side story stuite 1995. W arm and riotous, with heartbreaking, unfinished cadences of promise and hesitant, exploratory rhythms bursting into sunred brass explosions, the west side story score is the apex of musical theater composition. Story was the first musical i encountered with a latina lead character. Jan 15, 2019 the 17yearold new jersey high schooler has landed the coveted part of west side storys female lead, maria, a young girl with family ties to the sharks who unexpectedly falls in love with jets.
Most of the characters in west side story are highschool age, and we have an opportunity to depict them closer to their real ages, said. The actors in the theatre under the stars west side story production are talented. None of the main characters in west side story have a listed name in the broadway playbill, but according to the novel version of the play, their last name is nunez. A modern love story based on shakespeares romeo and juliet, west side story suite brings audiences to the feuding streets of 1950s new york city with its crackling energy and heartrending poignancy west side story took broadway by storm in 1957, when it ushered in a new era in musical theater. Hoffmanns 1816 fairy tale the nutcracker and the mouse king. Westside ballets nutcracker is interesting for its inclusion of characters such as the the. She studied at the west australian school of dance and won the preprofessional award at the royal academy of dance festival of dance in may 2018. It stars natalie wood, richard beymer, russ tamblyn. Hoffmanns the nutcracker and the mouse king and the marius. The dark, romantic roots of the nutcracker few people today remember e. West side story explores racial, ethnic, political. His character is based on shakespeares romeo, who falls in love with juliet during their first encounter. And the best part of ivo van hoves highly anticipated production of the musical is that the superiority of the music is fully apparent.
Some professionals have performed in the ballet classic since they were young, some have danced the same role for years, others have aspirations of characters to someday portray, and for most, the ballet is synonymous. Many comparisons can be made between the struggle of the groups, the love of the main characters. Join the stageagent community to read our character analysis for tony and unlock other amazing theatre resources. Its the most magical time of the year as marie and her nutcracker prince journey to the land of enchantment encountering the snow queen and king, the sugar plum fairy and her cavalier, and the cast of memorable characters, performed by the talented artists of pittsburgh ballet theatre and the pittsburgh ballet theatre school. Casting for the nutcracker has arrived pittsburgh ballet. West side story s first and foremost a love story, but the themes of immigration and racism seethe below the surface. Originally from ballarat, todd trained at bbc studios before venturing off to tour the world at the age of eighteen. West side story s new tony doesnt want to mess with. Westside ballets the nutcracker mirabelle weinbach as the sugar. 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 city s west side in the 1950s. As a colombianamerican, i am humbled by the opportunity to play a. Join the stageagent community to read our character analysis for anita and unlock other amazing theatre resources. Which of the following parts of the nutcracker is based on a russian dance. A modern love story based on shakespeares romeo and juliet, west side story suite brings audiences to the feuding streets of 1950s new york city with its crackling energy and heartrending poignancy.
Who are the main characters in the west side story. She was raised roman catholic and continues to pray regularly. The library of congress celebrates the golden anniversary of this historic musical with a new exhibition, west side story. Whats harder to spot is the way dance can tell a story. This spring, pittsburgh ballet theatre celebrates the 100th birthdays of iconic choreographer jerome robbins and composer leonard. West side story suite is a ballet made by new york city ballet balletmaster jerome robbins to the 1957 music by leonard bernstein and lyrics of stephen sondheim and extracted from the eponymous musical which he had choreographed, with scenery by oliver smith, costumes by irene sharaff and lighting by jennifer tipton. Rocco is one of the members who is not featured as prominently. When he was about 12 years old, and developed an interest.
Take the america sequence, which shows the competition but seductive playfulness between the puerto rican men and. Five lavish scene changes, 170 characters and costumes per performance, a total cast of 30 professional and nearly 150 student dancers. All can dance, and the two lead characters have beautiful singing voices. The music was written by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. The westside ballets production is the complete, traditional ballet, from.
It would have been nicer if there was more to develop the characters, especially the relationship between maria and toni. West side story is one of his alltime favorite shows, and he would like to thank meta, joe bowen, tammy oomen, and their team for allowing this old man to perform across from one of the valleys most diverse casts ever assembled. She falls in love with tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. West side story, the 1961 musical film about rival gangs in new york. The new production is directed by tony award winner ivo van hove. Cheap west side story tickets more than half a century after the adored musical made its debut, west side story tickets are still highlycoveted items in the theater world.
The film is an adaptation of the 1957 broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was inspired by william shakespeare s play romeo and juliet. It tells the story of a little girl who goes to the land of sweets on christmas eve. 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. West side story was the first musical i encountered with a latina lead character.
It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet. Set on manhattans upper west side in the mid1950s, west side story explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Clara, her uncle drosselmeyer, the nutcracker prince himself, the cavalier and not forgetting the beautiful sugar plum fairy. Akron ohio news ballet theatre of ohio celebrating 25 years. See more ideas about jerome robbins, west side story and american ballet theatre. West side story in one number from this musical, maria sings that i feel pretty while in another, tony notices that somethings coming. A team of editors takes feedback from our visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible. Low testosterone leads to health problems from ed to heart disease. West side story has some of the toughest and most elaborate dance moves youll ever see. Omaha south high school is using profits from west side story toward building a visual and performing arts addition on the south end of its campus.
It seems apt that the actors whom director ivo van hove picked to play tony and maria in his radically streamlined, choreographically renovated version of west side story wouldnt consider. Tony, who belongs to the native manhattan gang, the jets, falls in love with maria, the sister of the leader of the rival puerto rican gang, the sharks. This led him to study at the next step performing arts dance studio in sydney. Male actors of west side story film take ballet class. Then i turn into the nutcracker and lead the fight against the mice. The show went on to become a landmark musical in a league with works such as show boat and oklahoma. Its a little bit funny to isaac cole powell, the lead in the broadway revival of west side story, that he stars in the musical as tony. The musical explores the rivalry between the jets and the sharks, two teenage. West side story suite when it burst upon the broadway scene in 1957, jerome robbins setting of the romeo and juliet story amongst the youth gangs of new yorks upper west side redefined the broadway musical. May 30, 2008 our new desktop experience was built to be your music destination. Stars are crossed when his sister, maria, falls for tony, the.
The nutcracker leads the toy soldiers into battle with the mice, and marie helps him by throwing her slipper at the fierce mouse king, who the nutcracker then slays. What gives the dance sequences from west side story a latin american character. Complete cast and theatre announced for the broadway revival of. West side story is the awardwinning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy romeo and juliet. Jerome robbins had the idea to update romeo and juliet, setting it in modernday new york, and. Sarah vaughan maria live from sweden mercury records 1964.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Maria is a song from the broadway musical west side story, sung by the lead character tony. But many audiences overlook the films portrayal of. The feuding families become two warring new york city gangsthe white jets led by riff and the latino sharks, led by bernardo. I adore the catchy lyrics, the breathtakingly exquisite choreography and cinematography, the heartbreaking love story. Alexandra waterbury rips amar ramasars west side story. Actor west side story born david weizer in london, england, as a child and teenager david winters acted in many television shows and broadway productions, including the initial lineup of the stage production of the musical west side story, playing the role of baby john.
Playbill learns exclusively about the oscarwinning duos. The names behind the jets and sharks posted on october 18, 2016 by jnpickens when i was 14 in 2002, i watched west side story for the first time and became obsessed with the movie musical, which premiered 55 years ago in new york city on oct. Originally, when considering the cast, laurents wanted james dean for the lead role of tony, but the actor soon died. He is best known for his appearance in the film version of west side story as bernardo, the leader of the sharks gang, for which he won both the academy award for best supporting actor and the golden globe award for best supporting actor motion picture. List of songs in west side story click the song title to download digital sheet music west side story brief history of the musical.
He transforms into a prince and whisks away clara to the magical candyland, where they are welcomed with a celebration of sweets from around the world. We cant wait to do it all again at the broward center this weekend, and to capture it all on instagram is jet lady aka dancer jennifer lauren. 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. New west ballet faculty classical ballet training in. He went on to be cast in the 1961 west side story film cast as shark member, rocco, which was his only film role. Why this was once the worlds creepiest ballet from pedophilic godfathers to gruesome sevenheaded mice, the first versions of. Shes like the pinnacle for me of what my career could be possibly, hopefully. 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 ancient grudges are no match for true love. This fresh and dynamic reimagining of one of the most iconic musicals of all time, brings together an incredible cast of young and.
West side story 1961 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. In west side story, bernardo is the leader of the sharks, a gang of young puerto ricans facing discrimination in 1950s new york. This spring, pittsburgh ballet theatre celebrates the 100th birthdays of iconic choreographer jerome robbins and composer leonard bernstein with a triple bill of pbt premieres. Hoffmann, but most everyone is familiar with his most famous creation. The premiere took place at new york state theater on thursday, may 18, 1995. West side story took broadway by storm in 1957, when it ushered in a. Recorded 3 days after the show opened at the winter garden theatre, the recording was released in october 1957 in both mono and stereo formats. Cast and crew of harvards new production of west side story wrestle with the classic musicals racial, ethnic, and political complications. The nutcracker is one of the grandest ballets in pittsburgh ballet theatres repertoire.
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 characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. It should be noted that the show is inappropriate for younger girls. What musical about the jets and the sharks is a retelling of romeo and juliet, with music by leonard bernstein. By subscribing to the northern ballet email list, we can let you know more about our performances, events and news, and share exclusive content, offers and competitions with you. Daniel is excited to be joining the cast of west side story which will be his. Her repertory included marzipan, spanish corps, waltz of the flowers, and snow corps in george balanchines the nutcracker. West side story prologue official full number 50th. West side story plot summary, character breakdowns, context and analysis, and. On broadway, he was in the shows lil abner, west side story 1957, destry rides again 1959, tovarich 1963 with vivien leigh, and hallelujah baby 1967. Movies uz this category is for questions and answers related to west side story. West side story 310 movie clip maria 1961 hd youtube. With video cameras and new dances and faces, ivo van hove. Actor west side story eliot feld was born in brooklyn, new york and studied dance at the school of american ballet, new dance group, high school of performing arts, and with richard thomas.
The nutcracker tells the story of clara, a young girl who receives a nutcracker for christmas before being transported to the kingdom of sweets where she is entertained by dancing candies and childhood fantasy characters cometolife. 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 ballets story revolves around lead character clara stahlbaums favorite toy, the nutcracker, who comes to life and defeats the evil mouse king. In 1993, moscow ballet toured the great russian nutcracker to washington dc, baltimore, syracuse, orlando, ft lauderdale, new haven, reading and charleston wv for the first time and to critical acclaim. Dancers share their favorite nutcracker ballet roles. West side story was the kind of musical people thought.
George chakiris born september 16, 1934 is a retired american dancer, singer, and actor. West side story suite jerome robbins pacific northwest ballet. At age eleven he danced with the new york city ballet as the child prince in balanchines original production of the nutcracker. Aurora in sleeping beauty, the leading role in raymonda, and snow queen in the nutcracker. Dec 24, 2014 reutersfabrizio bensch the nutcracker s disturbing origin story. The musical west side story is based off of william shakespeares romeo and juliet. Falling snow, magic tricks, characters that come alive and dance after virtuoso dance. Hoffmann, in which young marie stahlbaums favourite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil mouse king in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls. Meet the adorable dancer who is the first black lead in nyc ballets the nutcracker. West side story will begin performances on december 10, 2019, ahead of an official. West side story original broadway cast is the 1957 recording of a broadway production of the musical west side story. The song america, in part, is about how american culture treats puerto ricans like secondclass citizens, and the tensions between the two gangs sometimes boils down to your skin is a different color than mine.
Most of us can relate to the tragedy of coming so close to somethinga friend, an academic success, a romantic relationshipand then failing. The opening prologue from the 10time academy award winning musical film west side story, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary on november 15, 2011. Soon after a secondment with the australian ballet company, taylah accepted the offer to join the cast for the 2019 australian west side story production. Her dancing repertoire consists of many lead roles, with favorites including. West side story tickets west side story tour dates. She has also danced in george balanchines coppelia, west side story suite as a jet girl, and george balanchines symphony in c. She has performed roles in the nutcracker that include the flower corps, lead. Join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Eliot feld was born in brooklyn, new york and studied dance at the school of american ballet, new dance group, high school of performing arts, and with richard thomas. Tony richard beymer is the lead male character in west side story. From stratford high schools stratford playhouse production of west side story, here is maria and tonight featuring collins rush as tony and eliza masewicz as maria. Ballet theatre of ohio celebrating 25 years of nutcracker 11162017 west side leader by cassaundra smith.
Stephen spielberg west side story news, premiere date. A modern romeo and juliet taking place in new york city amongst two rival gangs one white, one puerto rican it tackles racism, bigotry, murder and teen angst. With tonyaward winning choreography, a songbook of broadway standards, and a timeless romance, the romeo and julietinspired show is everything a broadway production should be. The nutcracker simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Coral bruni began her ballet training with new west ballet in 1987. Jul 30, 20 west side story won an almostrecord ten oscars, including best picture, supporting awards to chakiris and rita moreno as bernardos girlfriend, anita, and best director to robbins and wise.
West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. West side story is one of my absolute favorite musicals. The story of romeo and juliet is particularly poignant in that its lead characters learn their lesson moments too late. Maria natalie wood is the lead female character in west side story. By laura di orio of dance informa performing the nutcracker becomes just another of the many yearly traditions that dancers may look forward to during the holiday season. Shchelkunchik listen help info is an 1892 twoact ballet fairy ballet. The best film lists find or make a film characters. Fierce and fresh, miami city ballet claimed the vibrant territory of musical theater for its own friday night with the company debut of west side story suite, wrote the miami herald. Steven spielbergs remake of west side story is looking better than ever now.
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