Although the start is a bit contrived, west s multidimensional protagonists experience growth as their romance evolves. Arthur laurents july 14, 1917 may 5, 2011 was an american playwright, stage director and screenwriter after writing scripts for radio shows after college and then training films for the u. Who are the main characters and who played them in the movie. Click download or read online button to get west side story book pdf online book now. Gang warfare is the material of west side story, which opened at the winter garden last evening, and very little of the hideousness has been left out.
When i recently decided to add west side story to my collection in bluray i scouted through the amazon items on offer. West side story was originally about jews and catholics history. The making and impact of an american masterpiece cultureamerica only 7 left in stock more on the way. First, determine what you believe is the most powerful. It has 30 weird stories about every teacher and student in the 30th story.
Maria is the younger sister of bernardo, the leader of the sharks, and she has only recently moved to new york as an immigrant. West side story was originally about jews and catholics. Read a character analysis of juliet, plot summary, and important quotes. Everything we know about the west side story remake from. 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. Set in new york city, it introduces two groups, the. Theres lots of reasons to watch this film, but the genius adaptation of shakespeares tale of starcrossd lovers is the big one. I was initially impressed with all the details and insight the author gave to each character. Plot summary for west side story 1961, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. Maria is puerto rican and shares a romance story with tony. The following is more intended to be used for character research purposes. Army during world war ii, laurents turned to writing for broadway, producing a body of work that includes west side story 1957, gypsy 1959, and hallelujah, baby. Her books have been named as ala quick picks for reluctant readers and as yalsa best books for young adults.
Op ed arts automobiles books diversions job market real estate travel. Cultural perspectives on an american musical, wells presents a major scholarly study of the famous american musical west side story, viewing the work from cultural, historical, and musical perspectives. May 29, 2018 kasie west is the author of several ya novels, including the fillin boyfriend, p. West side story remake presents problems for tony kushner. At the time, the phrase broadway musical was synonymous.
Wayside school is falling down is a 1989 childrens, dark comedy, short story cycle, novel by american author louis sachar, and the second book in his wayside school series. The musicals plot is based on william shakespeares romeo and juliet. Tony kushner frets about remaking west side story because hes jewish. This book is good for kids that dont like reading because it has short stories. The west side story appropriation we never really talk about. Comparison of west side story and romeo and juliet west side storys characters have a number of similarities with the characters from romeo and juliet. Aug 24, 2018 perhaps that is why those lines in the song, which takes place between the characters maria the puerto rican heroine of west side story who has fallen in love with polishamerican tony and. These characters are alike, yet different they have similar scenes, similar loves, and similar throughout the movie of west. The scenes in the book mostly take place at a drugstore, a playground and on the streets. Comparison of west side story and romeo and juliet west side story s characters have a number of similarities with the characters from romeo and juliet. Two perennial classicswilliam shakespeares romeo and juliet and the broadway musical west side story in a single volume. Heres a list of the musical numbers in west side story, along with which characters sing in each of them. The beloved screen transfer of the legendary broadway musical won 10 oscars in 1961, including best picture and best. West side story by irving shulman goodreads share book.
In creating west side story, which characters from romeo and juliet did the. Comparison of west side story and romeo and juliet. From the mambo craze of the 1950s to the works ongoing permeation of popular culture, wells looks at the myriad ways in which this canonic musical. The 1957 musical west side story was a collaboration among composer leonard bernstein, lyricist stephen sondheim, and choreographer jerome robbins. Maria, character in west side story about the artists. The tragedy of love thwarted by fate has always intrigued writers. West side 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 neighborhood was cleared in an urban renewal project for the lincoln center, which changed the neighborhoods character. 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. Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and.
Setting compare and contrast plot the book west side story takes place on the west side of new york city in the 1950s. West side story may seem, on the surface, like inclusivity in storytelling and characters, which was great and relatively true for the 1950s. Yes, the narrator has a similar voice and, yes, there is a lovetriangle although mild and, yes, friendship is an important theme. Shulman also wrote the original treatment for rebel without a cause, the film that shot james dean to stardom. 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. It was inspired by william shakespeares play romeo and juliet.
I wanted to learn how the puerto ricans coped with the racism and. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like immigration, xenophobia, and american national identity and love versus hate. They have no reason for their hatred at the beginning but their random fights fuel their hatred. West side story 1961 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. As west side story returns to broadway, it has a lot to say. When it premiered on broadway in 1957, it showed how dancing, singing, acting, and design could merge into a single means of expression, a seamless unity.
In the sixteenth century, william shakespeare took this theme and fashioned one of the worlds great plays. Its time for the protagonists to take a seat and let these wonderful side characters take overat least for one story. The book tells farahs story of her life from a young age to seventeen. But while murtaghs battlefront end is showinventedthe character is long dead by now in the books.
West side story, the jungles of the city by brooks atkinson. 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. This 39page guide for west side story by irving shulman includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 2 chapters, as well as several more in. Both are stories of unrequited love that end tragically, but there are many elements that make them very different. I would say that most of the actors were selected based more on dancing ability than acting skills because west side story s musical numbers have deep strength but the traditionally dramatic scenes are limited in effectiveness. She falls in love with tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Going beyond a light tale of teen love, the story delves deeper by weaving in themes of the foster care system, absent parents, and mental illness. Perhaps that is why those lines in the song, which takes place between the characters maria the puerto rican heroine of west side story who has fallen in love with polishamerican tony and. A galvanizing new revival of west side story opened thursday night on broadway, minus some familiar sights and sounds. Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens books this months biggest new releases.
Information about stephen sondheims broadway musical, west side story, including news and gossip, production information, synopsis, musical numbers, sheetmusic, cds. Podcast for kids nfb radio 101 sermon podcast pauping off all steak no sizzle podcast church of the oranges daily chapel spring 2012. Works stage west side story 1957 leonard bernstein. West side story is a musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein and lyrics by stephen sondheim. Since the characters are kids of the streets, their speech is curt and jeering. 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. Author and authors purpose the author of west side story is aurthur laurents. 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. As west side story celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as. Bernstein magnanimously removed his name as coauthor of the lyrics. West side story, a tragic love story of tony and maria, touches all in many ways. West side story summary and study guide supersummary.
This west side story remake will follow the same plot as the original, detailing a heated feud between the jets, a white american gang, and the sharks, their puerto. He began his remarkable career in 1940, grinding out shows for lux radio theater, and he went on to triumph with his superb books for the musicals west side story and gypsy, as well as the scripts for the movies the way we were and the turning point. Maria natalie wood is the lead female character in west side story. Rather than stock musicaltheater characters, the story foregrounded rival. Many comparisons can be made between the struggle of the groups, the love of the main characters, and various. Dallas winston the toughest hood in ponyboys group of greasers. 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. West side story is a tragic love story set in new york city in the mid1950s on the west side of the city. West side story 1961 cast and crew cast photos and info. West side story schizanr a critical reading and contextualisation of west side story written by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, lyrics by stephan sondheim and choreographed by jerome robbins.
West side story 1961 film symbols, allegory and motifs. Romeo and juliet, west side story, compare and contrast. He has an elfin face and icy blue eyes and, unlike his friends, does not put grease in his whiteblond hair. The musical west side story is based off of william shakespeares romeo and juliet. West side story is a 1961 film set in the mid in the upper west side. West side story book pdf online download ebook pdf, epub. Many people thin west side story is just a modern version of romeo and juliet. This is just a warning to anyone thinking of purchasing a bluray copy of, not only west side story but any other film. Feb 20, 2020 as west side story returns to broadway, it has a lot to say about race in america the shows littleremembered roots tell us about the changing hierarchies in our culture. The best film lists find or make a film characters. In both stories there are deaths which make the quarrel worse.
The infamous poison boot west side story story retold with award winning costumes and flawless acting. Jan 18, 2012 the film version of west side story marked its 50th anniversary in 2011. Above anything and everything else, west side story is a retelling of romeo and juliet. The other side of the sky is a 2005 memoir by afghani author farah ahmedi, with tamim ansary. Jan 26, 2018 sometimes these side characters steal the show, and cry out for their own adventures. The juliet in this interpretation of shakespeares romantic tragedy is maria. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose any of the below songs for your audition. In west side story there are two gangs that dont hate each other. To ask other readers questions about west side story, please sign up. I like you, lucky in love, and listen to your heart. 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.
Therefore west side story is at its best when the characters are singing and dancing. Describe the characters personalities in the book the other. Irving shulman 191995 was a novelist and screenwriter, known for his depictions of urban life. Whether it was completely new vision as a concept musical, or the pinnacle of an already established tradition, it marked the most impressive body of choreography in a single show. Broadway changed forever when the curtain went up on west side story. West side story, signed abebooks shop for books, art. 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. Beth cooper professor barrett introduction to drama west side story is an american musical with a book by arthur laurents, music by leonard bernstein, and lyrics by stephen sondheim. I believe its because west side story offers latinx people, and all woke theatre people, a superficial and false narrative of representation.
As told by cast members from the movie west side story. They have similar scenes, similar loves, and similar deaths. Here are 10 characters who desperately need a chance at a staring role. West side story 1961 film study guide contains a biography of.
Video by cj penido narration by ben drennan i made this video for my final project for my theatre class. 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. The authors purpose was to show the racial discrimination of the puerto ricans in new york during the 1950s. West side story is a musical adapted from shakespeares play and was first performed in 1957. The gem of broadway musicals, west side story s commentary on love and prejudice is relevant to any time and place. In this i will also compare the scenes and the characters of west side story and romeo and juliet. By your side is a little different from her other ya contemporary romances. Romeo and tony, juliet and maria, mercutio and riff, and tybalt and bernardo. But the author, composer and ballet designer are creative artists. West side story and the american idea of getting along.
While many already have plans to curb the summer boredom, picking up a good book is a great use of extra time. In the third season of the series glee, three episodes feature characters auditioning, rehearsing and performing a school production of west side story. 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. Includes complete cast list, vocal ranges, instrumentation list plus an introduction about the famous collaboration that worked together on this project. When west side story opened on broadway in 1957, it was a new kind of musical.
Maria is the leading female character in the 1957 stage play and 1961 film west side story. Throughout the movie of west side story, even more characters similar to the characters of romeo and juliet. Who are the main characters in the west side story. The snippets of kissing at the end ring true to the book s wholesome nature. Like its predecessor, it contains 30 chapters, although some chapters are interconnected in a more narrative form rather than as separate stories, as is the case for its predecessor. West side story s first and foremost a love story, but the themes of immigration and racism seethe below the surface. West side story dancers celebrate films 50th anniversary. Make sure you read all the product details thoroughly. Maria a character in west side story by arthur laurents author, leonard bernstein composer, stephen sondheim lyricist, jerome robbins conceived by characters based on this. Im a film major, so i thought i might as well use that to my advantage. Leonard bernstein, stephen sondheim, arthur laurents, and jerome robbins.
In one story, this girl was the fastest drawer in the class. The complete vocal score to one of the most beloved american musicals of all time. West side story 1961 film study guide contains a biography of robert wise, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. Gang warfare is the material of west side story, which opened at the winter garden last. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing west side story 1961 near you. Bernsteins score has the shrill impetuosity of its subject. Oped arts automobiles books diversions job market real estate travel.
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. Dallas, known as dally, is a hardened teen who used to run with gangs in new york. 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. Here are one west side story reporters favorite books for reading away the blandness that can come with summer. The story is set in the upper west side neighborhood in new york city in the mid 1950s, a multiracial, bluecollar neighborhood. Terms of use west side story film 1961 metrogoldwynmayer studios inc. Dec 05, 2011 video by cj penido narration by ben drennan i made this video for my final project for my theatre class. As for the ending and the two main characters,i thought the ending was just bad,and i did not like the two main characters.
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