An actor friend, reportedly Montgomery Clift, approaches Jerome Robbins
for advice on acting in Romeo and Juliet. An idea is born. Also born that
year: your Web Host, on the 33rd birthday of director Robert Wise.
Robbins brings to collaborator Leonard Bernstein his concept of telling the
story of Romeo and Juliet in modern terms, showcasing the lovers before a
backdrop of battling Catholic and Jewish youths. East Side Story takes root.
Bernstein's many prior commitments frustrate the progress of the
musical and the project is abandoned.
The idea is re-kindled by news coverage of the ongoing Los Angeles
street wars between Anglos and Chicanos. The story moves to the West
Side, and the religious factions are replaced with the more topical ethnic ones.
Despite his original intentions, Bernstein decides against writing the lyrics
to his music. Newcomer Stephen Sondheim is invited to join the creative
team and he embarks on what will become his Broadway debut.
begins previews in Washington DC and Philadelphia prior to its Broadway
premiere. The title is changed to Gangway! and changed back again.
Tony Awards are won by
Jerome Robbins for Best Choreography and
Oliver Smith for Best Scenic Design.
1958
While continuing its successful New York run, West Side Story opens at
Her Majesty's Theatre in London on December 12. Chita Rivera will win the
London Evening Standard Award for Best Actress in a Musical
performances. Larry Kert leads the cast on a National
U.S. Tour, opening in Denver on July 1.
rare "Return Engagement" on April 27. In Hollywood, pre-production
is underway for the film version.
co-direction of Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. No fewer than seventeen
veterans of Broadway, London and the National Tour have been recruited.
Of the five leading players, only George Chakiris has appeared in the show.
The return engagement of West Side Story
closes on Broadway on December 10 after
logging in an additional 249 performances.
world premiere engagement at the Rivoli Theater
in New York on October 18.
1962
Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and Best Picture.
Amid its great success in stock and touring productions in
both the United States and Europe, West Side Story returns to
Broadway in April for a limited engagement at New York City Center.
is presented in June at the New York State Theater of
Lincoln Center, the site of some of the location filming.
After presentations in hundreds of productions around the world
from Sweden to Australia, the first open-ended Broadway
revival of West Side Story opens at the Minskoff on February 14.
Leonard Bernstein conducts his score for records for the first time.
The cast of opera singers is led by Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras,
Tatiana Troyanos, Kurt Ollman and Marilyn Horne.
Jerome Robbins Broadway opens on February 26, winning Tonys for
Best Musical, Best Director, and three cast members including Jason Alexander.
West Side Story Suite debuts at New York City Ballet on May 18.
NYC Ballet Home Page
On October 6 West Side Story gets the deluxe red-carpet
treatment for a special screening at New York's legendary
Radio City Music Hall, marking the 40th anniversary of the film release
in Hollywood on October 9, in a tribute to co-director Robert Wise.
in a special "collector's edition" that includes
a one-hour documentary entitled "West Side Memories."
postponements plans for the production are ultimately cancelled.
retrospectives, as well as a steady stream of celebratory professional and amateur
productions, Arthur Laurents announces he will direct the masterwork for a new
Broadway produciton in 2008.
twenty-six members of the original company of West Side Story
re-unite to perform at BC/EFA's Gypsy of the Year
newly-conceived production directed by Arthur Laurents, with original
choreography re-mounted by Joey McKneely.
Karen Olivo, who plays Anita in the new revival, takes home a trophy at last.
is honored with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
