In September of 2007, an assortment of correspondence, set designs, production outlines, lyric sketches, choreography notations, hand-written music sheets, photos, posters, programs and several other mementos from the arduous gestation period were collected by the Library of Congress for their 50th Anniversary tribute entitled “Birth of a Classic.” Among the treasures on display was an enthusiastic opening-night congratulatory telegram to Leonard Bernstein, which began with the sentiment re-printed above. Descriptions of a few other items of interest can be read after clicking the corresponding button below.
| A scene synopsis believed to have been written as early as 1949. |
| An audition call sheet, dated May 16, 1957. |
| A letter from Jerome Robbins to Mr. Bernstein dated October 18, 1955. | |
| Article from Library of Congress website | |
| Article from Playbill.com | |
| Library of Congress Exhibit on Line | |