Composer

:

Leonard Bernstein

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1955 - 1957

First Performance

:

1957

Average_duration

:

66:56

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

West Side Story is a musical that was composed by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, set in the Upper West Side neighborhood of New York City in the mid-1950s. The plot revolves around two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the love story between Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader. The musical was composed in 1957, with Bernstein's music drawing heavily on jazz and Latin American rhythms. The lyrics by Sondheim are known for their clever wordplay and emotional depth. The book by Laurents explores themes of racial tension, immigration, and the struggle for identity in America. West Side Story premiered on Broadway in 1957, with Jerome Robbins directing and choreographing. The original cast included Larry Kert as Tony, Carol Lawrence as Maria, and Chita Rivera as Anita. The musical was a critical and commercial success, running for over 700 performances and winning several Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical is divided into two acts, with several movements within each act. Act One introduces the rival gangs and their leaders, as well as Tony and Maria's love story. The first act ends with a rumble between the Jets and the Sharks, in which Tony accidentally kills Maria's brother, Bernardo. Act Two explores the aftermath of the rumble, as well as the growing tension between the Jets and the Sharks. The musical culminates in a tragic finale, in which Tony is killed by a member of the Sharks, and Maria is left to mourn his death. West Side Story is known for its innovative choreography, which blends ballet and modern dance with street dance styles. The musical also features several iconic songs, including "Maria," "Tonight," and "Somewhere." Overall, West Side Story is a powerful and timeless musical that explores themes of love, violence, and identity in America. Its innovative music and choreography have made it a beloved classic of the musical theater canon.

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