"West Side Story"!!!For those of you unfamiliar, West Side Story is a modern musical adaption of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Set in New York City, the two rival teenage street gangs, the white 'Jets' and the Puerto Rican 'Sharks', battle for territory and respect. Tony, a member of the Jets falls in love with Maria, whose brother is leader of the rival Sharks gang. The Jets are already contemptuous of the Sharks and look down on them as foreign newcomers, whilst the Sharks wish to establish themselves as Americans and defend their new territory. What becomes of these rivals when the forbidden love affair is exposed? OoOoOoOooooo - you'll just have to watch to find out!
Featuring an absolutely unforgettable score and groundbreaking choreography, "West Side Story" the musical sets the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet against the backdrop of gang warfare in 1950's New York.
FIRSTLY a stage production, the profoundly successful musical went on to be produced for film.
Was this a successful adaptation??
The stage show premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in New York in 1957, where it had a successful 77 week run. After its very successful time on stage, the movie went into production in August 1960 with the full cast having to endure 2 months of gruelling rehersals in the lead up to production. The film is now 44 years old and has been nominated for 11 Oscars, 10 of which were won.
Since Romeo and Juliet has been ripped off innumerable times over the centuries, we can't look to the story as anything unique; it's a different take on the old saw, but it sticks pretty closely to Shakespeare's basic tale. As such, the film develops its individual qualities from the musical aspects of the project, and it's clear those are quite special.
Adding to the thrill is the choreography by Co-director Jerome Robbins. Dancing occurs frequently throughout the film and its displays a creativity and an exuberance which maintains the "musical" style from which it originated. Robbins also features a very distinct visual pattern that makes the movie distinctive; there's a starkness and abstract quality to the look of the picture that come across as something different.
In this case, I actually do feel that West Side Story's adaptation from stage show to film was quite a success.. although I still feel audience viewers would have much more of an emotional experience at the musical production, seeing and feeling the characters emotions in real time rather than behind a screen.
If you havent seen it, hire out West Side Story, starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer - tell me your thoughts. It is one of the greatest productions of all time and not to be missed!!
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