Was West Side Story A Musical Or Movie First
West Side Story is a beloved American classic that has been enjoyed by audiences for over half a century. The story follows the rivalry between two teenage street gangs from different ethnic backgrounds in New York City. The original production of West Side Story was a Broadway musical with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical premiered in 1957 and was an immediate success, winning several Tony Awards.
The Movie Adaptation
In 1961, West Side Story was adapted into a movie, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The movie starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris. The movie was a critical and commercial success, winning ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
The movie adaptation of West Side Story was not only faithful to the original musical but also enhanced it with stunning visuals and choreography. The movie also made some changes to the original story and characters, such as making the character of Doc a drugstore owner instead of a candy store owner, and changing the name of the character A-rab to Action.
The Differences Between The Musical And The Movie
While the movie adaptation of West Side Story closely follows the plot and characters of the original musical, there are some significant differences between the two. One of the most notable differences is the addition of a prologue and intermission in the movie, which were not present in the original musical. The prologue features a montage of New York City, while the intermission features an orchestral medley of the show's songs.
The movie also features some changes to the music and lyrics. For example, the song "Cool" has a different melody in the movie than it does in the musical, and the lyrics to the song "Gee, Officer Krupke" are slightly changed. Additionally, some of the songs were shortened or cut altogether in the movie, such as "I Feel Pretty" and "A Boy Like That".
Legacy Of West Side Story
West Side Story has had a significant impact on American culture and musical theater. The show has been revived on Broadway several times since its original production, most recently in 2020. The movie adaptation remains a beloved classic and has been preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry.
The themes of West Side Story, such as racial tension, gang violence, and forbidden love, continue to resonate with audiences today. The show's iconic score, which includes songs like "Maria", "Somewhere", and "Tonight", has become a staple of musical theater and has been covered by countless artists.
Conclusion
In conclusion, West Side Story was first a Broadway musical before it was adapted into a movie. While the movie closely follows the plot and characters of the musical, there are some notable differences between the two. Nevertheless, both the musical and the movie have had a significant impact on American culture and continue to be beloved by audiences today.