Sondheim said he was working on music for a different show, and not looking for another job, when he was asked to be the lyricist on the original 1957 Broadway musical for « West Side Story, » a Romeo and Juliet story set in the slums of old Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Similarly, What are three other musicals that Stephen Sondheim contributed to?
Known for the startling complexity of his lyricism and music, his major works for the theater also include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods.
Did Sondheim see West Side Story? And I said, ‘Steve, thank you. I am. ‘ ” The young members of Spielberg’s “West Side Story” cast also enjoyed being able to be in Sondheim’s presence and talk with him.
Thereof, Where did Sondheim grow up?
Born March 22, 1930, in New York City, Sondheim grew up in the affluent atmosphere of Central Park West in Manhattan. His father was a dress manufacturer, and his mother was the firm’s fashion designer and an interior decorator.
Why is it called West Side Story?
It was a name of a critically acclaimed album by the British pop group Squeeze. The back cover of the album mocked the famous fire-escape imagery of West Side Story’s original poster and album. However, it’s likely the band was slyly referring not to western Manhattan, but to the equally rough East End of London.
Has Spielberg ever done a musical?
For Steven Spielberg, movie musicals are a one-and-done deal. The famed director, 75, attended an annual breakfast event ahead of the 2022 Producers Guild of America Awards on Saturday, where he said that West Side Story will be the only musical he ever directs, Variety reported.
Who directed first West Side Story?
West Side Story (1961 film)
| West Side Story | |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release poster by Joe Caroff | |
| Directed by | Robert Wise Jerome Robbins |
| Screenplay by | Ernest Lehman |
| Based on | West Side Story by Jerome Robbins Leonard Bernstein Stephen Sondheim Arthur Laurents Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare |
Did Steven Spielberg make West Side Story for his dad?
At the end of the new film adaptation of West Side Story, we see a dedication in sunflower-tinged lettering: “For Dad.” It’s a message from director Steven Spielberg to his father Arnold, who passed away in August 2020.
Where did Sondheim live in PA?
As a young emerging musician and lyricist in his teens, Stephen Sondheim lived in Doylestown, and during his time in Bucks County, he met and was mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II. Oscar and his wife Dorothy lived with their family at Highland Farm for the last twenty years of Oscar’s life.
Who did Sondheim mentor?
After early practice at songwriting, his knowledge of musical theater was influenced by master lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, who served as a mentor. Sondheim’s contributions to West Side Story and Gypsy in the 1950s brought him recognition as a rising star of Broadway.
How did Sondheim meet Hammerstein?
Sondheim recalls that the mentorship officially began when Hammerstein critiqued a draft of a musical called By George, a musical à clef about the preparatory school where the young protégé was then a junior.
Is Lin Manuel Miranda doing West Side Story?
Prior to nabbing almost every award going—Tony’s, Emmy’s and Grammy’s included—for his massive Broadway hit Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda worked on the Spanish translation of West Side Story for the 2009 revival.
Who was the leader of the Jets in West Side Story?
We are introduced to the leader of the Jets, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), and the leader of the Sharks, Bernardo (George Chakiris).
What nationality was Tony in West Side Story?
The story, for the most part, would remain the same: It would tell the tale of star-crossed lovers—Tony, a Polish-Irish boy, and Maria, a Puerto Rican girl—who meet a tragic end, but now the lovers would be caught up in a world of street violence.
What did Stephen Sondheim write?
Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In …
What musicals has steven Spielberg done?
If you were a fan of Spielberg’s take on the musical West Side Story, unfortunately, it may be the only musical he’ll direct during his career. According to Variety, Spielberg shared that West Side Story will be the first and last musical he directs during the Producers Guild Awards breakfast.
Did Rita Moreno do her own singing in West Side Story?
Lastly, the cast is joined by a veteran West Side Story member, Rita Moreno. The Anita of the 1961 film now portrays Valentina, the widow of the original character, Doc. Although Moreno only did some of her own singing decades ago, she now gets to perform one of West Side Story’s most iconic songs, “Somewhere”.
Who played the tomboy in West Side Story?
In the 2021 remake of West Side Story, Anybodys’ character, played by non-binary actor Iris Menas, is no longer a tomboy and is instead a trans man, fixing a major problem with the character in the original.
Who choreographed West Side Story?
West Side Story’ choreographer Justin Peck explains the film’s dances Six decades after the film West Side Story premiered, the legendary musical has been reimagined. Choreographer Justin Peck updated the dances of the original story.
Why did Spielberg dedicate West Side Story?
The legendary film director and producer, 74, recently told Digital Spy how Arnold watched performances on his movie set on FaceTime, with him being too elderly to travel, and dedicated the film to his late father as he was ‘so sad he couldn’t see it’.
Is West Side Story inappropriate?
West Side Story is rated PG-13 for some violence, strong language, thematic content, suggestive material and brief smoking by the MPAA which means it may not be suitable for kids under 13.
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