Is West Side Story a ballet?
Is West Side Story a ballet?
West Side Story Suite is a ballet suite choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Robbins conceived, directed and choreographed the 1957 musical West Side Story, then co-directed its 1961 film adaptation, before including parts of the choreography in the anthology Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.
What is Jerome Robbins dance style?
Robbins’ choreography had an emphasis on American dancing, to American music—like blues and jazz. He always wanted an easy, natural style from his dancers, and he often told them to dance as if they were “marking” it.
What happens in West Side Story?
It shows the growing tensions between the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, a gang made up of “American” boys. An incident between the Jets and Shark leader, Bernardo, escalates into an all out fight between the two gangs.
Why is West Side Story important?
It is significant because of its melding of jazz, avant-garde, Broadway, and Latin-American musical styles, predating the fusion movement by ten years. You can modernize it, perform it in difference types of genres and venues, and still its original melodic and harmonic strength comes through.
What did Jerome Robbins do?
Jerome Robbins was one of the 20th century’s most popular ballet and Broadway musical choreographers, known for gems like West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.
What is the Robbins effect?
ONE OF THE most enthralling aspects of a Broadway musical is dance. Call it “The Robbins Effect.” Robbins, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2018, established a new set of rules with West Side Story, rules that creators of musical theatre continue to follow to this day, whether they realize it or not.
What is the main theme of West Side Story?
West Side Story is truly everywhere — and with its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, West Side Story speaks to us today as urgently as ever.
What is the story West Side Story about?
A musical in which a modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang members falls in love with a rival’s sister.
West Side Story/Film synopsis
What is the message of West Side Story?
The hope of the end of the movie (as in the Shakespeare play that it is inspired by) is that the tragic death of the lover gives both sides the chance to realize how wrong they have been and perhaps a hope that they will learn to understand each other and work together. That message was apparently lost on Mr. Varela.
When did Jerome Robbins stop dancing?
1990s. Following a bicycle accident in 1990 and heart-valve surgery in 1994, in 1996 he began showing signs of a form of Parkinson’s disease, and his hearing was quickly deteriorating. He nevertheless staged Les Noces for City Ballet in 1998, his last project.
Why was Jerry Robbins fired from Westside Story?
Had 2020 gone as originally planned, the remake of West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg would have been hitting theaters in just a few weeks. Among many other problems, legendary director and choreographer Jerome Robbins was fired from directing the film after his reputation as a taskmaster proved overbearing.
Who choreographed new West Side Story?
Justin Peck
At one point in the making of the new movie version of “West Side Story,” Justin Peck, the film’s choreographer, found himself careening around the studio with Steven Spielberg, pushing the director in a swivel chair so he could shoot the dancers with his phone.
What type of dance was in West Side Story?
In West Side Story the introduction to “America” is based on a type of Puerto Rican song and dance music known as Seis. It is a type of Puero Rican dance music which originated in the 17th century in Spain.
Who choreographed West Side Story?
Jerome Robbins (October 11, 1918 – July 29, 1998) was an American choreographer, director, dancer, and theater producer who worked in classical ballet, on Broadway, and in films and television. Among his numerous stage productions he worked on were On the Town, Peter Pan, High Button Shoes , The King And I , The Pajama Game , Bells Are Ringing, West Side Story, Gypsy, and Fiddler on the Roof ; Robbins was a five time Tony Award winner and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
Who choreographed West Side Story film?
West Side Story (1961) The first order of business in bringing West Side Story to the screen was casting. This was left largely to Robert Wise, who had been chosen as co-director primarily for his work with film actors (stage choreographer-director Jerome Robbins would handle the musical sequences).
Is West Side Story a Broadway show?
West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast) is the 1957 recording of a Broadway production of the musical West Side Story. Recorded 3 days after the show opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, the recording was released in October 1957 in both mono and stereo formats.
