When did West Side Story premiere?
West Side Story premiered in 1957. The project began as a story about Jewish and Catholic families in 1949 before evolving into the final version.
Common questions about West Side Story
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who created West Side Story?
West Side Story was created by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents. Jerome Robbins served as the director and choreographer for the original production.
What was the original setting of West Side Story?
The original setting of West Side Story was the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The initial concept focused on tensions between Jewish and Catholic communities before shifting to the Upper West Side.
Who played Tony and Maria in the original West Side Story cast?
Larry Kert played Tony and Carol Lawrence played Maria in the original West Side Story cast. Chita Rivera portrayed Anita in the same production.
How many Academy Awards did the 1961 West Side Story film win?
The 1961 West Side Story film won ten Academy Awards. The film also won Best Picture and featured Rita Moreno as the first Latina actress to win an Oscar for her role.