WEST SIDE STORY
WITH ITS DARING TAKE ON ROMEO AND JULIET, THE MUSICAL SHOOK UP BROADWAY — THEN THE BIG SCREEN
Original cast members weigh in on the classic’s enduring impact to celebrate its milestone 60th anniversary.
After the curtain went down on the first performance of West Side Story in 1957, “there was dead silence, and we thought we were a flop,” cast member David Winters recalls to Closer. “All of a sudden, like a movie, one person started applauding, then they all got up and screamed and yelled — they loved it. They were so emotionally stunned and drained by what they had seen, they couldn’t start applauding right away.”
Sixty years later, musical-theater buffs still sing the show’s praises. A provocative reimagining of Romeo and Juliet set against the backdrop of warring NYC street gangs, “it’s more adventurous and musically exciting than what’s being written today,” composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked ) recently raved to Closer at the Gay Men’s Chorus Voice Awards. “It’s an enduring classic.”
But West Side Story’s road to sensational Broadway success wasn’t easy. Among the plethora of behindthe-scenes geniuses — including lyricist Stephen Sondheim, composer Leonard Bernstein and book writer Arthur Laurents — one ruled with an iron fist: choreographer-director Jerome Robbins. “He was the master, and we were the pawns,” David, 78, shares with Closer. “He moved us how he wanted.”
What he desired was the conflict between the Jets and the Sharks to spring from genuine conflict. “So many people described the production itself as a gang war,” Laurents has said. Carol Lawrence, 84, who played the female lead, Maria, says, “[Robbins] brought this method acting technique to the show, where he deliberately tried to foment animosity between the two opposing gangs, both on and offstage.” But the result was “an important musical,” New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel tells Closer. “It’s a masterpiece.”
When Hollywood made a movie version four years later, many original cast members lost their roles. Carol and Larry Kert (who played Maria’s star-crossed lover, Tony) were replaced by the more famous Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. “Natalie was uncomfortable,” Rita Moreno, 85, who stepped in for Chita Rivera as Maria’s gal pal Anita, tells Closer. “She was out of her element and in very fast company — these kids were spectacular dancers.”
Rita initially felt resistance from her costars. “We resented her because we wanted Chita to be in that role,” reveals David, who was cast in a different role for the film. “Eventually Rita won us over with her talent and wonderful personality.” She also charmed Oscar voters, who named her best supporting actress — one of 10 awards, including best picture, the film won, a record for a musical.
Russ Tamblyn, 82, who played Jets leader Riff, earned an even higher form of praise after the film’s Hollywood premiere. “I got this tap on the shoulder, and I turned around and it was Fred Astaire,” he marveled to Closer at the premiere of his daughter Amber’s directorial debut, Paint It Black. “He said, ‘You’re such a great dancer.’ I could barely speak!”
Fans remain mesmerized by West Side Story. “I’m always amazed [how many people recognize me from the film],” Rita says. “Even more now than before — they call me Anita!”
— Bruce Fretts, with reporting by Lanae
Brody, Katie Bruno and Lexi Ciccone
THE GANG’S NOT HERE
“Jerry [Robbins] declared that first day
the stage was a battleground.”
— Carol Lawrence