Who Wrote West Side Story
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West Side Story, a classic musical about two lovers amidst a gang rivalry in New York City’s Upper West Side, was written by a powerhouse duo: composer Leonard Bernstein and playwright Arthur Laurents.
Bernstein, who had recently begun cultivating a successful Broadway career, wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics with fellow playwright Stephen Sondheim. Meanwhile, Laurents wrote the libretto, the central narrative of the musical.
The Broadway production of West Side Story opened on September 26, 1957, and was an immediate hit, going on to run for over 700 performances. The original production earned a Best Musical Tony Award, among other awards that season.
A famous Hollywood version of West Side Story was released in 1961 and was equally successful, winning 10 Academy awards, a Golden Globe award for Best Motion Picture, and three Grammy Awards for Best Soundtrack Album.
When developing West Side Story, Bernstein, Laurents and Sondheim re-conceptualized the classic play Romeo and Juliet, setting it amongst a 1950’s gang-dominated New York City. This take on a classic resonated with audiences and lead to the musical’s long-lasting success.
The musical is still a beloved classic today, with regional and touring theatrical productions, as well as a popular film adaptation with Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno.
West Side Story, with the combined genius of Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim, is a beloved musical classic that continues to entertain and inspire after 63 years.