West Side Story Revival 2009

Run Time:
2 hours and 40 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 12+
Opened: March 19, 2009
Closing: January 02, 2011

West Side Story - 2009 - Broadway History , Info & More

National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20004



More than fifty years ago, a show about New York City changed musical theatre forever. Now, it's coming home to make history once again. This spring, WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway in a groundbreaking new production directed by its legendary librettist, Tony Award® winner Arthur Laurents.



From the first notes to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Mr. Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim -- a collection of standards that includes "Tonight," "America," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere" -- is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. And the extraordinary, Tony-winning winning choreography by Jerome Robbins completely changed the language of Broadway dance. This production will offer a bold new design that builds on the show's raw power and emotion to create a fresh experience unlike any that came before it.



Don't miss this thrilling presentation of a matchless work of art.

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR West Side Story

West Side Story
7 / 10

The much-anticipated rethinking of 'West Side Story' is neither revelation nor vandalism. It is still 'West Side Story,' with those jazzy, jagged, gloriously (and shamelessly) sentimental Leonard Bernstein songs and (most of) Stephen Sondheim's swaggering, dazzling lyrics. In other words, it's still a wonderful show. As promised, new director (and original author) Arthur Laurents has darkened the violence in his bilingual revival of the 1957 landmark musical that transports Romeo and Juliet to mean-street Manhattan... The physical production is surprisingly conventional - modest in imagination if not in budget. And despite the tougher edge in Joey Mc-Kneely's reconsideration of Jerome Robbins' character-defining choreography, the second-act ballet sequence, 'Somewhere,' is as sappy as a love-in and sung by a boy soprano. Why do the Jets pretend to row a boat in a hard-hitting 'Gee, Officer Krupke'? And how are we to buy the concept's gritty new realism when the Jets have the same artfully applied smudges on their faces throughout the show?

‘West Side Story’ Is Tight, Tough, Not to Be Missed
9 / 10

In this staging, there are notable improvements, starting with the danced Prologue, in which the Jets and Sharks seem more numerous and threatening than ever before. Similarly, the near- rape of Maria’s friend Anita is more realistically terrifying. Maria and the Latino girls who sing the comic song “I Feel Pretty” are shown doing things, such as nail polishing. Each gang member now has more of an individual personality.

BWW TV Closing Night Flashback: WEST SIDE STORY
by Robert Diamond - January 2, 2011

West Side Story returned to Broadway in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. Broadway Beat and BWW were there to cover every exciting moment of Opening Night-get ready to 'rumble' with this Sneak Peek!

WEST SIDE STORY Revival Becomes Longest Running WSS On Broadway
by Gabrielle Sierra - December 20, 2010

On Monday, December 20, 2010, the Tony Award-winning production of WEST SIDE STORY becomes the longest running incarnation of the groundbreaking musical, playing its 733 performance surpassing the original production which held the record having played 732 Performances on Broadway.

Photo Flash: WEST SIDE STORY National Tour!
by BWW Photo Special - December 8, 2010

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit on September 30.

BWW Interviews: WSS's Matthew Hydzik
by Joseph F. Panarello - October 6, 2010

The role of Tony in WEST SIDE STORY may be the most difficult role to cast in musical theatre. It requires a young performer who can sing a tenor role, dance Jerome Robbins' iconic choreography, and act convincingly enough to make the audience believe that love-at-first-sight is a true possibility in the real world. Not every production of the show is successful in getting someone who scores in all these departments.

WEST SIDE STORY to Close January 2
by Robert Diamond - September 15, 2010

The hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY, directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents with the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely, will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 2, 2011, having played 27 preview and 748 regular performances.

Scaglione Departs WEST SIDE STORY 9/19; Sarah Amengual Takes Over 9/21
by Robert Diamond - September 1, 2010

The producers of the revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that Broadway newcomer Sarah Amengual will be Broadway's 'Maria' beginning Tuesday, September 21, 2010. 2009 Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione will play her final performance as 'Maria' on Sunday, September 19, 2010. Ms. Amengual follows in this production's tradition of brining fresh new talent to the role of 'Maria.'

The After Party Presents Billings, Shaw and Whitton, 8/20
by Molly Hagan - August 20, 2010

Tonight, Friday, August 20, The After Party welcomes Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Inductee and MAC, Jeff & Chicago After Dark Award Winner Alexandra Billings.

BWW TV: WEST SIDE STORY Plays Bryant Park!
by Robert Diamond - August 13, 2010

The best of Broadway was presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage and ended yesterday, August 12. The series, which just completed its 10 season, was sponsored by Bank of America and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and washosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities.

Synthesized Music on Bway - Can You Tell the Difference?
by Jessica Lewis - July 20, 2010

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, the producers of West Side Story on Broadway are planning to replace half of its string section with a synthesizer. This has sparked much debate, with opponents claiming that a synthesized sound alters the theater-going experience.

HEIGHTS, WEST SIDE STORY Cast Members Learn New Hands-Only CPR 6/3
by Gabrielle Sierra - June 2, 2010

Knowing CPR can save a life. It's as simple as that. That's why Latino cast members from Broadway's 'In the Heights' and 'West Side Story' are joining the American Heart Association (AHA) for The Heartbeat of Broadway, a special event to learn the new Hands-Only(TM) CPR.

HEIGHTS, WEST SIDE STORY Cast Members Learn New Hands-Only CPR 6/3
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 25, 2010

Knowing CPR can save a life. It's as simple as that. That's why Latino cast members from Broadway's 'In the Heights' and 'West Side Story' are joining the American Heart Association (AHA) for The Heartbeat of Broadway, a special event to learn the new Hands-Only(TM) CPR.

Olivo on Medical Leave from WEST SIDE STORY; Cortez to Sub for 6-8 Weeks
by Robert Diamond - May 14, 2010

The producers of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that Tony Award- winner Karen Olivo will be out of the Broadway musical as she sustained a broken foot at the 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 8. Ms. Olivo's doctors estimate that she will be out of the show for 6-8 weeks. In the interim WEST SIDE STORY cast member Natalie Cortez will take over the role of "Anita."

Karen Olivo Breaks Foot Onstage; Return to Show Unknown
by Charlie Piane - May 11, 2010

Audience reports from this Saturday night's WEST SIDE STORY noted that Karen Olivo fell during the show's late in ACT 2 'drugstore scene' and limped off stage at the conclusion of the scene, not to return for the curtain call.

Photos: WEST SIDE STORY Celebrates First Year Anniversary
by Brian Estrada - March 20, 2010

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009. Karen Olivo won a 2009 Tony Award for her performance as 'Anita,' and the new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. WEST SIDE STORY recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks (247 performances), and a touring production is set to tour North America beginning in the fall of 2010.

WEST SIDE STORY Celebrates 1st Anniversary On Broadway At Palace Theatre 3/19
by BWW News Desk - March 19, 2010

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009.

WEST SIDE STORY Celebrates 1st Anniversary On Broadway At Palace Theatre 3/19
by Gabrielle Sierra - March 16, 2010

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009.

Ziegfeld Theatre Ends Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', 2/18
by BWW News Desk - February 18, 2010

Just in time for Valentine's Day Ziegfeld Theatre is hosting a special engagement for one week only of two of the greatest New York love stories of all time: West Side Story and Funny Girl on screen. They will play from February 12 through the 18 with no shows on Wednesday, February 17.

Ziegfeld Theatre Hosts Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', 2/12-18
by BWW News Desk - February 12, 2010

Just in time for Valentine's Day Ziegfeld Theatre is hosting a special engagement for one week only of two of the greatest New York love stories of all time: West Side Story and Funny Girl on screen. They will play from February 12 through the 18 with no shows on Wednesday, February 17.

Ziegfeld Theatre Hosts Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', 2/12-18
by BWW News Desk - February 12, 2010

Just in time for Valentine's Day Ziegfeld Theatre is hosting a special engagement for one week only of two of the greatest New York love stories of all time: West Side Story and Funny Girl on screen. They will play from February 12 through the 18 with no shows on Wednesday, February 17.

Ziegfeld Theatre Hosts Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', Opens 2/12
by BWW News Desk - February 12, 2010

Just in time for Valentine's Day Ziegfeld Theatre is hosting a special engagement for one week only of two of the greatest New York love stories of all time: West Side Story and Funny Girl on screen. They will play from February 12 through the 18 with no shows on Wednesday, February 17.

Photo Flash: WEST SIDE STORY Cast & Crew 'Make A Wish' Come True
by Gabrielle Sierra - February 5, 2010

A milestone wish came true on Broadway when 14-year-old Elijah from Queens, who loves the theater, could not have been happier when his wish to meet the cast and crew of West Side Story became an unforgettable reality.

WEST SIDE STORY National Tour Gets Detroit Launch in October
by Jeff Dennhardt - February 5, 2010

A touring production of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is set to tour North America beginning this fall. The tour will open at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, MI in October 2010. Other cities will be announced soon.

Ziegfeld Theatre Hosts Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', 2/12-18
by Aimee Savoth - February 3, 2010

Just in time for Valentine's Day Ziegfeld Theatre is hosting a special engagement for one week only of two of the greatest New York love stories of all time: West Side Story and Funny Girl on screen. They will play from February 12 through the 18 with no shows on Wednesday, February 17.

West Side Story FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Prologue
Jet Song
Something's Coming
The Dance at the Gym
Maria
Tonight
America
Cool
One Hand, One Heart
The Rumble
I Feel Pretty
Somewhere
Gee, Officer Krupke!
A Boy Like That
I Have a Love
Taunting
Kids Ain't
This Turf Is Ours
Opening Sequence
Mix!
Prologue
Jet Song
Something's Coming
Dance At The Gym
Maria
Balcony Scene
America
Cool
One Hand, One Heart
Tonight (Quintet)
The Rumble
I Feel Pretty
Ballet Sequence
Scherzo
Somewhere
Procession and Nightmare
Gee, Officer Krupke
A Boy Like That
I Have a Love
Taunting Scene
Finale
West Side Story has had 21 productions including Broadway which opened in 1957, Broadway which opened in 1957, West End which opened in 1958, US Tour which opened in 1959, Broadway which opened in 1960, Broadway which opened in 1960, Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1968, Broadway which opened in 1980, Broadway which opened in 1980, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1991, Regional (UK) which opened in 1992, West End which opened in 1998, Houston, TX (Regional) which opened in 2006, Broadway which opened in 2009, US Tour which opened in 2010, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2015, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2018, Regional (US) which opened in 2018 and Broadway which opened in 2020.
Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Howell Binkley.
West Side Story has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Pal Joey, Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Arthur Laurents, Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Josefina Scaglione.
West Side Story has won several awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Pal Joey. Arthur Laurents won the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. The show also won Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Josefina Scaglione received the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards.

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