Research Catalog

Title

West Side story symposium [sound recording]

Author

Robbins, Jerome

Publication

1985.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990
• Laurents, Arthur
• Sondheim, Stephen
• McNally, Terrence.
• Dramatists Guild.

Description

2 sound discs (ca. 96 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

• Disc 1 (ca. 48 min.) [Begins with 2 min. of applause] West Side story is the subject of this Dramatists Guild symposium. The session begins with an introduction from moderator Terrence McNally. Jerome Robbins describes the origin of his concept of a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, and his search for collaborators and producers. Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents discuss their reaction to Robbins' idea, the initial concept of a Jewish-Catholic conflict, and the evolution toward a focus on Puerto Rican immigrants. The four panelists frequently point out the differences in their memories of events. Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim discuss Bernstein's intention to write lyrics as well as music; how Sondheim joined the project; Bernstein's contribution to the lyrics, and the decision not to use obscenity in "Gee, Officer Krupke." Robbins, Bernstein and Laurents discuss their collaboration; the input of Richard Rodgers; the origin of the song "Something's coming." Laurents discusses their intention of having Maria's final speech set to music. Robbins and Sondheim discuss Laurents' book. Bernstein discusses the decision not to use words in the prologue, and Laurents discusses Robbins' choreography. Sondheim discusses how long it took to write the show, and how few changes were made to it after previews. Robbins discusses the length of the rehearsal period, and how the original cast influenced the writing of the show.
• Bernstein discusses the difficulty of casting the show, and the performance of Mickey Calin as Riff. Laurents discusses his use of argot in the script. The panelists discuss the difficulty of finding producers for the show, and how radical it was at the time for a musical to deal with tragic subjects. Bernstein describes auditioning the score with Sondheim at Columbia Records. Robbins discusses the contribution of set designer Oliver Smith. [Ends abruptly.]
• Disc 2 (ca. 48 min.) [Last 2 min. of disc 1 are repeated] Robbins and Sondheim discuss how closely the book follows the Shakespeare text. Laurents and Sondheim discuss the show's producers, and the high cost of the production. Bernstein and Robbins discuss their collaborations. Sondheim discusses his opinion of the lyrics he wrote; Robbins' staging of "Gee, Officer Krupke;" the order of numbers in the stage and film versions. Laurents and Sondheim discuss audience and critical responses to the preview performances in Washington. The panelists discuss their current opinions of the show. Bernstein discusses a new recording of the score with opera singers. Sondheim and Bernstein discuss reactions to the opening night in New York. Robbins discusses differences between the original and later casts in understanding of the material. Sondheim discusses Robbins' decision to keep the Jets and Sharks separate during rehearsals. Sondheim and Robbins discuss the innovative use of individual characters in the chorus. Bernstein discusses the overture. [Questions from the audience begin after ca. 33 min. Voices of some audience members are indaudible.] Bernstein discusses criticism of the show's portrayal of Puerto Ricans. Sondheim and Bernstein discuss influential aspects of the staging. Robbins discusses his goal of bridging the gap between "high art" and Broadway. [Content ends ca. 44 min.]

Series Statement

Jerome Robbins Collection

Alternative Title

Dance Audio Archive.

Subjects

• Musical theater
• Audiotapes > Robbins, J
• Artistic collaboration
• Musical comedies > West Side story

Event (note)

• Recorded at St. Peter's Church in the Citicorp Building, New York City, on Apr. 18, 1985.

Funding (note)

• Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Source (note)

• WNET/13

Biography (note)

• This symposium was part of a series sponsored by the Dramatists Guild on landmarks in American Theater.

Call Number

*MGZTL 4-3284 JRC

OCLC

NYPT04-R178

Author

Robbins, Jerome, interviewee.

Title

West Side story symposium [sound recording]

Imprint

1985.

Series

Jerome Robbins Collection

Performer

Panelists: Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents.

Event

Recorded at St. Peter's Church in the Citicorp Building, New York City, on Apr. 18, 1985.

Funding

Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Local Note

For transcript of excerpts see *MGZMT 3-3284 JRC. The transcript was created by WNET/13 in connection with the documentary: Jerome Robbins: Something to dance about.

Biography

This symposium was part of a series sponsored by the Dramatists Guild on landmarks in American Theater.

Local Note

Archival transcript: *MGZMTO 3-3284 JRC

Archive original: *MGZTCO 3-3284 JRC

Preservation master: *MGZTP 10-3284 JRC

Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-3284 JRC

Source

Transcript Gift; WNET/13, 2008. NN-PD

Connect to:

Request Access to Special Collections (Dance Division) material

Local Subject

Musical comedies. West Side story.

Audiotapes -- Robbins, J.

Added Author

Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990, interviewee.

Laurents, Arthur, interviewee.

Sondheim, Stephen, interviewee.

McNally, Terrence.

Dramatists Guild.

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-3284 JRC