| At the age of 15, Louis became Leonard | | | | Story" was performed 732 times prior to going |
| Bernstein. As a child, Leonard was always | | | | on tour. It was nominated for Best Musical in |
| interested in music and was frequently taken to | | | | 1957's Tony Awards, but it did not win. However, |
| concerts. He began to play piano and attended | | | | the Tony Award for Best Choreography did go |
| the Garrison School, Boston Latin School, Harvard | | | | to "West Side Story" that year. 2008 marks the |
| University, and the Curtis Institute of Music. In his | | | | 50th anniversary revival of "West Side Story." |
| life, Bernstein accomplished a great deal. When | | | | The revival begins July 22 at Sadler's Wells |
| "West Side Story" came to life, his career | | | | Theatre in London. While the original cast will not |
| skyrocketed. | | | | be performing, the new cast is eager to perform |
| Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" has been a | | | | this amazing play, which has been staged in |
| classic love story for hundreds of years. In 1957, | | | | numerous theatres and opera houses all over the |
| the classic masterpiece of love, death, and fury | | | | world. Another revival is set for Washington, D.C.'s |
| was given a new flare. Leonard Bernstein | | | | National Theatre and in mid-December. |
| composed the music for the cast of main | | | | National tours for "West Side Story" have |
| characters. With a plot similar to "Romeo and | | | | crossed the United States, the United Kingdom, |
| Juliet," the musical amazed audiences worldwide. | | | | Hong Kong, Australia, Israel, and Africa. |
| Arthur Laurents wrote the book. Bernstein | | | | Adaptations of the play have also been written. |
| composed the music, and Stephen Sondheim | | | | Philippe Gobeille presented a French version of this |
| created the lyrics for Bernstein's music. | | | | play in 2008 in Quebec and a Philippine version is |
| The love story is set in 1950's upper west side | | | | scheduled to begin performances in September |
| Manhattan. The plot, similar to Shakespeare's | | | | 2008. |
| infamous love story, surrounds two gangs. A | | | | References to "West Side Story" and many of |
| member from each gang falls in love. Tony, who | | | | the musical pieces in it have influenced many |
| is a Manhattan gang member, falls in love with | | | | facets of music and culture. "I Feel Pretty" has |
| Maria, a Puerto Rican gang leader's sister. Like | | | | been featured in the films "Anger Management" |
| Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," "West Side | | | | and "Dirty Dancing." References to the play can |
| Story" illuminated themes of juvenile delinquency, | | | | also be exhibited in "Analyze That," "Shrek," |
| but the delinquency was represented through the | | | | Michael Jackson's "Beat It" music video, Saturday |
| gang wars and mischief instead of rival families. | | | | Night Live, and Friends. |
| The music by Leonard Bernstein from the play | | | | References to the play can also be heard in |
| has become quite popular over the last 51 years, | | | | modern music. Santana's "Maria Maria," Kiss's "Hide |
| especially with the 1961 release of "West Side | | | | Your Heart," Metallica's "America," Dire Straits' |
| Story" the film. Bernstein's most famous numbers | | | | "Romeo and Juliet," and Alice Cooper's "Gutter Cat |
| include the following: "Maria," "America," | | | | vs. the Jets" all have ties or references to "West |
| "Somewhere," "Jet Song," and "I Feel Pretty". | | | | Side Story." Bernstein's legendary music will remain |
| Starting on September 26, 1957, "West Side | | | | a staple of pop culture for centuries to come. |