West Side Story Analysis
The making of West Side Story contains multiple aspects that fascinate me. Part one of the
3-part radio series explains the interesting original plan for the show, the use of cinematic movements, and the illusion of tough talk. The producers originally devised a plan that involved parties, Catholics, and Jews on the east side of New York City. However, the papers filled with juvenile delinquents and gangs inspired them to change the plot to the gangs of the west side. I find their inspiration for the plot change captivating, and feel it was an extremely critical decision that largely benefited the production. Besides the change of location, the use of cinematic movement also interests me, and I am fascinated by the continuous movement of the …show more content…
The audition process was unlike any other, and it shocked me how many times people would audition for a major role. Carol Lawrence auditioned 13 times for the role of Maria and due to her excessive amount of auditions, a law was developed in order to assure people were receiving proper pay for their time. The decisions made in the auditioning process were just the beginning of the interesting choices director Jerome Robbins made. Robbins questioned the personal lives of everyone involved in the production, giving the members of the cast names and backstories. I find this approach to be riveting and believe it allowed the actors to dig deeper into who they are and what their role is in the production. In my opinion, the unique techniques Robbins used with the actors were brilliant. He kept the actors playing the jets and the sharks separate, which allowed them to experience what it truly was like to be part of a gang. However, Robbins is not the only person to credit for the astonishing production of West Side Story. Leonard Bernstein was a classically trained composer, and I believe his work with the complex score truly made the music in the show stand out. It contained an octave split directly in half, which created an exceptionally violent interval. The unique auditioning process, decisions made by Robbins, and the complexity of the score are all major components that I believe largely benefitted the actual production of West Side
3-part radio series explains the interesting original plan for the show, the use of cinematic movements, and the illusion of tough talk. The producers originally devised a plan that involved parties, Catholics, and Jews on the east side of New York City. However, the papers filled with juvenile delinquents and gangs inspired them to change the plot to the gangs of the west side. I find their inspiration for the plot change captivating, and feel it was an extremely critical decision that largely benefited the production. Besides the change of location, the use of cinematic movement also interests me, and I am fascinated by the continuous movement of the …show more content…
The audition process was unlike any other, and it shocked me how many times people would audition for a major role. Carol Lawrence auditioned 13 times for the role of Maria and due to her excessive amount of auditions, a law was developed in order to assure people were receiving proper pay for their time. The decisions made in the auditioning process were just the beginning of the interesting choices director Jerome Robbins made. Robbins questioned the personal lives of everyone involved in the production, giving the members of the cast names and backstories. I find this approach to be riveting and believe it allowed the actors to dig deeper into who they are and what their role is in the production. In my opinion, the unique techniques Robbins used with the actors were brilliant. He kept the actors playing the jets and the sharks separate, which allowed them to experience what it truly was like to be part of a gang. However, Robbins is not the only person to credit for the astonishing production of West Side Story. Leonard Bernstein was a classically trained composer, and I believe his work with the complex score truly made the music in the show stand out. It contained an octave split directly in half, which created an exceptionally violent interval. The unique auditioning process, decisions made by Robbins, and the complexity of the score are all major components that I believe largely benefitted the actual production of West Side