West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
Synopsis
As the world prepared to celebrate the 60th anniversary of *West Side Story* in 2017, dancer Bruno Tonioli and broadcaster Suzy Klein explored the true stories behind the creation of this classic show. For the first time on television, they heard firsthand accounts from those involved when the show opened on Broadway in September 1957, including Stephen Sondheim, producer Hal Prince, and original cast members from both the stage production and the film, such as Chita Rivera, Carol Lawrence, and Rita Moreno. Featuring the BBC Symphony Orchestra and specially cast singers, the program re-created some of the show's memorable music, and through the efforts of Suzy and Bruno, it examined how *West Side Story* addressed the 1950s issues of racial tension and teenage gangs, ultimately transforming musical theatre.
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Principal cast & crew: 14
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Craft leads on file
Edited by Iain KitchingShot by Patrick SmithScored by Anne Nikitin
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Cast & Crew
14 unique people credited
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