WEST SIDE STORY / 50 YEARS LATER

24 members of the original 1957 cast gathered in New York last November to celebrate an onstage reunion. This vid will take you backstage where the laughter and tears will give you an idea of what it was like in the good old days.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• West
• Side
• Story
• Broadway
• musicals
• Chita
• Rivera
• Carol
• Lawrence
• Jerome
• Robbins
• Stephen
• Sondheim
• Arthur
• Laurents

[groverd]

My pleasure, Wayne. I'm so grateful and comforted by the words that have surfaced here, I may decide to just stare at this page for a few more minutes. Mmm.

[waynebrasler]

To see Chita, Carol, Reri and so many others together again left me weeping at a most precious experience in my life 50 years ago. If only dear Larry Kert had been able to be part of this.

[groverd]

Believe me, Larry was there, as he is in any West Side experience that brings us back together. It's a family thing. Y'know what I mean?

[groverd]

This week, tickets for the 2009 revival of "West Side Story" went on sale for $120 each. In 1957, you could buy the best seat in the house (original production) for $7.25.

[knighsplume]

Are you Snowboy?

[groverd]

Yep. Even thogh I was Snowboy 51 years ago... he's still in my bones.....that Robbins guy can

sure beat it into you.

[SalamenceJr]

wow!! So you played Snowboy in the original, it would mean the world if you replied to this comment...

[Kghrt]

I totally agree.

[Monchito49]

Esos fueron los que realmente le abrieron paso a la obra en Broadway, aún con los 50 años transcurridos brillan con luz propia. Y como siempre una boricua entre ellos Chita Rivera. Que emoción volver a escuchar West Side Story desde Puerto Rico. Mi favorita de toda la vida.

[LUCAS70352]

Très émouvant, les témoins d'une grande histoire...

[magjfamily]

Carole D'Andrea was absolutely iconic in that role both on Broadway and in the movie. She helped define the movie; I don't think she's gotten the recognition she deserves. When you think of WSS, you ALWAYS think of that character and she was brilliant.

[powerfulpowerzz]

hey groverd, im a big fan, i was just wondering if any 1957 footage existed of u and the wss cast?? ive seen the ed sullivan one, but found nothing else....

ps, do u remember chitas performance as anita being as great as they say? id love to find footage of her too.

[Kghrt]

That is my beautiful acting teacher Carole D'Andrea original Velma Bdway, Graziella in the film that gets emotional. She is the blonde lady wearing the lilac shirt with a black sweatshirt . So emotional.

[thinairpro]

What a joy. This is what youtube exists for; to share an experience with many, like me, who could not be there but dream of a night like this. Thank you.

[newsmaninla]

Grover -- Thank you for posting this.  It took me back to the night our entire high school English class saw the show and met all of you. A night of magic that's still with me. -- Bill P.

[tominoz]

Wow that's just awesome! I'm playing/dancing/singing West Side Story with an acting school in Holland, I play Bernardo. Loved to see the 'veterans' dancing Gym. Thanks for this video!