West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING] [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Carol Lawrence (Artist), Larry Kert (Artist), Chita Rivera (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000056TB2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,009 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
What is there left to say about this musical, deservedly one of the most famous in the canon? Created by what lyricist Stephen Sondheim described as "a unique concatenation of people" (Leonard Bernstein, Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins), the show remains as explosively vibrant, daring, and modern as it was decades ago. Bernstein integrated Latin percussion and jazz into his electrifying score, dazzlingly translating New York's unique vitality into a musical idiom. West Side Story has been adapted for jazz and interpreted by pop and opera singers, but you owe it to yourself to check out the original version to see what the fuss was all about. This new reissue adds over 20 minutes of "symphonic dances" as well as liner notes and production photos. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a Broadway masterpiece, October 4, 2003

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

WEST SIDE STORY is indeed one of the greatest Broadway musicals. Rarely has it been better-sung than on the glittering 1957 original cast album, now reissued on the Columbia Broadway Masterworks label.

The young, vibrant cast was made up mostly of unknown actors, who all went on to make big names for themselves on the stage. The musical launched the career of triple-threat Chita Rivera, as the fiery Anita. Carol Lawrence (SARATOGA, SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING) played Maria whilst the role of Tony was essayed by a young Larry Kert (COMPANY, FOLLIES).

The Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim score is simply gorgeous and includes "Maria", "One Hand One Heart", "Somewhere" and "The Jet Song". Chita Rivera adds her brassy belt to the showstopping "America"; Carol Lawrence's clarion soprano is perfectly showcased in "I Feel Pretty"; Larry Kert is the picture of youthful longing in "Something's Coming". Equally thrilling is the energetic "Quintet", which is a major highlight of the colorful score.

Chita Rivera went on to star in the equally-successful London production, and went on to appear in both the Broadway and London companies of BYE BYE BIRDIE. Other lauded Broadway appearances came in BAJOUR and her Tony-winning roles in THE RINK and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. As of this review's writing, she's winning a whole new generation of fans in the 2003 revival of Maury Yeston's NINE.

WEST SIDE STORY continues to be recognised as one of Broadway's landmark musicals. This new remastered edition of the peerless 1957 production is a must-have in every cast album collection.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Original cast Album!, February 3, 2004

By	Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Recorded just days after WEST SIDE STORY opened on Broadway this original cast disc is one of the best from the golden days of Goddard Lieberson at Columbia Records. He knew exactly how to translate a stage musical to records. The prologue needed more excitement so he added the sonds of the gang members and had the orchestra increase the tempo. Not every note would fit (the Lp was very long for its day: 57 minutes!) so some trims were made here and there but done with such skill that they are hardly noticed. On the other hand, the entire "Somewhere" Ballet is heard here. It was not used in the movie.

Some people prefer the movie soundtrack for its beefier orchestrations. It too is a very fine recording of the score. But this is the first, the original. The way WEST SIDE STORY sounded when it premiered.

Sony's reissue sounds sensational: crisp, and clear with every orchestral texture. The bonus tracks are a symphonic suite of dances that Bernstein extracted for concert performances.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful sound I ever heard, May 3, 2001

By	Lee Ann,music lover "music lover" (Middletown, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Although I have to admit to having had,and still having a mad crush on Richard Beymer(Tony), The OBC of West Side Story is far and above the movie recording.(Yes, I do know that it was dubbed). Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence are magical as Maria and Tony, and the rest of the cast is super,especially Chita Rivera as Anita.Many times over the years,when there was a Broadway funs raiser for PBS , you could count on Larry Kert to sing "Maria" as beautifully as when it was first recorded and performed over forty years ago. West Side Story has to represent the best example for using the ORIGINAL PERFORMERS(Sorry Richard!)instead of big Hollywood names. Bravo Bravo Bravo!