West Side Story
About This Concert:
The Minnesota Orchestra performs Leonard Bernstein's electrifying score live while the remastered film West Side Story is shown in glorious high definition on the big screen.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- David Newman, conductor
Fun Facts:
- West Side Story re-imagines Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York City, as a bitter rivalry between two teenage street gangs—the American-born Jets and the Puerto Rican immigrant Sharks—is forever altered by a forbidden love affair between the young couple Tony and Maria.
- Since its debut on Broadway in 1957 and the 1961 film adaptation, West Side Story has become a favorite to generations of audiences, and many of its songs have become pop culture touchstones, including “Maria,” “Tonight,” “Somewhere” and “America.”
- Rita Moreno (Anita) and George Chakiris (Bernardo) won Oscars® for their performances, among the 10 bestowed on the film—the most ever for a movie musical at that time.
- Although the original musical materials for the movie arrangements were lost, 14 months of research by The Leonard Bernstein Office brought to light a trove of important finds in private collections and library archives around the country.
- Bernstein himself conducted the Minnesota Orchestra (then Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra) twice in 1945 and 1947. He was a good friend of the Orchestra’s fourth music director, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and mentored its ninth music director, Eiji Oue.
Please note: to enhance the clarity of spoken dialogue during this film screening and live musical performance, English subtitles will appear at the bottom of the screen.
West Side Story © 1961 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
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West Side Story
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West Side Story
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About This Concert:
The Minnesota Orchestra performs Leonard Bernstein's electrifying score live while the remastered film West Side Story is shown in glorious high definition on the big screen.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- David Newman, conductor
Fun Facts:
- West Side Story re-imagines Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York City, as a bitter rivalry between two teenage street gangs—the American-born Jets and the Puerto Rican immigrant Sharks—is forever altered by a forbidden love affair between the young couple Tony and Maria.
- Since its debut on Broadway in 1957 and the 1961 film adaptation, West Side Story has become a favorite to generations of audiences, and many of its songs have become pop culture touchstones, including “Maria,” “Tonight,” “Somewhere” and “America.”
- Rita Moreno (Anita) and George Chakiris (Bernardo) won Oscars® for their performances, among the 10 bestowed on the film—the most ever for a movie musical at that time.
- Although the original musical materials for the movie arrangements were lost, 14 months of research by The Leonard Bernstein Office brought to light a trove of important finds in private collections and library archives around the country.
- Bernstein himself conducted the Minnesota Orchestra (then Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra) twice in 1945 and 1947. He was a good friend of the Orchestra’s fourth music director, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and mentored its ninth music director, Eiji Oue.
Please note: to enhance the clarity of spoken dialogue during this film screening and live musical performance, English subtitles will appear at the bottom of the screen.
West Side Story © 1961 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
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OH+ Concert activities on Saturday February 17 / see all upcoming OH+ events
Concert Preview
When: 6:55-7:25pm Where: Auditorium Join host Phillip Gainsley and conductor David Newman for an informative and entertaining interview in which Newman will talk about his family's storied history in the film industry, and demonstrate the "Newman System" of syncing film with live orchestra. This 30-minute concert preview is free; however, a concert ticket is required for entry.
Dance with Salsa del Soul!
When: 7-7:45pm Where: Target Atrium Salsa del Soul is a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean. The styles of music they perform include Son, Son Montuno, Plena, Cha-cha-cha, Bachata, Timba, and, of course, Salsa!
Vote for Your Favorite Movie Soundtrack
When: Pre-concert & Intermission Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer Visit the Symphony Ball table to enjoy a free popcorn sample (while supplies last) and cast your vote for a chance to win a pair of Partier tickets to our annual gala ($150 value).
Guthrie Theater Costume Display
When: Pre-Concert & Intermission Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer This summer the Guthrie Theater presents its first production of West Side Story, helmed by Artistic Director Joseph Haj, from June 16 – August 26. View a selection of sketches that are currently in process by the production’s award-winning costume designer, Jennifer Caprio. Plus, enjoy a display of vintage clothing representative of the 1950s styles depicted in the film, courtesy of Costume Rentals – a division of the Guthrie Theater.