Music & Movies
Originally conceived as a Broadway musical with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography by Jerome Robbins, West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs—the Jets and the Sharks—and a rumble under the highway unfolds as a young Tony and Maria fall in love despite racial tensions. In 1962, the musical was made into a feature film directed by Robert Wise that swept 10 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations, including Best Picture, and won more awards than any other musical film in history. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theater and spawned generations of finger-snapping, Maria-belting dreamers.
Born in New York City, choreographer Laurence Goldhuber and his company Goldhuber & Latsky have created and performed works internationally. He is the recipient of a 2002 fellowship in Choreography from NYFA, and his work has been commissioned by The Joyce Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, PICA, Danspace Project, PS122, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Center. Tonight, he will don a cap and night-stick and play Officer Krupke himself, teaching the crowd famous steps from the film and leading a dance and sing-along.
Special pre-concert artists discussion featuring Scott Foundas of The Film Society at Lincoln Center and Henry Krieger, who wrote the music for the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Discussion begins at 7:30pm. This performance is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces program.
Venue Information:
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is one of New York City's longest running, free, outdoor performing arts festivals and is held every summer at the Prospect Park Bandshell. View seating arrangements here.
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