Happy Eastover!

Whatever you’re celebrating this weekend, hope it is full of music and…sugar coated dance fighting?! Enjoy this Peep Side Story — a holiday treat from us to you. What would Lenny think? 

Heading home, but looking for some good music before you get there? The New York Philharmonic’s Rush Hour Concerts — at 6:45 p.m. — offer shorter concerts at an early hour. On the first of three — January 4 — Alan Gilbert conducts Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and two Ravel favorites: Mother Goose and La Valse. In tandem with the concert is the launch of two new series: a free Pre-Concert Talk and a Post-Concert “Casual Conversation” at The David Rubenstein Atrium. For more information, visit nyphil.org/rushhour.

Choose your alliance tomorrow when DanceOn presents a West Side Story flash mob to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the multi-Academy Award-winning 1961 film — with its beloved score by Leonard Bernstein — as 50 dancers recreate Jerome Robbins’s choreography at Times Square’s Duffy Square.

life:

October 18 marks the 50th anniversary of West Side Story, the acclaimed musical about two star-crossed lovers in 1950s New York City and the racial prejudices that keep them apart. In honor of the occasion, LIFE.com takes a look back at the evolution of the show—which made its Broadway debut in 1957 and was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie in 1961—from stage to screen.

(see more — ‘West Side Story’ A Look Back)

Happy 50th Anniversary West Side Story! Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story on the nationally televised A New Yorker’s New Year’s Eve. Check your local listings for PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center. 

West Side Rumble at Lincoln Center!

The Sharks and the Jets made a surprise appearance at Avery Fisher Hall last night to settle things once and for all!

Pictured in front of the big screen following the concert are (L to R): Alexander Bernstein (son of Leonard Bernstein), David Bean (Tiger), Eddie Verso (Juano), Harvey Hohnecker (Mouthpiece), Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Russ Tamblyn (Riff), Walter Mirisch (the producer), Marni Nixon (singing voice of Maria), George Chakiris (Bernardo), Robert Banas (Joyboy), long-time Bernstein friend and collaborator Sid Ramin (arranger for Broadway production and the film), Nina Bernstein-Simmons (daughter of Leonard Bernstein), and David Newman, who conducted the Philharmonic during the evening’s screening. 

Photo by Stephanie Berger.

lincolncenter:

 In this New York Times article, Howard Thompson describes the filming of West Side Story in New York.

Tonight and tomorrow in Avery Fisher Hall at 7.30pm, to celebrate to 50th Anniversary of this iconic film, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying and memorable songs live, while the newly re-mastered film is shown in glorious high-definition on the big screen with original vocals and dialog intact. Not to be missed!

 

  

Tonight, Tonight!

West Side Story starts tonight! The New York Philharmonic will perform Bernstein’s entire score with film for two nights only: September 7 and 8. In this photo, David Newman conducts the Philharmonic in rehearsal at Avery Fisher Hall. Read more about it at nytimes.com.

Orchestrating West Side Story

In this video, Leonard Bernstein’s lifelong friend and collaborator Sid Ramin talks with the composer’s daughter, Jamie, about orchestrating West Side Story both for the Broadway show and the film version. 

This week on September 7 and 8, the New York Philharmonic plays Leonard Bernstein’s entire, electrifying score alongside the Academy Award-winning film for its 50th Anniversary.

Coming to a Concert Hall Near You…

Experience West Side Story on the big screen like you’ve never heard it before, on September 7 and 8. The New York Philharmonic will provide live music to Leonard Bernstein’s score — thanks to an innovative team who has painstakingly removed the music from the original audio tracks — and MGM HD will provide the Academy Award-winning film, freshly remastered for its 50th Anniversary…. Don’t miss it!