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Black and white photograph of prominent members of the original "West Side Story" production team by Friedman-Abeles photography firm, C0466, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.
Purchased by Steve Gerber in July 2018.
Processing completed by Amanda Brent in January 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in January 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.
"West Side Story" is a musical that premiered on Broadway on September 26, 1957, with music composed by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondeheim, respectively. It was conceived of, directed, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. It was also produced by Harold Prince and Robert E. Griffith. The musical, set on the West Side of New York City, was inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Two rival gangs - the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks - battle for neighborhood dominance while star-crossed lovers from each side, Tony and Maria, fall in love. The musical was a critical and commercial success, and was subsequently adapted into two separate films. "West Side Story" endures as a musical classic and has been revived multiple times on Broadway since its inception.
Friedman-Abeles was a large photography firm in New York City, NY. Founded on the partnership of Leo and Sy Friedman and Joseph Ables, the firm was regularly tasked with photographing Broadway productions and was most successful from the 1950s - 1970s. Friedman-Ables photographed the behind-the-scenes process, as well as official photos, of the original "West Side Story" production.
Black and white photograph of prominent members of the original "West Side Story" production team by the Friedman-Abeles photography firm, printed September 29, 1959, the year of the musical's first U.S. Tour. The photo was originally taken in 1957, during the musical's production. From left to right are: Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Harold Prince, Robert E. Griffith (seated), Leonard Bernstein, and Jerome Robbins. All men had successful careers in the performing arts field. Taped to the verso is an October 4, 1959 news clipping with information about the Chicago premiere of "West Side Story" and the names of the photograph's subjects. It is also stamped with the photography firm's information and pertinent dates.
The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections containing items related to "West Side Story," and musical theatre in general, including the
The New York Public Library's Billy Rose Theatre Division holds a copy of this photograph, as well as others in the same series, which can be viewed
This is a single item collection.
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. "Friedman-Abeles photograph collection." New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 20, 2021. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/friedman-abeles-photograph-collection#/?tab=about&scroll=20.
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. "Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, Robert E. Griffith, Leonard Bernstein, and Jerome Robbins during rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 20, 2021. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/de6f38c0-8357-0134-1212-00505686a51c.
Internet Broadway Database. "West Side Story." The Broadway League. Accessed January 20, 2021. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/west-side-story-2639#ProductionStaff.
Schwarm, Betsy. "West Side Story." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. Accessed January 20, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/West-Side-Story.