Tonight Tonight, It’s West Side Story Night

Alternative title: Something’s Coming From West Side to World Wide
Synopsis: Radio documentary. As part of a three-hour tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bernstein’s musical, two documentary programmes look at the origins of the musical, how it made its way to Broadway, and how the stage show and movie musical have continued to influence generations.
SOMETHING’S COMING features Chita Rivera’s (who originated the role of Anita) recalling the story behind the musical from its inception to its opening night. Interviewees include book writer Arthur Laurents, orchestrator Sid Ramin, Jamie and Nina Bernstein, Carol Lawrence (Maria), and theatre critic John Lahr. In FROM WEST SIDE TO WORLDWIDE stage and TV star John Barrowman explores the legacy of the musical that took on a new life as a multi award-winning movie classic. Contributors include George Chakiris (Bernardo); Rita Moreno (Anita in the film); Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing voice of Natalie Wood; Sid Ramin, Humphrey Burton, Bernstein’s biographer; and Freddie Gershon who is in charge of licensing productions of West Side Story around the world. Voices from the archive include the film’s co-director Robert Wise and Leonard Bernstein.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 21 Sep 2007 at 19:00 (Channel: BBC Radio 2)
Duration: 180 (total running time)

Producer: Emma Kingsley
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Contributor: Arthur Laurentis; Carol Lawrence; Chita Rivera; Freddie Gershon; George Chakiris; Humphrey Burton; John Barrowman; John Lahr; Marni Nixon; Rita Moreno; Robert Wise; Sid Ramin

History: The two radio documentaries were broadcast as part of the 50th anniversary of Bernstein’s musical theatre that opened on Broadway on 29 September 1957.
SOMETHING’S COMING was transmitted from 19:00-19:30.
FROM WEST SIDE TO WORLDWIDE was transmitted from 21:15-22:00.
Reviews: Radio Times, 15-21 September 2007, p. 120-121.

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