Visionary director Steven Spielberg has revealed that he’s been wanting to adapt lyrics written by the late Stephen Sondheim. Based on Romeo and Juliet, the original stage musical opened on Broadway in 1957 and was first adapted to film in 1961 by directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. West Side Story is set in 1950s New York and follows a forbidden romance between two teenagers who are tied to rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks.
The latest film adaptation stars Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler in her feature film debut as Maria. West Side Story is Spielberg’s first-ever musical project, and as the original film adaption remains beloved and critically acclaimed, the stakes were high for this new version. Fortunately, it appears to be living up to the hype, as West Side Story has received glowing reviews across the board praising the cast, Spielberg’s direction, and its faithfulness to the original stage musical.
Now, Spielberg has revealed just how long he has been a fan of West Side Story. In an interview with before he made his own adaptation. Read his full response below:
“You know, I've asked that question to myself many, many times, because it was always West Side Story I wanted to do. Since I was 10 and listened to the original Broadway cast album, right up ’til I saw the ’61 movie – the brilliant, inimitable classic by Robert Wise and Jerry Robbins – and right through the stage productions I've seen over the years, it's just been my favorite musical, and the music has been in my life, all my life.”
Spielberg went on to emphasize that sharing West Side Story with his children was important for him, too and it's clear that his enduring love for the source material is what helped make his adaptation such a roaring success. The fact that Spielberg has such an emotional connection to the film makes the whole experience better both for the audience and for the director himself.
Spielberg’s affection for West Side Story proves that he was the right director to take on the monumental task of creating a well-received remake. Many thought it was pointless to revisit the musical because such a perfect film adaptation already existed, but the overwhelmingly positive reviews for West Side Story suggest that Spielberg should never be underestimated. Regardless of genre, the director seems to be able to put stories on screen that resonate with everyone.
Source: Empire
