Search - Cast of Broadway Show :: West Side Story

When it comes to a definitive version of the legendary Bernstein/Sondheim musical, it's a toss-up between this stark document of the 1957 original production and the 1962 glossy film version. The latter won nine Oscars as opposed to the Broadway production's single Tony Award (for choreography!). Still, this probably deserves the nod, because: (a) some aficionados believe Larry Kert's performance as Tony is the best of all that followed; and (b) unlike the film version--see Natalie Wood--there's no "ghost" singing here, with this version creating two genuine stars: Carol Lawrence (now mostly forgotten, but Mrs. Robert Goulet during the '60s) and Chita Rivera (replaced in the film by Rita Moreno, creating confusion between the two actresses in most people's minds ever since). The music is always timeless. --Bill Holdship