Carol Lawrence, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera - West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast)

What is there left to say about this musical, deservedly one of the most famous in the canon? Created by what lyricist Stephen Sondheim described as "a unique concatenation of people" (Leonard Bernstein, Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins), the show remains as explosively vibrant, daring, and modern as it was decades ago. Bernstein integrated Latin percussion and jazz into his electrifying score, dazzlingly translating New York's unique vitality into a musical idiom. West Side Story has been adapted for jazz and interpreted by pop and opera singers, but you owe it to yourself to check out the original version to see what the fuss was all about. This new reissue adds over 20 minutes of "symphonic dances" as well as liner notes and production photos. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

The Standard for All Other WSS Productions

Words cannot describe how beautiful this recording is. WEST SIDE STORY is on my top ten list of my favorite musicals, and deservedly so. As the first musical to truly call performers to be not just singers, but accomplished actors and dancers as well, it was ahead of its time and still seems as fresh and alive today as it did 51 years ago. Its hard to believe that it was passed over for the Tony Award for Best Musical in favor of Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN, a masterpiece in its own right, but to pass over this show today seems almost like heresy. Although the film soundtrack, with its soaring orchestrations, and the 1980 recording, conducted by the great Bernstein himself and featuring well-known opera stars, it is this original soundtrack that captures the show at its most alive. With an excellent cast, featuring the hot Chita Rivera as Anita, her first starring role on Broadway, the wonderful Larry Kert as Tony, in wonderful voice and characterization, and the sublime Carol Lawrence as Maria, in glorious voice with her silvery and sweet soprano, the casting is impeccable. The orchestrations are wonderful, especially considering that pit orchestras for stage shows are never large, and hearing the shouts and vocalizations of the young, exuberant cast during the instrumentals, such as "The Dance At the Gym," make you feel as if the production is happening all around you, which is exactly what a cast recording is supposed to do. Feel free to dabble in other recordings of this landmark show, but I can guarantee that none will match this original cast or their voices and spirit, and when compared to the 1961 film recording, one wonders why anyone would choose those voices over the voices on this recording. Rivera, Kert, Lawrence? You can't go wrong. December 16, 2008

Broadway Classic Every Collector Should Own

This an absolutely fantastic cast recording. No other recording even comes close. Usually some revival cast recordings bring something new and we sometimes even prefer the revival recording but of all the hundreds of cast recordings I own, there is absolutely nothing that tops this album. It is absolutely timeless and a master work. And for the price offered here on Amazon, there is no better deal in town.

Treat yourself to what I think is the absolute BEST Broadway show ever performed by the most talented people in theatre. This was so innovative and different from what we normally saw that it will touch your heart so many times over while even listening to it one time. I can't go too long without listening to this wonderful recording. Bravo to our Beloved Leornard Berstein and Stephen Sondheim for bringing us such a national treasure. Enjoy! July 10, 2008

Satisfying

Having a CD recording of "West Side Story" that is a duplicate of the original 33 1/3 LP record that first delighted me when it was issued shortly after the musical debuted on Broadway is a great pleasure. It is just as I remembered it only better because now I don't have to sit by the turntable to hear it! May 9, 2008

Still the Best

There are several excellent versions of this great show - the familiar film soundtrack and Bernstein's own operatic recording with Te Kanawa and Carreras among them. This original recording, made within hours of opening night in 1957, remains the freshest and most vital, especially in the excellent remastered sound. The click of the flick knife in "The Rumble" is still one of the most electric sounds on record. The bonus of Bernstein's thrilling New York Philharmonic "Symphonic Dances" adds to the attractions of this issue. April 29, 2008

West Side Story

Great musical recording appropriate to the 50's in NYC. Recording is very good but lacks the warm tones of a 33 rpm recording. February 13, 2008

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