Spoken like a true New Yorker: Arthur Laurents and the West Side Story book.

Story and Memories of West Side Story's Bookwriter.

Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green in rehearsal for the stage production ON THE TOWN (1943) by Anonymous The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

In 1949, the film version of the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town had just opened. The musicals' original choreographer Jerome Robbins and composer Leonard Bernstein were interested in collaborating again. Robbins had the idea of adapting the story of Romeo and Juliet into a tragic musical set in contemporary times. The idea excited Bernstein as well, but they needed someone to write the text.

Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents (below ladder), Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert (on ladder) during rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Bernstein and Robbins both admired Arthur Laurents's 1946 play Home of the Brave about a Jewish soldier in World War II who overcomes debilitating self-loathing caused by the antisemitism he has experienced in the military. Like On the Town, the play was adapted into a film version released in 1949 and so was likely fresh in the minds of the theatre community as Robbins and Bernstein were looking for a collaborator. Further, since their Romeo musical then involved a conflict between Jewish and Catholic gangs, Laurents earlier work made him seem the perfect choice to write the libretto.

Arthur Laurent's initial plan for West Side Story Arthur Laurents's plan for West Side Story. Page 1 by Arthur LaurentsOriginal Source: New York Public Library

Laurents wrote a six page "treatment" (plot summary) of West Side Story titled Romeo which was sent to potential collaborators and investors. This copy, found in the papers of the librettist and lyricist team Betty Comden and Aldoph Green at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, includes a note from the pair saying that the show was offered to them, but that they turned it down because they were busy with their musical Bells are Ringing.

Exterior view of Broadway and 40th St. with Empire Theatre (on right) and its rooftop marquee promoting Shirley Booth in the stage production "The Time of the Cuckoo." (1952/1953) The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

The team struggled to make the Catholic/Jewish story work, and, with little forward momentum on Romeo, each started working on other projects. Laurents wrote the 1952 play, The Time of the Cuckoo which had a successful that season on Broadway and was adapted into the 1955 film Summertime. Bernstein wrote his famous score to On The Waterfront which was released in 1954. Laurents and Bernstein met while they were both in Los Angeles and revived the idea of the Romeo musical, this time with a Puerto Rican gang.

Cheryl Crawford letter to Arthur Laurents Cheryl Crawford letter to Arthur Laurents (1957-04-12) The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

As has often happened in the history of musical theatre, as the musical went through a rocky patch in its development, much of the blame was laid on the book. Laurents, however, remained remarkably resolute in his commitment to what he had written (in spite of a great deal of pressure from then producer Cheryl Crawford).

Arthur Laurents at NYPL (2007-09-20) The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

In 2007, on the 50th anniversary of West Side Story, as plans were developing for a new Broadway revival of the musical, Arthur Laurents visited the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and recounted his memories of the show.

Credits: Story

Photos by Martha Swope & Friedman-Abeles
Photos copyright the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Exhibit curated by Doug Reside

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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