Tag Archives: West Side Story

Storytelling Through West Side Story

Lesson for General Music Class: How the writers of West Side Story used music and dance to tell a tragic love story Materials needed: CD player and cast recording of the musical and/or DVD of the film Student objectives: Students can relate the basic story of the musical. Students can list the major characters in […]

Inside the Wonderful Creative World of West Side Story Actor George Chakiris

There’s something very special about interviewing an Academy Award winning performer, especially someone who portrayed such an iconic role on the big screen. It certainly was no exception when I had the opportunity to talk with the incredibly delightful George Chakiris. George is an amazing soft-spoken gentleman – exceptionally gracious to a fault and engaging, […]

Romeo and Juliet: The Importance of Act One, Scene One

West Side Story famously opens with members of the rival gangs crossing paths via jazzy music, snapping fingers, and high jumping, thereby setting the stage for the inevitable rumble between the Jets and the Sharks. West Side Story is a Broadway and Hollywood musical that was based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet and […]

“Siempre” by Il Divo

Il Divo “Siempre” SYCO Music/2006 www.ildivo.com In two short years the international classical pop quartet known as Il Divo has achieved more than many rock bands do in a lifetime. Il Divo which means divine male performer in Italian have released three album internationally and one Christmas album in the US; sold over 13 million […]

Jet Li and Aaliyah in “Romeo Must Die”

“Romeo Must Die” is the “crossover” movie Jet Li chose to make instead of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Despite the well-deserved financial and critical success of Ang Lee’s film, I think that Jet Li made the right choice. Born in 1963, he was (and still is!) too young for the part of the weary wuxia […]