The Broadway classic West Side Story officially opened at the Broadway Theatre on February 6, 2020.
To mark the occasion, footage from the first day of rehearsals was released online. This third Broadway revival keeps the same story as the original, but incorporates stunning new video technology that transforms it into a completely reimagined experience.
Here’s a closer look at the innovative techniques that make this revival unlike any previous production.
West Side Story opened February 6, 2020
The original Broadway premiere was in 1957
Originally premiering in 1957 during Broadway’s “Golden Age,” West Side Story was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and won two, securing its place as one of Broadway’s all-time masterpieces. In 1961, the film adaptation directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins became a worldwide phenomenon, winning 10 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations at the 34th Oscars. The movie not only brought West Side Story to global fame but also helped popularize the musical film genre itself.
First rehearsal footage released
Produced by one of only 15 EGOT winners in history
Until now, media had never been granted access to a West Side Story rehearsal, making this the first time footage from the rehearsal process was publicly released. Among those interviewed was producer Scott Rudin, one of the few individuals to have earned all four major entertainment awards—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). His credits include hit films such as Sister Act, School of Rock, and Revolutionary Road, as well as Broadway productions like The Book of Mormon, Hello, Dolly!, and Passion.
Revolutionary use of live video and stage technology
Unlike any previous production, this revival features a massive LED screen measuring 21 meters wide and 12 meters high spanning the entire back wall of the stage. The screen projects both pre-recorded footage and real-time live video captured during the performance.
To achieve this effect, 25 cameras were installed on stage, and some cast members even use their smartphones to film parts of the performance. This technique creates an unprecedented sense of immediacy, aiming to erase the boundary between the audience and the stage. The entire theater becomes part of the performance—audience and cast together—transforming each show into a one-of-a-kind live event that redefines traditional stage presentation.
Scott Rudin commented, “This is West Side Story as everyone knows it—and yet not. Incorporating this video technology was a challenge that required immense time and resources, but as West Side Story has always been a pioneer in musical theater, we felt it was time to push boundaries once again and make history.”
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