West side story snapping. Snapping of Fingers as a Symbol in West Side Story 2022-10-17

West side story snapping Rating: 8,9/10 1690 reviews

West Side Story is a classic musical that tells the story of two rival gangs in New York City, the Jets and the Sharks, and their struggle for control of the streets. The musical, which was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, features a talented cast of actors and dancers who bring the story to life through their singing, dancing, and acting. One of the most iconic elements of West Side Story is the snapping that occurs throughout the show.

The snapping in West Side Story is a form of nonverbal communication used by the Jets and Sharks to express their feelings and convey messages to one another. It is a quick, sharp movement in which the fingers are snapped together, and it is often accompanied by a brief spoken phrase or word. The snapping serves as a way for the gang members to show their solidarity and support for each other, as well as a way to communicate their intentions and challenges to their rivals.

The snapping in West Side Story is also a key element of the choreography and staging of the show. It is used to punctuate the music and add an extra layer of energy and excitement to the performance. The snapping adds to the overall sense of tension and conflict between the Jets and Sharks, and helps to convey the intensity and passion of the characters.

In addition to being an important part of the storytelling and choreography of West Side Story, the snapping has also become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Many people are familiar with the snapping from the movie version of the musical, which was released in 1961 and starred Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as Maria and Tony, the two young lovers at the center of the story. The snapping in the movie has been imitated and parodied countless times over the years, and it has become an iconic part of popular culture.

Overall, the snapping in West Side Story is an integral part of the musical's appeal and enduring legacy. It adds energy and excitement to the performances, and helps to convey the emotions and motivations of the characters. Whether you are a fan of musical theater or just enjoy a good story, West Side Story is a must-see show that is sure to entertain and inspire.

Snapping of Fingers as a Symbol in West Side Story

west side story snapping

Anita prepares for a romantic evening with Bernardo. From the opening shots and scenes, West Side Story hooks you and refuses to let go even after the credits begin to roll. It is a reminder that violence escalates, and volatile situations are not cured by fighting. We actually witness the two go on a date, we see them disagree, make up, and grow closer. Bernstein had decided he needed to concentrate solely on the music, and he and Robbins had invited Saturday Night had been scrapped. You can help by May 2019 As in Romeo and Juliet, the love between members of two rival groups in West Side Story leads to violent confrontations "and a tragic ending with an underlying message: Violence breeds violence, so make peace and learn to share turf". Most recently was the 2021 West Side Story reboot, directed by Steven Speilberg — which, so far since its release date on December 10, 2021,.


Next

West Side Story: Anita, blue, and snapping

west side story snapping

The Sharks are recent Puerto Rican immigrants that face hardship and discrimination on all sides, from struggles getting hired and finding housing to not being able to rely on the police to keep them safe. West Side Story has always been somewhat of an anomaly, walking the line between grit and r ealism while also featuring a sweeping score composed This, along with the one above, were the primary posters for the movie, though character posters were released as well. Retrieved January 12, 2022. Had it been their mother talking to the boy at the bottom of the stairwell, there would have undoubtedly be more of an emotional response from the woman as Bernardo was her child as well. He later turned to directing some of his own shows and other Broadway productions.


Next

Five Things You Never Knew about West Side Story

west side story snapping

Retrieved February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2019. When Tony arrives, Maria insists that he must stop the fight altogether, which he agrees to do. In spite of her attempts to conceal it, Anita sees that Tony has been with Maria, and launches an angry tirade against him " Doc relates the news to Tony, who has been dreaming of heading to the countryside to have children with Maria. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States to receive worldwide acclaim.

Next

The story behind the lost neighborhood where ‘West Side Story’ is set

west side story snapping

Feeling Pretty: West Side Story and U. However, she is unable to bring herself to fire the gun and drops it, crying in grief. Only after he completed it did the group realize it was little more than a musicalization of themes that had already been covered in plays like In 1955, theatrical producer Serenade, about an opera singer who comes to the realization he is homosexual, and he invited Laurents to write the book. . He famously directed the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsystarring Patti LuPone and the 2009 revival of West Side Story, which featured dialogue and lyrics translated into Spanish by Lin-Manuel Miranda. What race are the Jets in West Side Story? This song accompanies a ballet that depicts the dreams of a better life they both yearn to have. Who sang the songs in the new West Side Story? Riff and Bernardo agree to meet for a War Council at Doc's, a drug store which is considered neutral ground, but meanwhile, an infatuated and happy Tony finds Maria's building and serenades her outside her bedroom " The Jets get antsy while waiting for the Sharks inside Doc's drugstore.

Next

What is the snapping song in West Side Story?

west side story snapping

Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story. As a composer, Bernstein wrote in many styles, encompassing symphonic and orchestral music; ballet, film, and theater music; choral works, opera, chamber music, and pieces for the piano. Robbins kept the cast members playing the Sharks and the Jets separate in order to discourage them from socializing with each other and reminded everyone of the reality of gang violence by posting news stories on the bulletin board backstage. Given the connection to Shakespeare, why do you think Sondheim chose these words? They almost are, but Anita is singing a countermelody to the chorus that is slightly lower and rises and falls in different ways. Eisenhower to the left of the podium at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Lincoln Square project in 1959. Instead of receiving 2% of the lyric royalties, Sondheim thus retained his original 1%.

Next

West Side Story learning resources

west side story snapping

West Side Story will make you believe in movies again". Tony goes to the dance, where he meets Maria. Puerto Rican immigration to the U. What does Tony say to Maria in Spanish? This is also true of the Jets, whom I kept hoping would make better decisions. . Only a few moments afterwards we hear voices: "¡Mamá, Mamá! Retrieved February 23, 2020.


Next

‘West Side Story’ Was Originally About Jews and Catholics

west side story snapping

This release includes the CD as well as the DVD for the associated documentary. Retrieved December 25, 2019. . Among the numerous stage productions he worked on were On the Town, Peter Pan, High Button Shoes, The King and I, The Pajama Game, Bells Are Ringing, West Side Story, Gypsy, and Fiddler on the Roof. This is a bold new kind of musical theatre — a juke-box Manhattan opera.

Next

West Side Story

west side story snapping

When the knives come out, and bodies begin to fly wildly through space under buttermilk clouds, the sheer visual excitement is breathtaking. The show was nearly complete in the fall of 1956, but almost everyone on the creative team needed to fulfill other commitments first. The other half miss Puerto Rico, the city of San Juan, and their families. Throughout the entire movie, Tony wears clothes that are blue, but they are always paired differently. All her energy radiates and seeps onto everyone around her, bringing them hope as well. The New York Times.

Next

West Side Story (1961)

west side story snapping

Did you know that in 3. It's very beatnik — dig those crazy sounds Daddy-O! Lawrence, Massachusetts, August 25, 1918; d. Retrieved March 25, 2019. There are some rhythmic variations in the accompaniment, though. When we first see The Jets in the playground as they are snapping their fingers to the music, it is very bright and their shadows face towards the screen, but when they cut to the next shot as they start walking and the camera moves behind the fence, the sunlight is not the same as the scene is not as bright and even the shadows positions are different, pointing away from the screen.

Next