Through West Side Story, Steven Spielberg Remembering Stephen Sondheim

West Side Story

JAKARTA - Director Steven Spielberg remembers his colleague and American musical theater legend Stephen Sondheim, who passed away some time ago. Spielberg remembers Sondheim as a person who had a huge impact through his music and song lyrics.

This inspired him to bring back the iconic '50s stage musical and film, "West Side Story", into a new format. "Steve (Sondheim) was the first person I met when I was looking for the rights to make our version of 'West Side Story'. He was the first person I sat and met at his place in New York City in person. We've also met before because of the company. I made 'Sweeney Todd'," Spielberg said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, December 4.

The "Jaws" (1975) director said he and Sondheim had also met at the screening of the film "Sweeney Todd," and had also seen each other at the White House when they both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, along with Barbra Streisand.

"I remember every time I met Steve I wanted to say to Steve I had the urge to do my version of 'West Side Story', and I didn't, I couldn't get the words out of my mouth," recalls Spielberg.

As time went on, he finally had the courage and met with Sondheim to discuss his plans for adapting "West Side Story".

"Steve was very involved. He was very involved in commenting on Tony's script (Kushner, scriptwriter)," Spielberg said. The filmmaker of "Jurassic Park" (1993) also added that Sondheim was also involved in the pre-recording process with the artists and singers involved in "West Side Story" which aired this year.

"And Steve was there for three weeks, five days a week, every day sitting right next to me in the recording studio. And it was an honor to share that moment."

Apart from his moments with Sondheim, Spielberg also admitted that he had a lot of fun during the production of the musical. He said that he felt young again like a child because he joined in singing and dancing with the players.

"At that moment, I felt the childish side of me just come out. We were so affected, it was like life in the air, life between song and dance made by genius choreographer Justin Peck. It was the most enjoyable moment," she said.

Meanwhile, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalry and youthful love in 1957 New York City. This adaptation of a Broadway musical starring Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (Maria); Ariana De Bose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff).

Furthermore, Josh Andrés Rivera (China); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d'Arcy James (Krupke Officer); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, the owner of the shop where Tony works).