1. Leonard Bernstein
Stephen Sondheim

2. Bernstein & Sondheim Born Aug. 25, 1918 in Lawrence, MA
Born into a Ukrainian-Jewish family
Started learning piano at age 10
Studied music at Harvard
One of first American conductors to achieve world-wide fame
Died Oct. 14, 1990
Born March 22, 1930 in NYC to Jewish family
After his parents’ divorce, he was mentored by Bernstein
Graduated magna cum laude from Williams College in Williamstown, MA

3. Bernstein & Sondheim
Awards – 9 Grammy Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Award, and many more
Wrote music for West Side Story
Awards - an Academy Award, 8 Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award
Wrote lyrics for West Side Story

4. West Side Story Setting of Romeo & Juliet in 1950’s New York
The conflict with the Capulets & Montagues is replaced with the gangs, the Sharks & the Jets
Comparison of “West Side Story” to “Romeo & Juliet” -
Tony, a member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks
Songs – “Maria,” “Tonight,” “America,” and “I Feel Pretty”
Won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture