I'm so glad I found this video! Thanks for posting it. My dad is Michael Callan, (He went by Mickey Calin back then and played the part of Riff). It's so fun to watch him perform again after all this time. Thanks again!
I know I'm responding to an old post, but I've loved the original cast album since the '70's when I was a young kid, and greatly enjoy your Dad's contribution to it. Wish I could have experienced the whole performance. I've done the show twice, at age 15 as Baby-John, and years after as Lieutenant Schrank (quite a contrast) and they were among the great experiences of my life! Hope all of you are well.
My God, what is wrong with you? They could not possibly be original cast members from 60 yrs ago, they would be 80+ by now. Wait and you then see the originals man.
@@bingovegas4867 I'll be 86 tomorrow and though I wasn't in WSS, I was around and dancing at that time. In 2007, I would have been still able to do these moves and I was in better shape than these guys were, though I was never as good as dancer as they were/are.
HEARTBROKEN to learn today that Michael Callin (Mickey) passed away almost a year ago on October 11, 2022. What a devastating loss for his family and friends. I first saw him in Cat Ballou--he was a scene stealer each time. Then saw clips of him in Bridget Goes Hawaiian. Then saw this clip with him in West Side Story. LOVED his voice--he did not get credit for who and what he was--he created the character type that paved the way for a Bruce Willis type character. Your dad Mickey would have rocked the David role in Moonlighting--your dad was of his time and before his time. 🥲 Thinking of you as his first anniversary nears.
I was Crying my eyes out !! You guys ALL look SOO AMAZING !! Shit i wish I could have made it !! You Done GOOD Buddy Boys !!! I LOVE you ALL !! WOW !!! WHAT an Experience !! Thank you...Thank you....Thank you.....David ( The Original BABY JOHN ) Winters
David Winters, I have admired your role in West Side Story since I was a young boy. To this day, I get a thrill from the entire ensembles ability to successfully marry the street toughs with music and ballet. My everlasting admiration to you and your peers from the play and film.
Thank you SO much for uploading this treasure!! Omigosh what a treat for those young kids to have veterans of the original cast up there!! I would have been overjoyed and thought I'd died and gone to Heaven! :D
A huge West Side Story fan I am so thankful for this upload. How wonderful is it to be able to see some of the original West Side Story cast reunited for this event. Loved the video the whole way through.
Celebratory in the best sense! A hugely enjoyable reminder of how a great musical and its performers can provide ongoing rewards across the years via the creative talents involved. Bravo!
I was also moved to tears. Not just at the times we have lost forever, but at the amazing people who went to make up such an enduring and wonderful phenomena as West Side Story. It remains my all time favourite film ! Favourite everything. X
A treasure of talent to be sure. One thing about WSS : it makes you become a better dancer, a better actor, a better singer, a better musician once you are involved in a production. The material makes you soar! But beware, you may never feel that high in another show... Bit yet...you just might...
What a thrill to see the modern marvel Chita Rivera and the ever-glowing Carol Lawrence and so many other stage veterans among the energizing young hopefuls! This is why I love being an actor and feel so privilaged to trod upon the STAGE. What a wonderful gift to all of us this holiday season.. Michael Taylor Gray
Love this. My college dance teacher, Noel Schwartz, was in the original cast & was there. it was terrific to see him after 30 years had passed. Thank you.
So fabulous! What a treat to see the original cast. I was in the Lincoln Center revival in "68. Played Pauline (one of the Jets) and also understudied Anita. Played her on matinee days and many evening performances. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
So wonderful. I got to meet Chita Rivera once. She was kind and so real. May her soul RIP. When I was 15, I got to portray the role of Anita in a production of "West Side Story," when I was a student member of the organization "Aspira' in New York City. I still remember the lyrics to the songs after all these years. Thank you for posting this incredible video!
what an emotional and amazing tribute to this iconic group! all of us have so many memories of a more innocent time. WSS was such a part of the pop culture. who didnt want "Somewhere"and "tonight"as one of their wedding songs!! Thank you so much for this!!!!I cried and laughed all the way through!!!
WOW!!! West Side Story was my introduction to the musical, the movies and to America back in 1963. It has remained my all time favorite musical. This clip brought a smile to my face, tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart....Thank You
What a special joy to see this! I saw the original production on Broadway in 1957 with Carole Lawrence, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera. Tony Mordente, etc. I've seen many shows since but that was my first ever Broadway show and nothing was able to top it...not even Phantom or Fiddler!!
You may recognize, Harvey Evans (Mouthpiece- Jet)Tony Mordente(Action-Jet)Carole D'Andrea( Wilma Ice’s girl)and Gina Tricones(Graziella Riff’s orange haired girl) from 1961. Thank you for sharing this gem with us.
Thanks so much for this amazing video I dreamed of seeing. One of my Broadway idols/divas is Chita Rivera. I’m so happy to see her not only as Anita, but to perform with her cast mates from the original West Side Story. @skippershe, your father is still badass as Riff in this video. Every single cast member in this video, are all inspirations to me, for as long as I live, I continue to sing, act (if I can find the opportunity to do that again) and dance, plus every single talent I can do. I’m getting teary eyed. Damn waterworks! 😭
this was great, I remember watching this as a kid, and never fully understanding it, until a few years ago, while going through separation from my husband(mixed marriage) but pain is pain...so my hat is off to the characters of Tony/Maria, it still happens today, God help them...anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this peace :)
I worked on the 1980 revival, and many of the original cast and creators were around to help put it together. Thank your for posting this. It made me weep.
I Love to see them back on stage , The greatest musical and choreographies I've ever seen , real dancers , I haven't seen anything better than them.....
I LOVE THIS!!!!! Thank you AO MUCH for posting it!!!!! I played Maria in one of our local productions, and this brings back some of my fondest memories!!! :-)
This was so beautiful to watch. Really, tear inducing. Carol Lawrence, of course, is amazing, but Chita! Wow! I liked Rita Moreno, but Chita had that power. I wish I could have seen her in the stage version. The others were amazing, too.
David, me too it is very touch. It was wonderful days and good shows. I never thought that I could see this footages today. I thank you for Francis who donated of this footage. 思い出がよみがえるフッテージでした。思い出がろ人は本当に幸せなんだなあと感じると共に感謝しています。舞台のオリジナルは本当によかったですよ。
Francis, what a total blessing it must have been to have been involved with this. I can't think of a higher pinnacle in theatre than getting to perform (even at a rehearsal with no audience) with original Broadway cast members of West Side Story. Holy moley, this was good. Thanks for posting it.
I just watched this and OH My Goodness!! It brights tears to my eyes because I brings back so many fond memories of my time when WSS was my First High school musical. Such A GREAT VIDEO. Thank you so very much for uploading this. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I was 16 years old in 1959, and my then boyfriend(now husband) took me to see West Side Story on Broadway(my first musical). I remember it as if it was yesterday. What memories!
That was really good!!! Wish I could have been there for this in real life! I had forgotten about how great west side story was, not having watched it in years! I love all the music, they’re clicking of their fingers, them moving around and dancing, as though they were in a gang, portraying that… Thank you to any & at all here on this UA-cam video!!! Very good!
I worked with Lee Theodore at American Dance Machine. We did this choreography every Thursday in class....it is still so thrilling to see and hear...I met Chita once at a play my friend wrote...only time I was "star struck". I introduced my self. She was so generous and kind
This is fabulous! Merci mille fois d'avoir partagé cette video inestimable. There is so much pure CRAP on UA-cam that it's truly refreshing to find a valuable historical document such as this video. Thank you again!
Chita! My drama teacher came rushing towards me this morning with delight written on her face to talk about this. Thanks a lot for posting (and congrats for being apart of it), it's really appreciated.
This is unbelievable, and i would be in tears of joy if i would to ever sing again with the people in our production at school, its only been about 2 months... but its been decades for them imagine how they feel!
I was lucky to have had the privilege to work the first touring company when it came to San Francisco way back when... Larry Kirk was Tony and Carol Lawrence was Maria... What a magnificent show it was and still is.... This video has original members of the cast working with some new members of a current cast.
Just ran across this video. I've always thought this, but now I know it's true: No one ever really leaves the Theater once you've been bitten. Thank you.
Oh, memories! Ernest Castaldo (Castle), my late singing teacher and mentor, was personally chosen by Leonard Bernstein to sing in the original cast . Most cast members were dancers. Ernie eventually played Maria's brother. He absolutely adored Chita Rivera's amazing talent, and when Chita was on stage, he always watched from the wings. I share his reaction. Chita is always so vibrant and alive on stage. I was very moved to see this video, but only wish Ernie could have been a part of it. And yes, I also wish that they could have taped those original rehearsals and the show itself. But still - kudos to all!
AAAAHHHH Amazing video!!!! I'm making a magazine on musical theater (stupid project) and while doing research I stumbled on this video and I love it! It's so hard to find footage of the actors from the original cast.
Just incredible! Carol Lawrence and Chita Rivera! Together! WOW.
I cried when Chita passed away
I'm so glad I found this video! Thanks for posting it. My dad is Michael Callan, (He went by Mickey Calin back then and played the part of Riff). It's so fun to watch him perform again after all this time. Thanks again!
And he was good as Jane Fonda's romantic interest in the film Cat Ballou (1965).
I know I'm responding to an old post, but I've loved the original cast album since the '70's when I was a young kid, and greatly enjoy your Dad's contribution to it. Wish I could have experienced the whole performance. I've done the show twice, at age 15 as Baby-John, and years after as Lieutenant Schrank (quite a contrast) and they were among the great experiences of my life! Hope all of you are well.
and they were among the great experiences of my life! Hope all of you are well. (Lost the end of my comment on the last one, somehow.)
No way! Wow! I can see his younger face in my mind!
Mickey Calin is my cousin!
😮I have been in love with Mickey 😊Callen for so many years. I would love to meet him.
My goodness,the original cast members still have the moves.Some things don't grow old.
My God, what is wrong with you? They could not possibly be original cast members from 60 yrs ago, they would be 80+ by now. Wait and you then see the originals man.
Carol and Chita from original Broadway cast, extraordinary!
What?
@@bingovegas4867 I'll be 86 tomorrow and though I wasn't in WSS, I was around and dancing at that time. In 2007, I would have been still able to do these moves and I was in better shape than these guys were, though I was never as good as dancer as they were/are.
It was a privilege to watch this.
I have real tears in my eyes.
How thrilling it must have been for all involved.
Me too
So great to see Tony Mordente; Arab on Broadway, Action in the movie. Wonderful choreographer for years.
RIP. Lovely Chita Rivera. 1933-2024.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS. I AM OVERWHELMED. TEARS, TEARS AND MORE TEARS! ESPECIALLY THE MAMBO 💃🏿🕺🏿
This was wonderful to see. Chita can really dance at her age.
I cannot stop watching this!!! OMG!!! I love these people...
HEARTBROKEN to learn today that Michael Callin (Mickey) passed away almost a year ago on October 11, 2022. What a devastating loss for his family and friends. I first saw him in Cat Ballou--he was a scene stealer each time. Then saw clips of him in Bridget Goes Hawaiian. Then saw this clip with him in West Side Story. LOVED his voice--he did not get credit for who and what he was--he created the character type that paved the way for a Bruce Willis type character. Your dad Mickey would have rocked the David role in Moonlighting--your dad was of his time and before his time. 🥲 Thinking of you as his first anniversary nears.
And then there was CHITA!!! AMEN!!!! Thank the Gods of song & dance for this true woman of the craft. Her legend is worthy.
Chita Rivera was the Broadway Maria, she did a WSS in London where I saw her, since then have seen this countless times, 40-50.
Carol Lawrence was the original Broadway Maria.
Tuula Westra wasn’t she Anita?
I was Crying my eyes out !! You guys ALL look SOO AMAZING !! Shit i wish I could have made it !! You Done GOOD Buddy Boys !!! I LOVE you ALL !! WOW !!! WHAT an Experience !! Thank you...Thank you....Thank you.....David ( The Original BABY JOHN ) Winters
david winters good job
David Winters, I have admired your role in West Side Story since I was a young boy. To this day, I get a thrill from the entire ensembles ability to successfully marry the street toughs with music and ballet. My everlasting admiration to you and your peers from the play and film.
rip :(
my gosh..look at these wonderful dancers!!! I'm awestruck
I will always love West Side Story!!!
Now if only Larry Kert were still alive for that...
Agreed
This is one of the most valuable things on UA-cam! THANK YOU for posting it.
Oh gosh... Dancing in that room at Actor's Equity on CARPET no less! Amazing! It is like watching family dancing at home!
Thank you SO much for uploading this treasure!! Omigosh what a treat for those young kids to have veterans of the original cast up there!! I would have been overjoyed and thought I'd died and gone to Heaven! :D
A huge West Side Story fan I am so thankful for this upload. How wonderful is it to be able to see some of the original West Side Story cast reunited for this event. Loved the video the whole way through.
thecatman4ever. I have loved west side story since I was 9 years old in 1961.
Celebratory in the best sense! A hugely enjoyable reminder of how a great musical
and its performers can provide ongoing rewards across the years via the creative
talents involved. Bravo!
I was also moved to tears. Not just at the times we have lost forever, but at the amazing people who went to make up such an enduring and wonderful phenomena as West Side Story. It remains my all time favourite film ! Favourite everything. X
This is thrilling. Talent is timeless.
OMG I am crying here. That was awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, the tears. A reminder of how much I miss Larry and Tucker....
Me too
A treasure of talent to be sure.
One thing about WSS : it makes you become a better dancer, a better actor, a better singer, a better musician once you are involved in a production.
The material makes you soar! But beware, you may never feel that high in another show... Bit yet...you just might...
What a thrill to see the fun was still there with the original cast
We will never again see anything like this in our lifetime. Simply breathtaking.
The guys killed it. Spot on!😂🎉❤
What a thrill to see the modern marvel Chita Rivera and the ever-glowing Carol Lawrence and so many other stage veterans among the energizing young hopefuls! This is why I love being an actor and feel so privilaged to trod upon the STAGE.
What a wonderful gift to all of us this holiday season..
Michael Taylor Gray
Love this. My college dance teacher, Noel Schwartz, was in the original cast & was there. it was terrific to see him after 30 years had passed. Thank you.
So fabulous! What a treat to see the original cast. I was in the Lincoln Center revival in "68. Played
Pauline (one of the Jets) and also understudied Anita. Played her on matinee days and many evening performances. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
So wonderful. I got to meet Chita Rivera once. She was kind and so real. May her soul RIP. When I was 15, I got to portray the role of Anita in a production of "West Side Story," when I was a student member of the organization "Aspira' in New York City. I still remember the lyrics to the songs after all these years. Thank you for posting this incredible video!
what an emotional and amazing tribute to this iconic group! all of us have so many memories of a more innocent time. WSS was such a part of the pop culture. who didnt want "Somewhere"and "tonight"as one of their wedding songs!! Thank you so much for this!!!!I cried and laughed all the way through!!!
I would have paid ANYTHING to be in the audience at this event. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! 💕
Wow! What an exciting event. Congratulations on having been part of something so historical!
my heart just lifted to the stars
Tears! Beautiful and timeless! Thank you for this.
Thank you for posting this video. For those of us who can't make it to BC/EFA it is great to have a chance to see this tribute.
It must be the most ENERGETIC show ever produced...! The music and dancing are phenomenal!
WOW!!! West Side Story was my introduction to the musical, the movies and to America back in 1963. It has remained my all time favorite musical.
This clip brought a smile to my face, tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart....Thank You
Hay Dios MIO!!!!!!!!Can't get over it. BEAUTIFUL. Oh yes, I DID CRY
That must have been a blast!! So glad you had that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with the original cast. :)
FRANCIS! AMAZING! I was at the show today and was in tears the whole time...especially the finale, how wonderful!!
Take care, Amy
Outstanding. Thanks. I spotted Tony Mordente immediately. Smallest guy there, but one of the few holdovers from the stage play to the movie.
And Carole D'Andrea
What a special joy to see this! I saw the original production on Broadway in 1957 with Carole Lawrence, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera. Tony Mordente, etc. I've seen many shows since but that was my first ever Broadway show and nothing was able to top it...not even Phantom or Fiddler!!
You may recognize, Harvey Evans (Mouthpiece- Jet)Tony Mordente(Action-Jet)Carole D'Andrea( Wilma Ice’s girl)and Gina Tricones(Graziella Riff’s orange haired girl) from 1961. Thank you for sharing this gem with us.
I never saw the B'way play but the movie is an all time favorite! How wonderful to see these people relive their moments in the spotlight.
WOW! THANKS FOR THE POSTING! 😀!
Thanks so much for this amazing video I dreamed of seeing. One of my Broadway idols/divas is Chita Rivera. I’m so happy to see her not only as Anita, but to perform with her cast mates from the original West Side Story. @skippershe, your father is still badass as Riff in this video. Every single cast member in this video, are all inspirations to me, for as long as I live, I continue to sing, act (if I can find the opportunity to do that again) and dance, plus every single talent I can do. I’m getting teary eyed. Damn waterworks! 😭
Who ever put this togethet, i thank you.
this was great, I remember watching this as a kid, and never fully understanding it, until a few years ago, while going through separation from my husband(mixed marriage) but pain is pain...so my hat is off to the characters of Tony/Maria, it still happens today, God help them...anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this
peace :)
I just love this! And so do my friends that I pass it on to. They've still got what it takes!
I worked on the 1980 revival, and many of the original cast and creators were around to help put it together. Thank your for posting this. It made me weep.
Thanks for the unforgettable and wonderful memories !!!
I Love to see them back on stage , The greatest musical and choreographies I've ever seen , real dancers , I haven't seen anything better than them.....
Wow. I didn't expect to cry! This was amazing, brilliant and touching. Thank you so much for sharing it
So wonderful...Chita was 74 here...SEVEN FOUR! Love that she is carrying on conversions while dancing like no thought whatsoever! LOL
Chita has always been my idol
I LOVE THIS!!!!! Thank you AO MUCH for posting it!!!!! I played Maria in one of our local productions, and this brings back some of my fondest memories!!! :-)
Thank you so much for posting this… What a treasure!!!!
This was so beautiful to watch. Really, tear inducing. Carol Lawrence, of course, is amazing, but Chita! Wow! I liked Rita Moreno, but Chita had that power. I wish I could have seen her in the stage version. The others were amazing, too.
David, me too it is very touch. It was wonderful days and good shows. I never thought that I could see this footages today. I thank you for Francis who donated of this footage. 思い出がよみがえるフッテージでした。思い出がろ人は本当に幸せなんだなあと感じると共に感謝しています。舞台のオリジナルは本当によかったですよ。
My favorite musical. “Somewhere” has been my favorite song since the 1961 movie.
Love the score.
Francis, what a total blessing it must have been to have been involved with this. I can't think of a higher pinnacle in theatre than getting to perform (even at a rehearsal with no audience) with original Broadway cast members of West Side Story. Holy moley, this was good. Thanks for posting it.
I just watched this and OH My Goodness!! It brights tears to my eyes because I brings back so many fond memories of my time when WSS was my First High school musical. Such A GREAT VIDEO. Thank you so very much for uploading this. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wow, I just found this and am watching with a HUGE smile on my face. This wonderful!!
And watching with tears in my eyes...
It's really wonderful..
I was 16 years old in 1959, and my then boyfriend(now husband) took me to see West Side Story on Broadway(my first musical). I remember it as if it was yesterday. What memories!
@@madelinepearl7473 That's amazing!
That was really good!!! Wish I could have been there for this in real life! I had forgotten about how great west side story was, not having watched it in years! I love all the music, they’re clicking of their fingers, them moving around and dancing, as though they were in a gang, portraying that… Thank you to any & at all here on this UA-cam video!!! Very good!
I worked with Lee Theodore at American Dance Machine. We did this choreography every Thursday in class....it is still so thrilling to see and hear...I met Chita once at a play my friend wrote...only time I was "star struck". I introduced my self. She was so generous and kind
Wow! Chita is fantastic!!!💃❤
I'm crying right now. Seriously.
I love her
How can you not love that?
OMG! That was amazing! They were fantastic. 60-70 years old!! I hope I'm that fab at that age. WOW!!
THIS IS THE GREATEST VIDEO I’VE EVER SEEN!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING!!!
Yup, they've STILL got it, especially Chita :)
This is fabulous! Merci mille fois d'avoir partagé cette video inestimable. There is so much pure CRAP on UA-cam that it's truly refreshing to find a valuable historical document such as this video. Thank you again!
This is wonderful. How thrilling to be a part of such a wonderful event!
Chita!
My drama teacher came rushing towards me this morning with delight written on her face to talk about this.
Thanks a lot for posting (and congrats for being apart of it), it's really appreciated.
Fantastic! A thousand thanks for posting.
If only Larry Kert had still been around to share in this magnificent tribute.
We're the greatest! We're Jets!! To all the cast.
This is unbelievable, and i would be in tears of joy if i would to ever sing again with the people in our production at school, its only been about 2 months... but its been decades for them imagine how they feel!
I fell in love with this show at 10 years old. I’m still in love today. Thank you for this marvelous video!
Thank you sooo much for posting this! Sor terrific!
Wow, it's amazing how great they sound at their ages!
I was lucky to have had the privilege to work the first touring company when it came to San Francisco way back when... Larry Kirk was Tony and Carol Lawrence was Maria... What a magnificent show it was and still is.... This video has original members of the cast working with some new members of a current cast.
Rating? This one is off the charts!!
Touching.
1957...Philly...a friend plays me the album. I'm in love at 16. This video is wonderful.
Just ran across this video. I've always thought this, but now I know it's true: No one ever really leaves the Theater once you've been bitten. Thank you.
Oh, memories! Ernest Castaldo (Castle), my late singing teacher and mentor, was personally chosen by Leonard Bernstein to sing in the original cast . Most cast members were dancers. Ernie eventually played Maria's brother. He absolutely adored Chita Rivera's amazing talent, and when Chita was on stage, he always watched from the wings. I share his reaction. Chita is always so vibrant and alive on stage. I was very moved to see this video, but only wish Ernie could have been a part of it. And yes, I also wish that they could have taped those original rehearsals and the show itself. But still - kudos to all!
Terrific that was an amazing video, and thats what youtube is for, thanks for posting, that was truly moment that couldn't have been lost
Simply MARVELLOUS!!!!! Thank you SO much for posting!!! :) :) :)
@ first I thought it was the Original original...but this was better... Thank you for posting.
AAAAHHHH Amazing video!!!! I'm making a magazine on musical theater (stupid project) and while doing research I stumbled on this video and I love it! It's so hard to find footage of the actors from the original cast.
WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE!!!!! NO DRY EYES!!!
It was so cool seeing the originals! sigh
My favorite musical I love it I know all musical numbers and dialogue
Truly talented in a truly musical masterpiece!!!
Performing with them would be a dream come true!
This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful tribute.
Thank you so much for sharing this! It's such a monumental event to have on film!
That was absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!