Watch Something's Coming: West Side Story - A Special Edition of 20/20

Something's Coming: West Side Story - A Special Edition of 20/20 is a documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic musical and film West Side Story. This special edition of ABC's 20/20 celebrates the 60th anniversary of the original Broadway production and the upcoming release of Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated film adaptation.

The documentary features interviews with the cast and crew of both the original production and the upcoming film adaptation. In addition to these interviews, the special also includes archival footage and behind-the-scenes footage from both productions. The interviews cover a range of topics, including the casting process, the challenges of bringing the story to life, and the impact that the musical and film have had on popular culture.

One of the main focuses of the documentary is the original Broadway production of West Side Story, which debuted in 1957. The documentary explores how the show's creators, including composer Leonard Bernstein, playwright Arthur Laurents, and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, brought together the different elements of the production to create a groundbreaking musical that spoke to the social issues of the day. The documentary looks at how the creative team was able to take a classic story, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and adapt it to the gritty streets of 1950s New York City.

The documentary also explores the challenges of casting the original production and the upcoming film adaptation. The cast of the original Broadway production included Larry Kert as Tony, Carol Lawrence as Maria, Chita Rivera as Anita, and Ken LeRoy as Bernardo. The documentary features interviews with these cast members, as well as with the stars of the upcoming film adaptation, which includes Ansel Elgort as Tony and newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria.

Another focus of the documentary is the impact that both the musical and film have had on popular culture. The original production of West Side Story was a critical and commercial success, winning several Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The 1961 film adaptation, which starred Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony, was also a commercial success and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The documentary explores how the musical and film have influenced subsequent generations of artists and performers. Interviews with performers such as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 film, illustrate how West Side Story has influenced their work and inspired them creatively.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are able to see behind-the-scenes footage of both the original Broadway production and the upcoming film adaptation. This footage includes rehearsals, costume fittings, and interviews with the cast and crew. This inside look at the production process provides a unique perspective on how a musical is brought to life on stage and on screen.

Overall, Something's Coming: West Side Story - A Special Edition of 20/20 is a must-watch for fans of the musical and film. The documentary provides a comprehensive look at the making of this iconic production and the impact that it has had on popular culture. The interviews with cast members and creative team members, as well as the behind-the-scenes footage, make this a fascinating and informative documentary for anyone interested in the world of musical theater and film.