West Side Story School Edition

MTI released West Side Story School Edition for licensing by high schools and amateur groups on September 26, 2018 to coincide with the show’s 61st anniversary of its opening night on Broadway which took place on September 26, 1957.

With additional resources for students and directors, West Side Story School Edition makes the iconic musical even more accessible and meaningful for high school performers and, in all respects, their audiences.

MTI’s School Editions are author-approved versions of classic musicals slightly altered for content, simplifying difficult production aspects and musical or choreographic elements, making them more educationally-appropriate for high schools. West Side Story School Edition is the sixth MTI musical adapted for high school directors and performers, joining a collection that includes Les Miserables School Edition, RENT School Edition, Ragtime School Edition, Sweeney Todd School Edition and Avenue Q School Edition.

“We created MTI’s School Editions to help realize our overall educational mission of making musical theatre accessible to as many organizations as possible,” said MTI’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Education and Development, John Prignano.  “In the case of West Side Story, re-creating Robbins' groundbreaking choreography and playing Bernstein's gorgeous score has been a consistent challenge for high school performers and directors trying to mount the show. West Side Story School Edition is a response to feedback from teachers that will remove these obstacles, in part by providing an official Choreography Manual and videos featuring step-by-step instructions for all of the show's iconic dance numbers.”

West Side Story School Edition includes an official Choreography Manual and videos featuring easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for all of the show's iconic dance numbers. The educationally-appropriate videos highlight students from all over the world under the supervision of Jerome Robbins expert Julio Monge.

Guide Vocal Tracks sung by student performers are included as digital downloadable files with a license, while Performance Accompaniment Tracks playable through the MTI Player app are available as an additional resource for schools without access to an orchestra.

The Director's Guide includes suggestions and solutions for sets, props, costumes, staging and more. In addition, the Enhanced Study Guide provides in-depth analysis of the show's themes, major moments and historical context.

“MTI has been privileged to represent what is widely considered one of the greatest musical theatre works ever created,” stated Drew Cohen, MTI’s President and CEO.  “While West Side Story has always been and remains an iconic and perennially popular musical, it presented certain challenges for high school theatre programs.  We were fortunate to have the support of the rightsholders and a brilliant team in bringing this adaptation to life for the amateur market.  We hope that West Side Story School Edition enables thousands more young performers, crew members and audiences around the world to experience this phenomenal musical as it was meant to be seen and heard.”

More Info

Please contact Music Theater International for licensing information:
US Tel: (212) 541-4684
Europe Tel: 44 + (0)20 7580 2827
Australasia Tel: +61 3 9581 2222