At Last, Your Grandfather’s ‘West Side Story’
Aside from the odd stray haircut or tattoo, this is as close to the classic 1957 Broadway production that we are ever going to get.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
||Culture
WILL FRIEDWALD
New York, New York
Will Friedwald is a Contributor for the Sun.
Mr. Friedwald writes about music and popular culture for The New York Sun and other publications. The host of the radio show ‘Sing! Sing! Sing!’ on San Diego KSDS on Saturday mornings, he also is the author of 10 books. He has written more than 600 liner notes for compact discs, received 11 Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and in documentaries.
Latest Articles
Duchess, Greatest Contemporary Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Claims Birdland Royalty
An album by a vocal group is by definition a party of sorts and for their first release since the pandemic, this trio sure throw a swell one.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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The Lasting Musical ‘Might’ of Alan and Marilyn Bergman
A fitting tribute at 92NY to a couple who penned some of the most meaningful love lyrics ever written.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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A Visual Ode to the Vitality of Jazz
Photographer Hank O’Neal tells stories about characters, ranging from Dizzy Gillespie to Hugh Hefner, and Clint Eastwood to Dave Brubeck.
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‘Spider-Noir’ Seeks to Tempt Young Marvel Viewers Into Classic Hollywood’s Web
Nicolas Cage is in old movie heaven, channeling Humphrey Bogart in ‘The Big Sleep,’ as well as James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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Sonny Rollins: An Exceptional Jazzman Who Reached for the Stars
Every time I experienced Sonny live in concert, I invariably came to the conclusion that this was the greatest musician I had ever heard.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
||Culture
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Is the Best Star Wars Movie Since the Original Trilogy
The new film delightfully fleshes out the Disney+ TV series which had its historical roots in Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and Rocket Man.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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Exceptional Jazz on an Exceptionally Long Night
The music at the Jazz Foundation of America’s gala was excellent, even if we often had to wait a long time to get to it.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Smiles on Miles at Centennial Celebration
A fitting tribute to the trailblazing musician who made jazz both more commercial and more avant-garde.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Honors Duke in Grand Style
Founder Wynton Marsalis is leaving the musical organization at a time when it is busier than ever.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
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A Welcome Revival for ‘Carnival,’ the Most Moving Musical Coming-of-Age Story Ever Staged
A compact and trim production of the 1961 Broadway adaptation of ‘Lili,’ about a young girl finding her way through life by interacting with puppets.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
||Culture
Gravity-Defying Musical Spells Cast for the Wizard of Broadway, Stephen Schwartz
A New York Pops Gala included 15 minutes of music from the honoree’s hit show ‘Wicked,’ as well as other selections from his storied songbook.
By WILL FRIEDWALD
||Culture