West Side Story 50th Anniversary Event

This unprecedented opportunity allows audiences to enjoy every sensational song and dazzling dance number in this cinematic masterpiece, which originally won a stunning 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 1961.

The West Side Story 50th Anniversary Event will open with an exciting new TCM original production featuring a discussion with Walter Mirisch of The Mirisch Company, which produced the classic; Oscar�-winning actor George Chakiris; and vocalist Marni Nixon, who served as Natalie Woods' voice double. TCM Host Robert Osborne moderates the discussion, which was taped at the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival in historic Hollywood.

Tickets for The West Side Story 50th Anniversary Event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The West Side Story 50th Anniversary Event will appear in nearly 400 select movie theaters across the country via the new digital cinema projection systems.

"The West Side Story 50th Anniversary Event will give movie lovers around the country the opportunity to experience one of the greatest movie musicals of all time on the big screen through state-of-the-art digital projection," said Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president of brand and digital activation/general manager of festivals for TCM, TBS and TNT. "As an added bonus, moviegoers will also get to enjoy one of the many terrific panel discussions from the TCM Classic Film Festival. We're very excited to be partnering with NCM Fathom on this extraordinary event."

West Side Story is a modern adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," retold as a story of New York City gang violence with a sophisticated scoring and exuberant choreography. The tale of young, star-crossed lovers became a parable of the modern world, where Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) were doomed not only by their passion but also by larger social forces. It transcended these apparent contradictions and made a classic tale timely by overlaying the love story with an exploration of mid-century racial tensions, transforming the Montagues and Capulets into the all-white Jets gang and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Music and story blended powerfully, as the sounds of the streets became the percussive muscle of a heavy-hitting score that blended jazz, pop and Latin rhythms. This monumental production, conceived and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, features the timeless lyrics of master American songwriter Stephen Sondheim, a magnificent score by Leonard Bernstein and a heartfelt book by playwright Arthur Laurents.

"Over the last 50 years, West Side Story has maintained its place among the greatest films ever made, with a stunning soundtrack and timeless storyline that continue to have a massive impact on audiences everywhere," said Dan Diamond, senior vice president of NCM Fathom. "For one more night, fans can experience the magic of this cinematic treasure, fully restored and on the big screen."