Chita Rivera, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Carol Lawrence, and cast around piano in rehearsal for the Broadway production of West Side Story

The Billy Rose Theatre Division preserves the world’s largest collection of New York theatre photography, from the late-19th century work of the Sarony family to the digital photography of Joan Marcus and Carol Rosegg. These photographs document not only the work on stage, but also rehearsals, cast parties, and shots of the set without actors. Here, the Friedman-Abeles Studio captures lyricist Stephen Sondheim, composer Leonard Bernstein, and the cast of West Side Story as they rehearse a song from the 1957 musical, before anyone knew it would become the iconic, internationally produced work it is recognized as today. Other artifacts from the Broadway production and subsequent film are on view nearby in the “New York City” section of the exhibition.