“His musical acuity, he always closes his eyes.
He always listens to the music,” Spielberg tells EW.
“It’s how skilled you are at diving into the character you’re playing.
You have to believe what you’re saying through song.”
For Spielberg, working with Sondheim was a chance to connect with a fellow film lover.
I’ve never known anybody with Steve’s knowledge and memory.
We forged a relationship based on a love of cinema."
The young cast reaped the benefits of that involvement.
Ansel Elgort,who stars as Tony, remembers his first interactions with Sondheim vividly.
“The first day we’re singing ‘Maria,'” he recounts.
“Everyone’s still filing in and I hadn’t overthought it yet.
I feel good about it.
(The 1961 film famously dubbed much of the cast, includingRichard Beymeras Tony).
“It didn’t go very well,” he remembers.
“I couldn’t hit the notes, and I was also acting silly.
At the end of the session, somehow it was just me and Sondheim left.
Elgort knew Sondheim was commenting on his distracted approach to the work that day.
And I think about that advice all the time now.”
West Side Storyhits theaters Dec. 10.
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