In the stage version, the ballad "Somewhere" was part of an idealized ballet of the Jets and Sharks getting along--which was not used in the film version.
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
and did I NOT already mention that the damn ballet was planned and storyboarded and eventually abandoned..you're thirty five posts too late with that info Mary_Edna...
but that's okay.. YOU still think Chakiris played Bernardo in the London stage production don't you?
and "COOL" was actually sung by RIFF in the stage version and Tucker Smith who actually sings it in the film version DUBBED Russ Tamblyn in "The Jet Song" so in reality Tucker Smith sings TWO songs in the film.
Rita Moreno was originally offered the role of "Anita" in the original stage version of "WSS" by Robbins who met her during the filming of "The King & I", prior film commitments didn;t allow Moreno to do the stage show. but Robbins made up for his loss on stage by casting Moreno in the movie version. she was the first one cast in the film.
WEST SIDE STORY would have been more authentic if they would have showed the Sharks chowing down some authentic arroz con gandules, chuleta and tostones....
Although Rita Moreno won a Supporting Actress Oscar for WSS--she fell victim to the "Oscar Curse" and couldn't get a decent part for many years thereafter.
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
she then went to London and won slammin reviews for her portrayal in a revival of "The Miracle Worker" not to mention her performance in the London version of "She Loves Me"...