West Side Story

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 9:19am

OK, joeyjoe and I rented this and watched it last night, and I hadn't seen a production of it in years - but I found myself weeping openly several times during the show - and mostly because of the wonderful arrangements of Leonard Bernstein's music. Is there a modern composer who's work even come's close to this man's brilliance? WSS and Candide are so beautifully conceived and presented, I find myself getting lost in the chord structures and melodies...
I just needed to get that off my chest!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 9:28am

West Side Story's portrayal of bigotry moves me to tears. It shows these men, so full of hatred and uncontrollable anger, and shows the consequences of their behaviour.
It was written nearly 50 years ago, and yet so little has changed...

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 9:29am

paradox - you're right about that - perhaps that's one of the reasons it hit me so hard - its just a wonderful telling of a great story

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 9:30am

it's a brilliant score... BRIL. LI. ANT.

[AndyHardy]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 10:35am

I have to agree. When the DVD came out last year I watched it from start to finish for the first time in years. I was quite moved -- primarily by Bernstein's score and Saul Chaplin's (?) musical work on the picture. Also, for the first time I understood why George Chakiris won the Oscar. Quite a great "understated" performance. His dancing has that wonderful "economic" use of his body and facial expression where he does just enough -- but not too much. Smooth.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 10:53am

The collector's DVD has a fantastic documentary of the making of the film and some wonderful archive footage. It's worth the extra money.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 11:05am

Matt - we rented the 2 DVD version and we will watch the documentary part this evening.

[AndyHardy]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 11:24am

When you do watch the documentary, be kind to Natalie. Pretty face but ..whoa, her "real" voice singing "Tonight" in the Quintet. Ouch. Love her, though.
The documentary is very good. Would love to see all the "home movies" that were shot on location.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:46pm

redhot - You will love love love it! Jarico bought it for me last year and we watched it together. It's fantastic.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 3:23pm

related to the topic of musical movies on DVD...does anyone know what the extra features ae like on the 7 brides for 7 brothers DVD? is it worth buying/

Akiva Updated On: 12/7/04 at 03:23 PM

[Idina's BIGGEST fan]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:44pm

i saw that movie in school... i tried not to cry because i was in front of other kids but i felt tears running down. yeah, its a really sad movie. just proves that you should people for who they are.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:58pm

"Is there a modern composer who's work even come's close to this man's brilliance?"

With the exception of Gershwin's work in "Porgy and Bess," no, no one in musical theatre touches Bernstein's ingenius compositional achievements West Side Story and Candide.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 7:52pm

Obviously Margo hasn't seen BKLYN yet.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 7:54pm

...or DRACULA.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:14am

Obviously not. As good as West Side Story is it just doesn't compare to the sheer masterpieces that are Brooklyn and Dracula. But what kind of shill would I be if I didn't mention Wicked?
WICKED FOR PRESIDENT!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:23am

I'm still waiting for a production of west side story to stray from the original ballet choreography and use a more modern/violent approach. then perhaps I can watch it without laughing. otherwise I think the writing is brilliant.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:28am

Maybe Wayne Cilento can choreograph the revival. You said violent - he can just have everyone randomly run around the stage and pose. He's good at that. Who's ure pic, cats?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:33am

matthew bourne.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:36am

Ahh, I should have known that. He's beautiful - I was wondering if it was you - I was kind of feeling like we needed to go on a date if it was. Oh well, Swan Lake was erotic...mmmmmm

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:40am

oh, sorry. the guy in the picture is Adam Rickitt. Matthew Bourne is who I'd like to see choreograph west side story...

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:43am

lmao.

pic. pick. "Gold jacket. Green jacket. Who gives a ****?"





And also, redhot, i agree wholeheartedly with you on WSS.
It moves me in astonishing ways.
And I feel that Robbins' choreography is one of the elements that makes it so powerful. (Sorry CATS )

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:45am

lol. I know... I was like, who's my pic? okay... let me think... Updated On: 12/8/04 at 12:45 AM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:51am

I agree with Priest.
You know I once got in a fight with a friend when he called the choregraphy of WEst Side Story effeminate and pansy-ish. The raw masculinity that this choreography shows is unbelivable. Jerome Robbins choreography is part of what makes this show so incredible. I cannot think of a show that better integrates Book, Music, Lyrics, Direction and Choreography (at least the original and the Movie). West Side Story is what Musical Theatre is all about!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:55am

and I totally see where you're coming from in that respect, I just have to believe that if it was written today and if it was being choreographed for today's audience without anyone having any preconceived images of the original choreography I don't think it would be done quite so balletic... the fact that it's been done that way for 47 years without anyone second guessing it makes me want to do just that... Updated On: 12/8/04 at 12:55 AM