My review of West Side Story 12-30-08 — Page 3

Wait, aren't KRUPKE and COOL still in their original spots? COOL in act 1 and KRUPKE in act 2.

Someone should admit that it's better reversed and make the change.

That "someone" is the original book director, and it will NEVER happen. Arthur insists that Krupke belongs after the Rumble because Shakespeare always had a clown come in for comic relief when the tragedy was at its peak.

Arthur refuses to believe that Ernest Lehman's screenplay actually IMPROVED on his script.

It was easier for Arthur to forgive Patti LuPone than it would be for him to admit that Ernest Lehman was right and include Lehman's improvements in the script for the stage show.

That would also mean that Lehman (or his estate) would be eligible for a significant portion of Arthur's royalties--and an even more significant portion of the credit for the musical's book.

---

I told you you'd like it, Mimi!

---

And in the words of Harvey Milk, You gotta give the people HOPE!
I've always believed the major theme of WEST SIDE STORY and ROMEO AND JULIET is that the families may start to realize that their fued is pointless and only senseless murders can help both clans to see they have more in common than they thought.
But not in this production.

I don't necessarily think that the ending has to be "overt" to suggest hope. Perhaps Laurents is saying something about how the love between two individuals can transcend the ills of "humanity." Change doesn't "magically" occur because someone is murdered. It is only possible if it is deeply rooted in the individual despite war, prejudice, injustice, violence, abuse, poverty, greed...even death. You know, something like that.

Maybe he's making a very personal comment based on his own life and what he has experienced in the past couple of years. He wouldn't be the first person to believe that each human being has the free will and power to transform the world but that it is a process and always will be.

I have no idea why I'm trying to find a plausible argument to support Laurents' choice here. I hated what he did with GYPSY. But what the hell. I thought I'd take a stab at it.

---

CPD, I hear you. I'm just making an attempt to understand why these changes have been implemented.

I'm not "attached" to WSS the way others are. (I do have my "attachments" though! And I am very unhappy when something I have deep affection for is mutilated, altered or misinterpreted. But this thread isn't about THOSE shows!)

Anyway, since I haven't had the "relationship" with the show that you have, the new WSS ending doesn't bother me so much. I guess I like when plays end ambiguously. Or on a sad note. I suppose I have such a giddily happy existence that the draw to "the other side" is my only opportunity to experience sadness in a meaningful way. (HA! Sarcasm is my BFF.)

Honestly, I'm more upset about his cutting the dream ballet than anything else!

Have you seen it only once, CPD? I ask this because sometimes when you see something like this a second time, you have a different perspective on it. Your expectations are different, so you're not as disappointed, you know what I mean?

I'm going to try to see it again this week myself.

---

Yeah, I only have seen it once.
And I gave it props in my first opinions.
OBAMA and such has made MEGABUS impossible,
I wanna see it again.