WEST SIDE STORY DC SO MAD! — Page 5

This will probably sound like a really dumb question...I've only seen the movie version. The "rape" scene in the movie is a near rape. Does the rape actually happen in the stage version?

Schrank was HORRID. I cannot understand how he was cast. I hate to say negative things about performers but he was a total waste in the show.

I love the Robbins choreography but I wonder if the "dance-fighting" at the beginning hasn't stood up to the test of time the way the rest of it has. I heard several snickers from the younger members of the audience sitting around me. I wonder if they're more cynical to see it as the art it is and just finds it silly. Maybe they see more violence through television and video games that they can't see the choreography for what it is.

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So is the choreography/movement used for the "rape scene" still Robbin's choreography?

There are different things going around.

A-Rab's pants are unzipped, he lies on top of her and thrusts, then Anita screams. That's as close to rape as theatre gets, IMO.

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Updated On: 12/21/08 at 11:54 PM

That sounds like the original choreography.

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I saw the so so tour in the 90s that used the original staging, the rather good 1999 London production which again used the original designs and staging and have a copy of the libretto--I've always been pretty sure it's a near rape as well--though it is further played down of course in the movie.


"Wickedrentq, the movie line is "birth to earth." Makes much more sense. "

Sperm to worm though sounds much cruder and so fits better with teenage guys as a catch phrase. I dunno, in this case the dialogue is meant to sound a bit stupid--most such catch phrases between groups of friends that age frankly do. *shrug* All that's never bothered me too much. It is interesting that now everyone finds the dialogue so dated--the slang I mean when at the time that Laurents and Sondheim made it they purposefully tried to invent slang or use jazz slang, etc, and stay away from current youth slang so it *wouldn't* date. But most people my age now seem to think it IS the youth slang of the time.

^ Gee, are you still pissed LEGALLY BLONDE closed, and WSS took the theater?

Your comment is typical of why I very rarely even come here anymore.

But beyond that....

I am frankly getting disgusted with these cheap, shoddy revivals that are being foisted on Broadway. Even the orchestration "improvements" that have been dolloped all over Pal Joey are putrid. I was right a year ago when I gagged on the thought of Hoff as Joey and Stockard Channing can.not.sing. Not a note. Even the spaces between her notes are off key.

And now it looks like another classic is being raped. (And there was no rape in the original. They would never have gotten away with that in Eisenhower America. Near rape, yes. Full-rape, no... why am I sounding like Rob't Downey Jr?)

God forgive them, ljay889, if they try to revive Legally Blonde. My wrath will be cosmic.

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Sorry I didn't mean to sound quite as bitchy as I did--I swear. Just that I know doing such things without the authors permission is illegal and so I was being catty that they must not have realized--so for Laurents his idea prob is new...

No movie changes are incorporated.


And I believe only parts of the "Quintet", "I Feel Pretty", "A Boy Like That", and "I Have A Love" are in Spanish.

ok, so near rape...but still sounds pretty graphic and traumatic. I'm really looking forward to seeing this show when we come in April! Since the movie is the only version I've ever seen, I'm going in with an open mind and intend to enjoy the show. I absolutely love the music, and growing up with the soundtrack & knowing most of the words to the songs, I think it will be easier to sit back and enjoy the new Spanish lyrics and imagine what the characters are feeling while singing.

"Wickedrentq, the movie line is "birth to earth." Makes much more sense. "

Sperm to worm though sounds much cruder and so fits better with teenage guys as a catch phrase.

I agree. I was responding to WRQ saying the line was "burst to earth," which makes no sense.

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