West Side Story...Abstinence?

#1

West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 7:14pm

I just saw West Side Story last night and they kept inserting the word "abstinence" randomly throughout the book....

Anyone have any idea why? Interpretations?

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When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that all the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing. - Moliere

#2

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 7:17pm

The production is so mind-numbingly bad that they want everyone to "abstain" from thinking about it.

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"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#3

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 7:30pm

It was so distracting! It seemed like the cast was suffering collectively from turrets syndrome.

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When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that all the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing. - Moliere

#4

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 8:16pm

It wasn't all that random if you were paying attention to Gladhand in the scene.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

#5

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 9:37pm

I was hoping this thread was gonna be about the Jonas Bros taking over the three male leads.

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 09:37 PM

#6

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 10:42pm

It wasn't random at all if you remember the Dance at the Gym scene, and I wouldn't say that it went "throughout the book" as it was only mentioned in that scene and during "Gee, Officer Krupke."

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http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda "And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

#7

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:15pm

You're forgetting "I Feel Abstinent."

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#8

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:18pm

My brain is a little foggy - are these lines that were in the original, or is this something for the revival only. Feel free to post spoilers, as I'm not going to see the show.

And when I saw this thread title, all I could think about is how was this going to be about if Tony and Maria did it.

#9

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:47pm

I have to add to Phyllis's query. It has been a while since the last time I've done the show, but I don't remember any talk of abstinence in the script. Is my memory that bad or has the script been further tinkered with beyond all the Spanish translation.

#10

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 12:00am

"You're forgetting 'I Feel Abstinent.'"

Not to be confused with the duet "A Boy Who Abstains/I Have Abstained"

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Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.

#11

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 10:28am

"Tonight, tonight
I will abstain tonight..."

"When you're a Jet
You abstain all the way
You don't smoke cigarettes
Or have sex, no Jose!"

#12

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 10:30am

Seriously, though, what's up with the abstinence references for those who haven't seen the revival?

#13

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 10:40am

West Side Story: Straight Edge Edition.

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#14

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 10:51am

Are you sure aren't thinking of the line where she says, "He just came to deliver aspirin?"

#15

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 1:06pm

Abstinence makes the heart grow harder.

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#16

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 1:12pm

I still do not understand.

No comprendo.

#17

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 2:02pm

Now I can only picture Karen Olivo sashaying about singing:
"I like to be Abstinent
Okay to be abstinent
Ask and you'll get no consent
I like to be abstinent"

#18

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 3:01pm

Look, if I can unearth Orfeh's real age getting this question answered shouldn't be that damn difficult!

#19

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 7:08pm

Phyllis, we all know that one can read about dinosaurs on wikipedia.

#20

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:48pm

Now THAT was funny.

But seriously, I still don't understand this thread!

#21

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 9:23pm

I'm not sure if it was added specifically for this production, but in the beginning of "The Dance at the Gym," Gladhand runs around to couples telling them to dance further apart and mentions that abstinence is important. Then it comes up again in "Gee, Officer Krupke" after Action sings "That's why I'm a jerk," he motions like he's jerking off and the kid playing the social worker screeches "Abstinence!"

#22

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 9:23pm

Double post.

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 09:23 PM

#23

re: West Side Story...Abstinence?

Posted: 7/23/09 at 9:26pm

Thank you! Finally!