West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
#1West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:20pm
The end of WSS has Maria living at the end, does anyone know if there was ever any intention of having the show end in the same way as Romeo and Juliet?
Updated On: 6/22/08 at 04:20 PM
#2re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:22pmThis is actually a good question.
#2re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:23pmHmm...That's kind of odd.
#3re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:23pmPART TWO: MARIA'S REVENGE!
#4re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:24pmI remember reading somewhere that the show was originally supposed to end with Maria killing herself as well, but it was ultimately decided that Maria would live. I can't remember the specific reasons, and I can't remember who made the choice, I'm sure other people on the board can expand on this, but yes, at one point the show was going to end like ROMEO AND JULIET.
Lynnespock2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/04
#5re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:45pm
Spoiler? Is there someone on the face of the earth that doesn't know Tony lives and Maria dies in WSS?
#6re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:49pmHaha this is very true Lynne, but just in case some didn't know about Maria slipping in that puddle while she was running to Tony's arms.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#7re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:50pm
Oh, there would certainly be people who would complain about this being a spoiler. 
That's a great question, btw. I've always wondered that, myself.
#8re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:58pm
Well, the Wikipedia reckons the original ending had Maria shooting Chino then herself, but it's marked with [citation needed], which generally means they don't have a link to back that up. So... eh. Who knows? I do like the Wikipedia, but it is only as reliable as the people who toy with it. *shrugs*
Lynnespock2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/04
#9re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:16pm
LOL Lavieboheme3090! I SO forgot about that puddle!
Weez? The one accurate thing about Wikipedia is that it isn't very accurate.
#10re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:18pm
I like how you're essentially telling me something I already acknowledged in my post. Well done. 
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#11re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:47pmThat is an interesting question. I wonder who made the decision that she didn't kill herself. Maybe they just thought it would be too damn depressing.
gypsy4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/07
#12re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:51pm
It would have made the show more dramatic and depressing
Updated On: 6/22/08 at 05:51 PM
#13re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:53pmLike it needs more drama!
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#14re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:53pm
That it would have. But seriously depressing.
JMO.
Trekkie2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/06
#15re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:58pm
Wiki also says that during previews it had an almost identical end scene. "The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences."
That would have made the ending more depressing AND boring.
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#16re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:59pmYeah, that would have been kinda stupid. And totally unrealistic.
#17re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:10pmSo rival gangs dancing and singing in the streets is just sorta unrealistic?
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#18re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:22pm
"So rival gangs dancing and singing in the streets is just sorta unrealistic?"
Point taken. I guess unrealistic wasn't really the word I was looking for.
#19re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:27pm
I'm just teasing...
I actually think it could work out. There's no doubt that Rita Morena had the intensity to stop it. It'd be a very intense monologue, with her crying and screaming, instead of the calm and collected Prince speech.
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#20re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:33pmShe could have pulled that off yeah.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#21re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 7:28pm
I actually think it's sadder with Maria living. They're separated for the rest of her lifetime 
#22re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 8:02pm
'The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences."
What adults? The officers? Doc? Or would everyone's parents suddenly show up and lament the lack of after school programs?
Lynnespock2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/04
#23re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 8:28pmLavieboheme3090 - I think you are the wittiest person on this board. I really do LOL reading your posts!
#24re: West Side Story ending question *spoiler*
Posted: 6/22/08 at 9:54pmSporkGoddess, I agree! I think the idea of her living on without him after seeing him shot in front of her is so heartbreaking.
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