Talk:West Side Story

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Could someone maybe add a section on the plot?

Contents

[edit] South Park - Tonight Parody?

in the animated motion picture "southpark - bigger, longer, uncut" there is a parody of "tonight". perhaps this should be mentioned? - musschrott

Go for it! Ellsworth 21:21, 23 Apr 2005 (UTC)
I'd definitely agree that there's a similarity, and I'm sure the writers were thinking of the song from West Side Story, but it should be noted that the form of *both* songs - Several characters singing different songs, spilling their hopes to the audience - is a popular way to close the first act of many musical theater or operatic shows. If I were more knowledgable in opera, I could give you better examples, but you can find similar songs in Les Miserables and in The Producers, and I think you could even make a case for Making Christmas, from The Nightmare Before Christmas, approaching these in tone. -MBlume 21:15, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Shook-Up Generation

It should be noted that much of the research for West Side Story came out of the book, The Shook-Up Generation. This book, by Harrison Salisbury, is an inside exposé on juvenile delinquency in the 1950's. Many of the subjects (gang organization, war councils, etc.) from the musical show up in the book. It was required reading for the casts of the original Broadway run, and, as an actor, I find it highly valuable in terms of character development. --Theaterfreak64

P.S. In fact, this book came out more than a year after West Side Story opened on Broadway and even describes the play as a romanticized view of gang life. Difficult to see how the cast could have referenced this work, since it didn't yet exist. The movie cast may have but the cast of the play? Impossible.

Brian Dalen —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 4.255.199.248 (talk) 08:10, 1 Jan, 2006 (UTC).

You are correct. I was somewhat surprised when I read that in the book, heh. My director described it as I did, anyway, way back when I in 'West Side Story'. The only possibility is that there is more than one edition of the book. Also, there was more than one Broadway cast, as the show ran for quite a long time. -Theaterfreak64 03:47, 3 October 2006 (UTC) according to 'the shook-up generation' selection of used books on ebay, the first printing was 1952, followed by 1958 amd 1959, then many more editions throught the 1960s from 60,61 through 1968. kub

[edit] Plot: Was Anita nearly raped?

  • I may be wrong but I was under the impression that the Jets did more than just taunt Anita, I thought they almost raped her and was stopped by Doc. Am I incorrect? GracieLizzie 16:07, 1 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism not noticed

I just reverted this little bit of vandalism. It went unnoticed for several weeks! -- Samuel Wantman 09:27, 9 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Categorization

This article is categorized as a "Broadway opera." I believe that it falls squarely and completely within the musical genre. If nobody is opposed to me moving it into the Broadway musical category within two weeks, I'm going to move it. Please leave your comments here.--Cassmus 05:14, 6 May 2006 (UTC)

Well, by some strict definitions of opera, it is considered such--the plot is advanced by the music--and it requires highly-trained singers with excellent technique for such numbers as the trio and double chorus for "Tonight." It is not through-sung (every verbal exchange is sung--that is, there is non-musical dialogue) but it comes close ("Oh no, Anita, no/You should know better/You were in love/Or so you said.") And the concert is sometimes performed by opera companies. That said, I would consider it an operatic/balletic (again, the dance advances the plot) musical. Like "The Most Happy Fella," WSS has always been difficult to categorize. 64.132.218.4 17:20, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm still not convinced that the show classifies as an opera. You do need highly trained singers for a production--but only two or three (for the parts of Tony, Maria, and possibly Anita). The music for all of the other parts, though, never comes close to being operatic. The production does not come close to being "through-sung." About 65% of the show is sung, which is not more than most other Broadway musicals and not to the level of opera. Also, music and dance do not advance the plot in any more than shows that are distinctly "musicals" (such as Oklahoma!). Is there a blurring between genres? Of course. However, West Side Story does not fall into that limbo area the way that The Phantom of the Opera, Candide, or Show Boat do.--Cassmus 20:06, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

FYI, I've nominated Category:Broadway operas for deletion. -- Samuel Wantman 07:07, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

I would not categorize WSS as a Broadway opera. If that was the case, then you could say that 70% of musicals are Broadway operas. The Woman in White has duets and trios...but that dosen't make it an opera. La Cage aux Folles has duets, and requires very trained singers....but that doesn't make it an opera. I did not spot any operatic techniques in the score. And as for I Have A Love/No, Anita No!....well, Evita and Rent are almost entirely sung-through, but they aren't operas. And there was LOTS of dialogue in WSS. WSS is probably only performed because Leonard Bernstein is a celebrated classical musician. However, I wouldn't delete the whole category....there is a wide range of operatic musicals, like Sweeney Todd, Candide, Aspects of Love....etc -[Pamina]

[edit] Plot: A Boy Like That- Maria "making love"?

It didn't actually occur to me that Maria and Tony were "making love." Is that actually true?

Note: "Making love" didn't used to mean "having sex." It used to be a synonym for "courting" or for "making out."

[edit] Influences?

Duke Ellington's memior "Music Is My Mistriss" claims that the original Broadway production of West Side Story appropriated the set design (possibly other things) from the musical "Jump for Joy" (for which Ellington wrote music).

[edit] There are three recordings of West Side Story:

I suspect this is untrue. world-wide ther must be many. I certainly have heard a fe in my life time that are not on this list. Please amend the list to reflect what it really means? Notable US recordings in English? Or put in another section. Candy 21:44, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What does Schrank mean when he asks A-Rab how his 'Old man's DT's' are?

I was just wondering because I tried looking it up and I couldn't find anything. Apparently his dad is an alcoholic. Does that have something to do with it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.135.98.22 (talk) 18:06, 16 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Semi-protected

I watch over 50 pages through my Wikipedia user account, and this one is the most vandalized. Can we get it semi-protected to prevent what another user gently called "semi-literate thumb suckers" from continuing to vandalize one of the best musical theatre sites in Wikipedia?--Cassmus 20:55, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I Feel Pretty

Article currently says:

"I Feel Pretty" has also been used in a comedic way from time to time, due to the line "I feel pretty and witty and gay". At the time the song was written, the term "gay" as a synonym of "homosexual" was not so widely known:

I think this might be a bit misleading. I understand the original lyrics were: "I feel pretty and witty and bright", rhyming with "tonight" in the next line. In the film version the lyrics were changed to be consistent with the time of day "gay/today". So at the time the song was written, the word "gay" wasn't even in it!

Steve Lowther 02:52, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

  • Then it should read "at the time the film was made". Wahkeenah 03:21, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Symphonic Dances

I can't find in the article any mention of a Symphonic Dances Suite derived from West Side Story as is suggested by this NY Phil page about it. Also: Program notes from Oklahoma

--Atavi 23:04, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] NCSA - hello? How is this not just advertising?

Would the folks at North Carolina School of the Arts please tell us why their future production of West Side Story is so notable? That is, why is your insertion not just advertising?

Arches16 (talk · contribs · logs · block user · block log) 5 March 2007 here only
66.73.194.21 (talk • contribs • WHOIS • RDNS • RBLs • block user • block log) 12 March 2007 here, theatre
Eaglecorpse (talk · contribs · logs · block user · block log) 14 March 2007 NCSA, theatre, and here
204.85.6.176 (talk • contribs • WHOIS • RDNS • RBLs • block user • block log) 14 March 2007 here, theatre

Shenme 15:55, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

The "west side" of North Carolina consists of mountains, so maybe they're rewriting it as a musical version of the Hatfields and the McCoys. Wahkeenah 23:25, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

No response yet, here or at the individual editors talk pages outlined above. My objection is echoed by the external site's own phrasing of an article "Though this production is a fiftieth anniversary celebration of the original, ...". Note the 'a'. It is not 'the' 'only' single and acclaimed by all anniversary production. I'm sure other schools and local organizations will take this opportunity to celebrate the anniversary, and would also love to advertise that. While NCSA's associations with the original production are interesting, this text still ends up reading like an advertisement for a future production. I would like to see one or more of those editors to comment on how this is not a correct reading. Shenme 04:23, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

--19:08, 20 March 2007 (UTC)Eaglecorpse

Yes, although it is 'a' 50th anniversary production (not 'the'), it is the only full-scale broadway-style production being put on. It is also one the only full-scale professional production put on where the roles are being played by those closer to the age that the roles were originally intended to be. Also, as mentioned, Arthur Laurents and Gerald Freedman are involved, as well as the Bernstein Children, Mauceri (Bernstein's protege), many of the surviving members of the original cast, etc, etc. --Eaglecorpse 19:08, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Eaglecorpse 02:57, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

You can see a list of people involved in the production at http://www.ncarts.edu/pressreleases/Releases2007/March07/friendsupport.htm Eaglecorpse 02:57, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

As much as I like the NCSA as an institution, it still amounts to promotional advertising. Wahkeenah 07:35, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to have to agree with Wahkeenah. For musicals the threshold for warranting a production's inclusion in Wikipedia seems to be either 1) a world premiere, 2) a cast recording, 3) a production in a noteworthy venue like Broadway or the West End, 4) a famous star in a production, or 5) a revolutionary production that alters the way people worldwide see, imagine, and stage the show in the future. I doubt that the NCSA production fits ANY of these categories.--Cassmus 07:14, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

I also agree. First of all, this is a student production, not a professional production. Second, it has not happened yet. Third, it is a very limited run of less than two weeks. Fourth, there are numerous 50th anniversary events and productions planned. The fact that people connected with the production had a connection with the Broadway production and/or Bernstein is interesting, but not really notable. Here's an idea: Wait until a month after the production has actually happened and see if there has been a Washington Post or NY Times review that discusses why this production is notable. If there are some, you will be able to quote it and write something. Best regards, -- Ssilvers 06:09, 30 March 2007 (UTC)
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