West Side Story is an American musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leo Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The story is a contemporary American version of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with the background of 1950s Upper West Side of Manhattan -- then a multi-racial blue-collar neighborhood. While turf wars going on between 2 teenage gang members, the Jets (White gang) and the Sharks(Puerto Rican gang), a love affair develops between the rival gang members. Tony the former leader of the Jets falls in love with Maria, sister of Bernardo, the leader of Sharks. Just like Romeo and Juliet the whole thing ends with tragedy. West Side Story debuted on Broadway in 1957 and 1961 adapted into a movie, co-directed by Robbins and Robert Wise with Sondheim Lyric and Bernstein Music. Robbins also did electrifying choreography. The movie version became an instant classic with enthusiastic reactions from movie goers as well as movie critics.
There were many great dance scenes and beautiful songs such as "Maria", "Somewhere", "Tonight", " I feel Pretty" and many more. But the best part of the West Side Story is the song & dance routine of "America", performed by the Sharks gang and their girlfriends led by Anita, girlfriend of gang leader Bernardo, performed by the incomparable Rita Moreno. Every time, I don't know how many times, I see this piece, it puts a smile on my face -- " A Pure Joy", just like Gene Kelly's title number "Singing in the Rain ". Rita Moreno won the well-deserved Oscar in this movie, the first for a Latino actress. She steals the whole movie with this performance -- Perfect. This song and dance piece "America" shows the triumph of the spirit over the obstacles often faced by immigrants. I consider it the Anthem for all immigrants in America. West Side Story was nominated for 11 Hollywood's Academy Awards and won 10 Oscars, the most for musical. There were several Broadway revivals. Recently, after 60 years, 2nd movie adaptation was produced. This 2021 movie version was directed by Steven Spielberg with choreographer Justin Peck. I saw the 2021 version with a particular interest of how he would handle the iconic "America" piece. Most of the song and dance pieces in 2021 version were as good or even better than the 1961 original version with more diversified authentic casting. But when it came to the piece "America", he and choreographer Justin Peck took a subdued approach.
It looks like they did not attempt to replicate Robbins/ Moreno original. I think they did a right thing. The original version was so good that whatever they do, it would've looked like a poor imitation. When some movie scenes are so good and authentic, you cannot imitate. Can you imagine anyone other than Humphrey Bogart can deliver the Words in the movie Casablanca, "I am looking at you kid"? It would seem so corny. Or, can you replicate the parting shot by Clark Gable at the end of the movie GWTW, "Frankly, My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn." Spielberg made a small change in the script in 2021 version to pay tribute to Ms. Moreno. She plays drug store owner Jets gang leader Tony worked for. The owner in the original script was an old man. She is over 90 now, still looks hot today as she was in 1961, but more graceful and elegant ---- "God Bless Her." õ
