[Irvine]

Okay. Here comes the heated debate.

Whether people realise it or not, there are two versions of the song "America."

The first version is sung by the Puerto Rican girls, highlighted by an argument between Anita and Rosalia about which is better, America or Puerto Rico.

The second version, which I believe was written for the film, has the Sharks joining in the song, which is highlighted by an argument between Anita and BERNARDO, about the racism towards the P.R.s in America.

For me, there is no question about which one is better. I find the second version nothing short of embarrassing. This number is a song for the GIRLS. Seeing the boys poncing about singing "La la la la la America" just ruins the song for me. I'd get the same feeling if the girls joined in and started singing along to "Gee Officer Krupke" or "Jet Song." These are songs for the boys, "America" is a song for the girls. This and "I Feel Pretty" are the only girls' songs in the entire show, and the second version robs them of that.

Not only that, but the content of the song is almost completely different in the two versions. I think the lyrics are funnier in the first version, and not as... how could I put it...? Preachy? I dunno, having the Puerto Ricans spell out that they have to deal with racism just seems silly to me. This point is explained elsewhere in the show, it doesn't need to be pushed here.

So that's my opinion. I am sure I'll have people disagreeing with me - heck, half the cast of the "West Side" I'm doing at the moment disagree with me! (In the end, I win though - we're doing the first version! Heh heh)

What I HAVE discovered is that EVERYONE I've spoken to so far prefers the version THAT THEY HEARD FIRST.

What do others think...?

[RainbowJude]

I think that the version written for the stage version works fantastically in the stage version and that the version in the film works perfectly for the film.

I don't think the film version is embarrassing. This is a comedy number with a bite: it's funny and it works like a dream. The staging of the number in the film is fantastic too. And it helps to develop the Shark men a little more; in the stage show they are pretty much designated as "the other" with very little of the complexity that characterises the Jets.

Later days
David

[Emily]

The first version that I heard was the film version - Anita and Bernado, but I prefer the all girls version, I agree that America is a number for the girlies, th eboys get their own, but America is really the only good female chorus number!

[RisingStar]

[TheatreBeastie]

the film version-No doubt!

I liked the way we did it when i did it, though. we used the stage version's lyrics, but had Rosalia sort of mocking the Male Sharks as they were saying america is so much better, etc, and they still got to frolic around and sing "La la la america!" lol!

It ended up working out quite well!
~Beastie

[RainbowJude]

As far as I know, the version of the show available for production uses the original script with the girls performing the number. Can the production be done using the film version of the number; it this available for hire?

Hmm.....

Later days
David

[Vikatoria]

I saw the video first then saw it on stage and REALLY enjoyed the girls version!!!!!! i think a big factor also is how the song is performed if the person playing Anita doesnt come across as if shes mocking the other Rosalia then it doesnt come across as good but the version i saw was excellent!!!!
GIRLS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Triplethreat1187]

I was introduced to the movie version of WSS before i ever saw it on stage, so I was automatically under the assumption that the number was a sort of face off between Bernardo and Anita...however, I enjoyed it much more once Bernardo was replaced by Rosalia...I am currently involved in a production of 'West Side' where the director chose to stay traditional to the musical and only used the Shark girls in America-unfortunately the number has not been getting the explosive response it deserves from audiences and thus he is trying to incorporate the guys into the number while still using Anita and Rosalia as the soloists...I dunno I just figure why mess with something when it should be a certain way? As for the Jet girls in 'Gee, Officer Krupke,' my director effectively used them in the blocking of this number without allowing any of them to upstage any of the guys...they kind of goof around in the background while the Jets visit the judge, social worker, etc. It's definately a different take on the show but it's fresh and exciting and has gotten impeccable reviews, so it's all working out.

[CassaNoah]

While I think groups should only use the females while performing (since that's the version they've licensed), I think the Bernardo-Anita America is more effective. Rosalia is such a minor character that you don't really care about her conflict with Anita. Whereas, using Bernardo and Anita, it adds a dynamic to their relationship and keeps the audience interested in who will emerge victorious. That's just my two cents.

[JimmyJ]

i like the boys and girls, but only if the moen, can actually pull off a masculine feel, which is hard to do when dancing around singing lalalala, but not impossible

[_rumpleteaser_]

I finished a run of "West Side Story" in June as Consuela, a Shark girl. I have to admit as a long time fan of the movie I was apprehensive about just girls doing "America" especially since the only stage version I have seen used Anita and Bernardo. However, our Anita and Rosalia were really good. The girl who played Rosalia was so animated and even though she's a small role she made her character very big. All the Shark girls had so much fun and really made the audience react. It was the biggest number of the show that got the best reaction. If done right, it can be just as exciting as the boy/girl version and thats how the writers wanted it.

[tjc1973]

Excuse me for being a bit "preachy", but here goes:

While doing a production of WSS, I thought I recall my director, who worked with Jeroms Robbins, saying that the movie version concept of America was the original concept for the number in the stage version, but apparently the Sharks from the original Broadway production were not attending rehearsals and not cooperative, so the number was switched by Robbins and made into feature number for the Shark girls (I have NO idea if this was true, but it sounds possible, especially since a feature for the Shark girls only and nothing for the boys in the show seems a bit odd...).

Aso, in my opinion, if you're not going to do it the way it was written (with the grils singing AMERICA), then you're not doing the show as intended. Anyone who is familiar with the show knows what a showstopper that song can be, and would expect the girls to do it.

Unfortunately, that is the problem with movie musicals--anyone who is more inclined to see a movie version of a muscial thinks they've seen "the play". I pratically cringe when people say they saw the movie "A Chorus Line" and they think they've seen the show. (The ACL movie was DREADFUL!!!) While many movie musicals have done the original Bway productions justice, some have not. (Annie and ACL are examples, as well as the remake of Music Man with Matthew Broderick--the individual performances may be great, sometimes new concepts or restructuring without proper supervisionor input of any original creative staff is poor executed).

In the WSS movie, they also changed where Officer Krupke and Cool are sung, as well as who sings them (Riff sings Krupke in the movie and Action sings Cool)...
I don't but that either.

[Sharkz_Jetz]

I've seen both versions.

IMO, the 'girl's only' rendition was quite boring. (YAWN)

It was a great move adding the Sharks to 'America'. It helped develop their characters. No longer were they ONLY thugs and jd's....they were also very sensual, fun-loving guy's.

The Jets had "Krupke" to soften their image, why not the Sharks?

[PixieWings]

Oh yes, the girls are sooo much better. I didn't even know there was a different one until one night I was trying to download the song and they were guys singing and the words were different! I was really mad!

[Courfeyrac]

In the movie, there [i]are[/i] some girls singing in "Gee Officer Krupke" but that's not the point you were trying to make. As many times as I go see the stage version of WWS, I just can't get over how much I really like the movie. So I'm going to have to go with girls/boys. But they're both good.

[CJK_86]

The movie version is so much better. I love the guys vs. girls idea. Genius.

[turkeyHONK!]

Let the girls have their number. This is a male-dominated show so it's not like there's nothing for guys. I was a shark guy and I still got to do more than my shark girl friends. Therefore I'm glad that they were given their own song. However, I think we can all feel bad for the Jet Girls...they don't do anything!!!!

[Quique]

There was always cast recordings being played around the house, as a kid growing-up. I must have heard every single song from "West Side Story" a hundred times, but never saw the whole movie or stage production. When I finally sat through the movie as a teenager, I loved the show so much, that I convinced my brother to drive my twin sister and I, from our Los Angeles residence to the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. The Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera just happened to be presenting a full-scale version of the show, which included the movie's version of "America". Since the movie was what introduced me to the stage version, I had no idea that the original Broadway version of the song, included only the Shark girls. I had seen many black and white photos of the original Broadway production. This stage version's sets were more lavish and realistic looking. Over-all it was worth the two and a half hour drive.

When it comes to musical theatre, I have always been hopelessly devoted to everything and anything ORIGINAL. Everything from the original costume designs and colors, lighting, scenery and props, to orchestrations, direction, choreography and libretto. I don't dislike a production if it is altered from it's original, but I do find great excitement in knowing that I'm watching EXACTLY what audiences saw in the original Broadway production. The production I saw in Santa Barbara was great, but would've been excellent if they used the original set, costume and lighting design concepts. By then I had found out, that the original "America" was very different. I thought I would never get a chance to see the original version of not only "America", but the show itself in it's entirety. It was highly unlikely almost 50 years after the original premiered on Broadway, anyway.

So when I heard that a major U.S. national touring production was to have a Los Angeles engagement, I thought I'd probably see some modernized version due to the awful ads which featured a leather-clad, sexy Tony and Maria. I bought tickets anyway.

Imagine my surprise, when after taking our seats, I began looking at the photos of my souvenir program. Everything looked somehow familiar down to the last detail. I just realized I was about to see a faithful replica of the original Broadway production. With the original scenery, costumes and lighting reproduced it was visually exciting. With Jerome Robbins' original choreography it was thrilling and along with a full 30 member orchestra and exceptional cast of dancers and singers, it definitely stands-out as one of the greatest theatre experiences of my life. One number in particular stood-out, it was "America".

What a showstopper! Obviously this was the original all-girl version and when it was over, the audience erupted into loud bravos, thunderous clapping and cheering. I don't recall such a reaction in the Santa Barbara production's replica of the movie version's "America". It was the dancing!

The original version of "America" relies on two things in order to produce such a reaction from an audience, and that's GREAT top-notch dancers who don't do the sissy kiddy movements that are seen in the movie version of "America", and a GREAT choreographer who has faithfully replicated Jerome Robbins' original choreography. The scene uses minimal scenery and simple lighting, but the splash of colour comes from the costumes and the rest is choreography.

This isn't a "fun" number, it's a breath-taking one. The dancer playing Anita MUST not only be graceful and professional, but must have balls, LOL! This number uses very aggressive, quick movements and the dancer I saw who played Anita, Ms. Natacia Diaz, was full of fire and made sure she worked-up a good sweat and was gasping for air by the end of the number. Jerome Robbins' original choreography is in itself, a masterpiece. "America" uses one of his best variations and if the dancer is a singer first, then a dancer second....it will fail and will be boring. Thankfully Ms. Natacia Diaz was both and then some, LOL!

My advice to community theatres, high schools and other amatuer productions? Get top of the line DANCERS if you want this version to succeed. Focus on a very strong Anita. Also a good choreographer is probably one the single most important things. Above all, make sure you have the resources that will enable a skilled choreographer to RE-CREATE Jerome Robbins' original. Should any of these important and basic requirements be unavailable, I urge you to do your audience a favor and do the film version of "America". That version is fun no matter what and there's enough movement onstage to keep that easily entertained, American audience from yawning.

I have a very rare clip of a Broadway revival of "West Side Story" during the early 80's, that starred choreographer Debbie Allen as Anita. The clip is from the 1980 or 1981 Tony Awards telecast and is extremely rare because this was aired before VCR's were invented. My brother who is also a huge fan of Broadway, recieved it from someone who had access to the original TV sation's video archive.

The clip features a Tony performance of the "West side Story" revival's female cast performing "America". The clip quality is not the best, but it is good enough to thoroughly enjoy the choreography, acting and clear enough to hear the music and lyrics. The song's 2nd verse is edited out due to time restrictions of the live Tony Awards broadcast, but the production alone was an exact replica of the original and although this performance isn't filmed inside the theatre where the revival was currently playing, it does show the original choreography and costumes. Debbie Allen is vocally not the best out there, but her acting and especially her dancing skills are amazing! If you want to see someone master this number's choreography, then you need to watch this clip!

If there is enough interest, I will transfer it to my computer and make it available online. Take care.

[Fogeyman]

Personally, I'm partial to the Forbidden Broadway Chita Rivers vs. Rita Moreno version.

[Beagle On Stage]

Definitely all-girls. It's funny in a catty kind of way. Bringing in the guys bombards the viewer with racism complaints and is weird because of the guys dancing. Especially when they lift that one guy up as he sings in that weird voice. The Sharks are so tough throughout, why suddenly do this?

[musicaldukiefan]

i like the film version best. It gives the sharks a chance to do more since they don't get a song like the jets. I think it also give more energy to the song having the guys and girls dancing together. I also think bernardo and anita fighting about the racial differences works better.

[musicfinatic734]

personaly, i like them both. i agreee with all the comments about it.... it so hard to decide! While the stage version was wonderful, i did LOVE the movie's. though i cant decide, i think the best line in the song no matter who sings it has to be when Rosalita/Bernardo sings: "when i will go back to san juan?" and Anita replies: "When will you shut up and get gone?" oh yeah..... and the time anita is like "everyone there will ahve moved here!" i like the song either way.... personally, i think its the best song in the show besides gee officer krupke...... ok ill stop telling people my favorite things cause i really cant decide!!!!

[badbananahabit]

I didn't actually know about the all-girl version.
However, I feel that the male v female version is very fitting to the notions of the time.
The men were bitter about living in America, and dreamed of returning to PR.
Whilst the women were content to make the best of their situation.

This is obviously a drastic generalisation...

[kittengoespop]

I like the film version- boys vs. girls- better, because it gives the Sharks something to do, and humanizes them somewhat, shows their playful side. I was in a production of "West Side Story" as Toro, a Shark. And, having only been exposed to the film, thought that I would get to sing in "America". It was much to my dismay that I found out that it was supposed to be just girls. Our director had intentions of putting us in, but then didn't. Without this, the only time the Sharks sing is in "Tonight". We Sharks did NOTHING. Most of us had no lines, unlike the Jets. I would have killed to have been in this song and done something.

Also, I think the film version works better in the sense of a scene. The scene preceding the song has Bernardo and Anita arguing about which place is better. The sensible way for this scene to go would be for the two to spatter through dialogue, and then, for the argument to come to a head through song, and for everyone to take sides and join in the argument. But in the stage version, it feels random. The Sharks leave and then a random girl who has had no established character until now picks up where Bernardo left off. Seems very sporadic. But that's just my opinion. I obviously can't vote for the film version. Oh, well.

[B3TA07]

[mantarnia]

Yet another poll with only one choice showing. no wonder the girls only version has 100% of the vote

[Salome]

I find the male/female version not only fleshes out the bernardo character but creates a strong dynamic between anita and Nardo.

I find Sondheim's original stage lyrics for the f/f/ version a bit inane.

they actually offer both versions when you produce the show..i'd easily use the Nardo/Anita version.

[MsDivaKate]

[musicalsrokmysox]

i like the original version much better. they tried to keep so much of the lyrics of the original in the movie version so like half the lyrics don't even make sense. like: "12 in a room in america" that's taken from "hundreds of ppl in each room" from the original, it would make sense when making fun of puerto rico but not of usa

[Mr_X]

So you can use either one? I think we're probably leaning towards the original. First of all, our Sharks were casted as the "minorities/guys who don't dance that well" because they dance so much less than the Jets. So having it be guy/girl might be catastrophic for choreography. Second of all, our Bernardo is not the best singer. He was basically casted on his dancing abilities and his dark hair. And third, our Rosalita is really talented (she was our Carrie in Carousel last year), and I doubt they would cast her for that role if she wasn't doing that song.

I've seen both the movie and stage version, and both sides have good points. Although including the guys gives them more of a part in the show, they act out of character with their "Jet" antics and weird voices. Although putting Bernardo and Anita as the leads in that song broadens their relationship, having Rosalita sing it gives it a new possible part and a whole "girl power" number. Like someone said before, the guys control this show so much, let the girls have their own number. All I can say is, if your school does that version, and you're a Shark, I feel bad for you.

[Maid Marian]

I always thought "12 in a room in America" meant that the Puerto Rican immigrants would have to live 12 to a one - room apartment? Because of racism/bad conditions in America?

I prefer the version with the men in it, but that's the only way I've seen it done (school performance, blush )

[Dvarg]

Does anyone know which version is used in Assassins? I think it makes more sense and is more interresting when the song is critical towards America (as in the movie version) than against Puerto Rico (as in the stage version).

[Salome]

actually it is the film lyrics that byck sings..however its a very small part of the lyric.

[Dvarg]

[RainbowJude]

[Dvarg]

[RainbowJude]

[Y0UCANTST0PTHEBEAT]

We just watched the film version of West Side Story last week in my chorus class, and everyone was all into it and stuff. And then when it got to where the Sharks join in, everyone burst into laughter. I've always thought that it was kind of awkward and weird to have them singing in it. But oh well.

[Salome]

yjr lyics for the film's version of America are much better too.

and Nardo makes more sense than 2nd girl from the left Rosalita singinging it.

[MaryMag]

[le_moofin]

I loooove the original version (Anita vs. Rosalia). Of course, I'm a bit biased. My show choir did a Broadway theme last year and we did an entire section on West Side Story. Guess what our featured girls' song was =D We did small groups of girls in opposition (basically, the altos vs. sopranos) and I, being a soprano, sang the part of Anita. Lots of catty fun =3

[Catherine]

I've never seen the all girls version, but when I looked at the lyrics... urgh... all Rosalita's lyrics are basically. "bla bla bla bla bla San Juan" Well, I haven't seen it though, so I guess I'm a bit biased.

[Anita4ever]

I definitely like the song between Anita, Bernardo, and all of the Sharks MUCH better. It establishes the "tone" of the gang as a whole (much like "Cool" and "Krupke" do for the Jets), and it's really the only character development that Anita and Bernardo have.

[ConverseSneaker]

I personally like both ideas. Girl song vs. Bernardo and Anita both are neat. As for those disliking the Sharks being in the number...well, I do like this America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw0L6YG7zwA&feature=PlayList&p=38107D920FAFF498&index=23