Much of West Side Story, including the way the chorus is structured, is balanced around the two poles represented by Tony and Maria. As such, the Jet girls and the Shark boys are less prominent than the Jet boys and the Shark girls.

Later days
David

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.

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.

Yeah having Nardo do it makes much more sense. When I'm singing it, I feel like Anita's only having this argument with Rosalia to prove something to Bernardo anyway. Anita and Nardo just got done arguing about how things are different in America and all the sudden Anita and Rosalia continue the argument. I end up directing half the song at Nardo - cuz she's more pissed at Nardo at the moment than Rosalia.

my take on it. : )

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

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.

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.

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=sw0L6YG7 ... 8&index=23

I Haven't seen the stage version but I really like the film vesion. the sharks don't have any other numbers to themself and I like how the Girls and Guys mock each other.

Either way "America" is one of the most annoying songs in the show. I know I will be blasted for it...but I HATE that song.... it sticks in your brain and wont leave like some horrible cancer. The show's run has been over for a week now and I still hear the mousy chorus,

"I like to be in America...ok by me in America..." uggh...leave my brain!

Yeah, I love how they have the boys in it in the movie... can't have too much of the guy who plays Bernardo... ow ow
lol

Personally, I prefer the first version and I heard the film version first.
Everything about the film version annoys me. The singers, the lyrics...and that butch woman saying "Everyone there will have moved here," just makes me cringe. Ugh.
First all the way. :]