Some of you may have already heard the infamous "poison boot" story, but I want to tell it to you just in case. Several different versions of this story have floated around the internet, but here is the version I heard from a friend of mine who supposedly heard it from the director of the actual production. Apparently, someone had misplaced the gun prop, so Chino couldn't shoot Tony. Out of desperation, he pulled off his boot and yelled, "POISON BOOT!" He then stuck his boot on Tony's arm. At first, Tony and Maria looked at him as if to say, "Are you kidding?" Then they decided to just go along with it and continue the scene. After Tony died, Maria took the boot and started threatening everyone with it saying, "Is there enough poison for you and you and you." What was supposed to be a very serious scene became a hysterical comedy.

I love it ! at least the actors had some talents at improvisation...

A production I saw years back in a community theatre had an equally messed up ending. the actor playing Tony took sick before the fina scene and was in the bathroom and failed to come out for the end..so Chino shot Maria instead!

How did they handle the ending after that?

IF I remember correctly Shrank arrested Chino and the jets and sharks carried maria off stage. it was really fu cked up lol

lol, thank you for sharing the 'poison boot' story. I had never heard that one before, and now I don't think I'll ever again be able to watch that scene without laughing a little!