I have been obsessed with both the soundtrack and film since I was a kid many many years ago now. Nothing I’d ever seen or heard before had moved me so much ,I remember I was so sad for days after ‘the rumble’ and its consequences 😪
Was so happy when the remake came out for new generations, hugely impressed with it too ..dragged one of my daughters along to watch and against all expectations she now shares that obsession ☺️
The “immigrant experience” is, by any measure, the “American experience”. To assert otherwise is to simultaneously lie through one’s teeth and to talk out of one’s arse. The coupling of ignorance and cruelty on display daily in this, my country, is, in general, abominable. That so many seem at liberty to spew so much nitrile and direct so much violence towards the people who have, traditionally, been a large part of what has made America a beacon of hope for so many all around the world. I’m afraid that ship has sailed. Would that my concern is proven unfounded and that we, as a nation and as a people, may find our way back to a position of true strength and earned respectability.
Many years ago someone staged a production of "West Side Story" here in Latvia. It was in an arena which was usually used for tractor pulls and such events. Huge stage, actors needing to run back and forth, and the biggest problem was that Latvian actors are excellent actors and would win all kinds of prizes if they didn't live in a small country with a small language, but they absolutely do not have the chops to do justice to Leonard Bernstein's score. It was quite awful, and my friend and I left after the first act. That said, I recognize the great cultural cachet of the musical, and so thanks as always to Mr. Rather for reminding us of something wonderful.
We need to give credit where's credit is due ... George Chakiris, who played Bernardo, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. My mother was also a racist. I remember as a child we were standing in line waiting to check out at a grocery store. She observed a black man with a white woman and commented she should stay with her own kind. I responded that, maybe, he treated her better than her own "kind." She punished me when we got home but she never made that type of comment in my presence again. That was probably 60 years ago and I've never regretted making that statement.
Thank you Dan. This is great!! But beware; the unhinged US bully president may come after you thinking that you're encouraging illegal immigration. Hehe
Westside Story was on Broadway at about the time I was born. I didn't see it. We were poor and lived in the poor part of town. Then we moved to the country. My parents were bigots. It was no secret. I was 9, turning 10, and I didn't have a word for their behavior. I just knew it was bad. Still, I have not seen a production or either of the movies. I eventually learned what a bigot was and did not agree with my parents. My dad was full of anger about any and everything. My mom would talk to me about it. I determined they were wrong and vowed that my children would never see color. Now that they are grown, my children still do not see color. Well, they see it enough to defend it. They have seen enough, even in the rural adjacent town, that they reject bigotry based on color, creed, disability, or gender. I am proud that I was able to give them that. I did not speak of differences and they did not learn them. They learned compassion for special needs children, compassion for animals, and indifference to color or gender.. They have people in their lives who are different. One of mine is slightly different himself.
Thank you for sharing this, Dan. I love musicals and I will discover this one thanks to you!
I’ll never forget the look on Maria’s face when she picked up Chino’s gun and fired with her words. Violence has been the “American” way since its inception. Now, we have concentration camps where Anita today might be.
That ending is interesting, moving, tragic....and somewhat hopeful. The "Don't you touch me" with police officers falling back... the respect for her grief. The way she points out the hate, says they've taught her to hate....but doesn't entirely give in to it.
I'm wishing for the respect (look at her power - don't you TOUCH me) to develop with all officers of law in the US - immigration or not. I'm looking for "sides" to respect the humanity and dignity of each person in the world. Art does help empathy live. I hope great artists are looking for ways to help us with this.
thank you for this, it sure is timely, going to watch the original tonight, I haven't seen it in ages, and then maybe I'll watch the newer on tomorrow, the lyrics of America had me in tears and Rita Moreno, what a treasure!!!!!
I have been obsessed with both the soundtrack and film since I was a kid many many years ago now. Nothing I’d ever seen or heard before had moved me so much ,I remember I was so sad for days after ‘the rumble’ and its consequences 😪
Was so happy when the remake came out for new generations, hugely impressed with it too ..dragged one of my daughters along to watch and against all expectations she now shares that obsession ☺️
The “immigrant experience” is, by any measure, the “American experience”. To assert otherwise is to simultaneously lie through one’s teeth and to talk out of one’s arse. The coupling of ignorance and cruelty on display daily in this, my country, is, in general, abominable. That so many seem at liberty to spew so much nitrile and direct so much violence towards the people who have, traditionally, been a large part of what has made America a beacon of hope for so many all around the world. I’m afraid that ship has sailed. Would that my concern is proven unfounded and that we, as a nation and as a people, may find our way back to a position of true strength and earned respectability.
Many years ago someone staged a production of "West Side Story" here in Latvia. It was in an arena which was usually used for tractor pulls and such events. Huge stage, actors needing to run back and forth, and the biggest problem was that Latvian actors are excellent actors and would win all kinds of prizes if they didn't live in a small country with a small language, but they absolutely do not have the chops to do justice to Leonard Bernstein's score. It was quite awful, and my friend and I left after the first act. That said, I recognize the great cultural cachet of the musical, and so thanks as always to Mr. Rather for reminding us of something wonderful.
We need to give credit where's credit is due ... George Chakiris, who played Bernardo, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. My mother was also a racist. I remember as a child we were standing in line waiting to check out at a grocery store. She observed a black man with a white woman and commented she should stay with her own kind. I responded that, maybe, he treated her better than her own "kind." She punished me when we got home but she never made that type of comment in my presence again. That was probably 60 years ago and I've never regretted making that statement.
Thank you Dan. This is great!! But beware; the unhinged US bully president may come after you thinking that you're encouraging illegal immigration. Hehe
Westside Story was on Broadway at about the time I was born. I didn't see it. We were poor and lived in the poor part of town. Then we moved to the country. My parents were bigots. It was no secret. I was 9, turning 10, and I didn't have a word for their behavior. I just knew it was bad. Still, I have not seen a production or either of the movies. I eventually learned what a bigot was and did not agree with my parents. My dad was full of anger about any and everything. My mom would talk to me about it. I determined they were wrong and vowed that my children would never see color. Now that they are grown, my children still do not see color. Well, they see it enough to defend it. They have seen enough, even in the rural adjacent town, that they reject bigotry based on color, creed, disability, or gender. I am proud that I was able to give them that. I did not speak of differences and they did not learn them. They learned compassion for special needs children, compassion for animals, and indifference to color or gender.. They have people in their lives who are different. One of mine is slightly different himself.
Thank you for sharing this, Dan. I love musicals and I will discover this one thanks to you!
Thank you - your reasons to smile always make me smile - hurrah!
Love it! Thank you!
Once again, thank you.
They are all smarter than the orange thing for they all speak and sing more than one language.
I’ll never forget the look on Maria’s face when she picked up Chino’s gun and fired with her words. Violence has been the “American” way since its inception. Now, we have concentration camps where Anita today might be.
That ending is interesting, moving, tragic....and somewhat hopeful. The "Don't you touch me" with police officers falling back... the respect for her grief. The way she points out the hate, says they've taught her to hate....but doesn't entirely give in to it.
I'm wishing for the respect (look at her power - don't you TOUCH me) to develop with all officers of law in the US - immigration or not. I'm looking for "sides" to respect the humanity and dignity of each person in the world. Art does help empathy live. I hope great artists are looking for ways to help us with this.
WOW!!!! this was truly awesome, Dan!!! Thank you!!!
thank you for this, it sure is timely, going to watch the original tonight, I haven't seen it in ages, and then maybe I'll watch the newer on tomorrow, the lyrics of America had me in tears and Rita Moreno, what a treasure!!!!!
*one
That song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it! Bravo! Muy bueno!
Thank you for sharing!
Ahhh❤, West Side Story is my all time favorite. I saw the movie when it came out. Thank you, Dan❤