West Side Story ending question *spoiler*

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:20pm

The end of WSS has Maria living at the end, does anyone know if there was ever any intention of having the show end in the same way as Romeo and Juliet?

Updated On: 6/22/08 at 04:20 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:22pm

This is actually a good question.

[SgtDonut]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:23pm

Hmm...That's kind of odd.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:23pm

PART TWO: MARIA'S REVENGE!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:24pm

I remember reading somewhere that the show was originally supposed to end with Maria killing herself as well, but it was ultimately decided that Maria would live. I can't remember the specific reasons, and I can't remember who made the choice, I'm sure other people on the board can expand on this, but yes, at one point the show was going to end like ROMEO AND JULIET.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:45pm

Spoiler? Is there someone on the face of the earth that doesn't know Tony lives and Maria dies in WSS?

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:49pm

Haha this is very true Lynne, but just in case some didn't know about Maria slipping in that puddle while she was running to Tony's arms.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:50pm

Oh, there would certainly be people who would complain about this being a spoiler.

That's a great question, btw. I've always wondered that, myself.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:58pm

Well, the Wikipedia reckons the original ending had Maria shooting Chino then herself, but it's marked with [citation needed], which generally means they don't have a link to back that up. So... eh. Who knows? I do like the Wikipedia, but it is only as reliable as the people who toy with it. *shrugs*

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:16pm

LOL Lavieboheme3090! I SO forgot about that puddle!

Weez? The one accurate thing about Wikipedia is that it isn't very accurate.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:18pm

I like how you're essentially telling me something I already acknowledged in my post. Well done.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:47pm

That is an interesting question. I wonder who made the decision that she didn't kill herself. Maybe they just thought it would be too damn depressing.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:51pm

It would have made the show more dramatic and depressing
Updated On: 6/22/08 at 05:51 PM

[nitsua]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:53pm

Like it needs more drama!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:53pm

That it would have. But seriously depressing.

JMO.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:58pm

Wiki also says that during previews it had an almost identical end scene. "The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences."

That would have made the ending more depressing AND boring.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 5:59pm

Yeah, that would have been kinda stupid. And totally unrealistic.

[nitsua]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:10pm

So rival gangs dancing and singing in the streets is just sorta unrealistic?

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:22pm

"So rival gangs dancing and singing in the streets is just sorta unrealistic?"

Point taken. I guess unrealistic wasn't really the word I was looking for.

[nitsua]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:27pm

I'm just teasing...

I actually think it could work out. There's no doubt that Rita Morena had the intensity to stop it. It'd be a very intense monologue, with her crying and screaming, instead of the calm and collected Prince speech.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 6:33pm

She could have pulled that off yeah.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 7:28pm

I actually think it's sadder with Maria living. They're separated for the rest of her lifetime

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 8:02pm

'The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences."

What adults? The officers? Doc? Or would everyone's parents suddenly show up and lament the lack of after school programs?

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 8:28pm

Lavieboheme3090 - I think you are the wittiest person on this board. I really do LOL reading your posts!

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 9:54pm

SporkGoddess, I agree! I think the idea of her living on without him after seeing him shot in front of her is so heartbreaking.