Cold Steel and Boiling Blood

In tragic stories like these two, naturally their must be inadvertent casualties. In these works this slot is filled by the Mercutio and Riff respectively.
The quarrel that leads to Mercutio's death in Act III Scene I of R&J is the inspiration for the iconic rumble in WSS.

SIMILARITIES:
- In R&J Romeo's interference gives Tybalt the chance to stab Mercutio
In WSS Tony's interference holds back Riff from finishing Bernardo and allows Bernardo to stab Riff.
- Both Romeo and Tony kill Tybalt and Bernardo respectively out of revenge.
-In both situations there is a clear sense of disrespect from both factions; in WSS Bernardo refuses to shake hands with Diesel, and in R&J they use their words to berate each other.
- It is implied in both shows that the death blows are inflicted accidentally as the fight escalates.




DIFFERENCES
- In R&J the fight happens outside in broad daylight on a very hot day.
 In WSS the rumble takes place in secret under a bridge at night
- In R&J the rumble is actually planned and agreed upon until things get out of control
In WSS the fight is impromptu; dueling ego's getting out of hand. 




As much as I hate to say so, I do agree with Houghton to a certain extent. If you look at Riff in comparison to Mercutio: they are both strong, stubborn, and tough and although there is something deeply endearing about Riff, I am hurt more when Mercutio dies in R&J. He has razor sharp wit which makes you curse his impulsiveness. The fact that the rumble in WSS is planned while the fight in R&J is not really makes a difference as well. Because Mercutio is killed in broad daylight the fight is spontaneous, suspenseful and forbidden not to mention heartbreaking when Mercutio goes on about how he will be fine when he knows that he will soon die and curses both sides with his dying breath. In WSS as soon as a rumble is announced, you know that someone is going to die and as the sequence ends with both teams retreating into the darkness from the police, Everything happens so fast that the scene doesn't elicit the same air of sympathy but more of a frantic anxiety.

The 2 scenes though similar, are vastly different and they have the power to command the same breadth of emotion in different ways; however, despite the lack of song and dance, I prefer the parallel in Romeo and Juliet.




Bonus: Ballet of Romeo and Juliet (best of both worlds) Watch Mercutio die ever so gracefully...

"The comparisons of language could be multiplied, and always, of course Shakespeare is bound to win.”  - Norris Houghton 13

As we discussed in class on this ever-so-tiring subject, many people sit on either side of this argument. I, on the other hand, don't think there should be sides to it. For the direct reason being that Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a straight play focused on the beauty on words and literary schemes. Bernstein's West Side Story is a musical with many relations, obviously, to Shakespeare's work, but still remains a musical. Musicals focus on story, choreography, music, and everything else that makes a Theatrical Production exciting to watch. 


They are completely different works of art with the respectable relation between them of the story. Shakespeare did not write music, Bernstein did not write literature. Therefore, a comparison of these two works, in my opinion is comparing The Bible to a Britney Spear's song. They are completely different, and arguing which is better is simply pointless because of the fact that there is almost no way to compare these two separate works.


I believe the argument of which is better is far to generic. To argue something this opposite, one must be far more specific. 


Thank you.

West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet

To be perfectly honest, I didn't realize that West Side was based on Romeo and Juliet when I had first seen them both. It never occurred to me to compare them as I never really put them into the same category. Looking back now, I can see the similarities and where West Side Story comes from. Truth be told, West Side Story does not have to lean on Romeo and Juliet for validity of story at all, it stands alone. It's almost insulting to the work behind WSS to compare it to R&J as if the piece depended on it.

Both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are based around the same theme of star-crossed lovers battling their family's notions of love and rightful place, but after that, they differ from one another in so many different ways that they are impossible to compare. One, obviously came before to influence the other; however, when it comes to placement, language, scope, era and contemporary issues, they are worlds apart. I find that the only true commonality (apart from the story line's progression as being similar) is found in the struggle that all the characters face through out their lives.

Personally, I'm a Shakespeare girl 99% of the time, but the more contemporary scene of West Side is much more relate able to me than people falling head over heels in love at age 14.

A point where West Side Story soars on its own is seen in the song "In America" where racism is discussed. Romeo and Juliet has none of this kind of dealing with contemporary issues (in our view of contemporary. WSS takes the conflict further where race is concerned.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that viewing both pieces together doesn't uncover, for me, as much as seeing them on their own. I have to wonder though; we have been talking about Romeo and Juliet for 400+ years. Will West Side Story do the same?

Dances with Sharks

ALRIGHTY FOLKS, LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD. As you are aware, 2 scenes will be discussed and compared up in this blog post.

Scene 1: West Side Story's gym dance.

ba-BAM --->

Scene 2: Romeo and Juliet's ball.

ba-ba-BAMM -->

Wait, was that Paul Rudd? What the hell? Paul Rudd plays Paris in Romeo+Juliet. Alrighty then. HOORAY FOR LEARNING NEW THINGS!

Anyways, on to the main event. These scenes are important, as they are the first meeting's of the lovers.
Time period and setting are clearly worlds apart in the 2 versions. That being said, the basic skeleton of the scenes remain intact and the same. There are Jets/Montagues and Sharks/Capulets dancing, and the couple meets for the first time. They fall in love on sight (friggin' kids these days), kiss, and drama ensues. Baz Luhrmann's modern take on the Romeo and Juliet, along with WSS, is a great example of the flexibility of the show. Shakespeare's work was so dedicated to the language, that the shows themselves can adapt to virtually any setting and still work. New York in 1957? Yup. The 90's? You bet your bonnet.

As I draw this post to a close, it has occurs to me that I can't think of a way to give this post a satisfying, non abrupt ending.

Romeo and Juliet vs. West Side Story

Hey beautiful people!!

So as discussed in class, I adore both of these shows. I don`t exactly love comparing them because I think they are both BRILLIANT works of art, I did :D

Firstly, I`d actually like to start by comparing how people actually bash the two works. The usual argument for Romeo and Juliet is, "Oh they are sooo stupid, they barely met and they are getting married!" or "Juliet is, like,12 and shes getting married?!?!" First off, silly bashers, back in those times, if you are married by 12-16.. You're considered an old maid.. so really.. enough of this madness. Secondly, Romeo and Juliet is always criticized for their whirlwind romance, yet the EXACT SAME THING happens in West Side.. just saying.

Now enough of this negitvity. I'd like to discuss one of my favourite songs in west side.. "A Boy Like That."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs6ko6KF6a0

Such a fantastically under-rated song!!!! I love it!!

I never actually realised it until our study of the two plays, but Anita is based off of Romeo and Juliet's "Nurse."

In the song, Anita is trying to get Maria to forget Tony. She believes he is not good for her because he killed her brother, was banished, ect..

In the play, the nurse does virtually the same,
 "Faith, here it is. Romeo is banished... I think it is best you married with the County." Act 3,sc.5,225-230.

The only difference is that Maria (clearly the more modern response) out right refuses to leave Tony, whereas Juliet pretends to agree, but secretly defys her nuse.

Thats my take on the plays and I'm glad I was able to learn more in depth on both shows!

-Sophie Leroux

Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story: The Balcony vs. The Fire Escape

This is a particularly interesting topic, since, as has been said before me, these two plays are approached in such entirely different ways.  This is, of course, partially due to the time in which each was written, with Romeo and Juliet coming from the mid-16th century, while West Side Story was written in 1961.  However, there is no denying that WSS borrows heavily from R&J in theme and storyline - it could be very easily argued that every single scene in WSS has a brother in R&J.

One such scene is the famous balcony scene in R&J, during which Romeo and Juliet meet each other in secret to reaffirm the love that they feel for each other.  Their love is forbidden because of the fact that their families are warring against each other.  The situation in WSS is very similar - Tony and Maria are forbidden to love each other because Maria is associated with the Sharks and Tony with the Jets (the modern equivalent of the Capulet and Montague families).  A line which particularly strikes me is one from Maria, just before they sing 'Tonight' - "but you are not one of us, and I am not one of you."  This is practically the exact message that Juliet delivers to Romeo from her balcony, "Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague."

However, a difference presents itself with the situations that the lovers are under.  Romeo and Juliet are in exact parallel with each other - they are both young children, heirs to wealthy families with long standing prejudices against each other.  Both character's share in these prejudices to all of the family with the exception of each other.  In WSS, however, the thing that separates Tony and Maria is entirely based on racial dividing lines.  At the beginning of the play, Tony isn't even a member of the Jets anymore.  He bares no ill will to the Sharks or any of Puerto Rican descent.  This makes for an even sadder ending when you think of it.  If they could only have realized that race doesn't matter, then no-one need have died at all.

I also must say that Maria is a much stronger character than is Juliet.  Even though she has literally lost the love of her life, she does not kill herself.  She uses the last moments of the play to act as a moral compass, forcing the Sharks and Jets to realize what they have done sheerly for the sake of racial prejudices.  She walks away from the thing alive which, to me, is infinitely stronger than Juliet killing herself.  She will act as a constant reminder to everyone as the consequences of their actions, hopefully preventing such things from happening ever again.

As to preference, I honestly can't say one way or the other.  I do, however, believe, as Makayla has said before me, that Norris Houghton is incorrect in his assumption that Shakespeare's language always wins out.  I believe that WSS and R&J both use language in ways that allow for those in the audience to grasp the consequences of what is happening in each play, not only on a literal level, but also on an emotional level.  I think that this is proven simply by the fact that they have both entered so deeply into the psyche of the world, and will, in my opinion, remain there in the foreseeable future.

Also, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHoaPLO6Zd8

It's an excellent version of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo & what's her name VS West Side Story!

So, I'm not a big fan of Romeo and Juliet. I'm not saying it is a bad play/show/movie, I simply don't enjoy it. Something about "star-crossed lovers" killing themselves doesn't really appeal to me. West Side Story is more enjoyable, in my opinion. I will discuss the opening of each movie.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get any clips of the newer Romeo And Juliet with Leo, so the older one will have to do.

Alright, right off the bat West Side Story takes the win. At the beginning of Romeo & Juliet you see a guy telling you what's going on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6zKB6_mo_M I found it hard to take this seriously because of the over-dramatic narrator. A few minutes in, you see a small confrontation between the two gangs that is initiated by a gesture of "biting one's thumb". Back in the day that was a great offence, but to me he could have been chewing his finger nails. If you will, go to 3:18 and just listen to what he says. Was it funny? That is for you to decide. Anyway, what I do actually like about this is that the Capulet actually killed a Montague. In West Side Story, no one dies. Later on in the clip, at 7:30, the leader scorns his people with great diction and vocabulary. Frightening, no?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhqiyGwJyM

Go to 6:35 for the actual beginning. Not the toughest looking gang around, but they sure do have an actual appropriate attitude. This group of roughians aren't going to the neighborly bakery to buy a loaf of bread. They mean business. Sure, they're dancing in the streets. But it's THEIR street and they make it known by jumping around while looking cool. How else do you show your dominance? This beginning is so much more interesting to me because it doesn't have any unnecessary dialogue, gestures or costumes. 

To me, actions are more meaningful and speak louder than words. In the beginning of Romeo And Juliet, one of the Capulet tells the other that he will back him up. For the sake of the audience it makes sense to have lines like that, but in West Side Story there is no such dialogue at the beginning. In truth, there is no dialogue in the beginning! Having an unspoken loyalty and support in each other draws me into the movie.

Obviously there are similarities between the two. It's two gangs fighting each other fighting for their territory. As well of a love story, but that is just a whole other discussion entirely.

I think that both openings set a good tone/mood for the rest of each show. Each one shows the rivalry that they have, the era, environment and what they're capable of. From swords to zip guns, each one has their own type of arsenal.

Romeo and Juliet Vs. West Side Story

Alright to start off, I must disagree with Norris Houghton. This is because I do not think that there is any winner between Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. I believe that they are two separate masterpieces even though they share a similar story and as we discovered from our discussion in class, their is not one that is preferred by more people over the other. They are equally appreciated. Personally, I would rather see WSS simply because I am a sucker for the spectacle of the singing and dancing. I feel that it conveys strong emotion for me and I also appreciate the choreography and what not.

My favorite scene in WSS story is the rumble. Why?? Because it is boss. By this I mean that it is the part when everything comes together and has the most tension. As an audience member, I can remember being on the very edge of my seat and not knowing where to look. With all of the gang members, it is more visually impressive. I love the stage combat choreography that is required and I am so impressed when it does not look like choreography at all. The scene when Romeo and Paris are fighting in R + J leaves a little something to be desired for me. I just feel that the level of excitement and tension is only slightly raised from that of the rest of the show. Also, having only two people on stage feels a tiny bit bare because the focus is so stationary. Another reason why I feel that the rumble is so successful in my eyes, is that there is so much hype made about it during the course of WSS. Mr. Bernstein is pretty alright too which makes the scene that much better.

Watch the video it is the best thing you will ever do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJCGhwRF1u8

The Complimentary Pieces

In class we were discussing whether we preferred Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story. I believe that though there is a benefit in comparing the works, they are two completely different forms of telling a similar story and thus one is not better than the other; they are simply complementary.

One thing that I found interesting is that West Side Story happens to be a lot more specific when it comes to creating a world. Romeo and Juliet is set in 16th Century Verona; however it is easy to adapt and place this script in another location. There have been many productions that have done this, especially in modern times. A director's decision to do this could be based in the idea that it will either fortify a theme, help connect the audience with it, associate it to modern concepts, etc. This does not always work. For example, there was a production that reflected conflicts in the Middle East by making the Capulets and Montagues into Muslims and Jews. It has also inspired people to re-invent how the story is told. For example, when I mounted it, I had 8 actors play the various roles (roughly 25) and there has been a version where four Catholic schoolboys secretly play with the text as a way to explore their sexualities. This would not be possible with West Side Story. The gangs, the time period, the locations, and the characterizations are all very specific. This is due to the score, the script and the concept. There isn't anything wrong with this specificity, but it makes people know what to expect when seeing West Side Story. Audience members have expectations when seeing Shakespeare's work, but a surprise is welcome.

When it comes to theatricality, both versions are theatrical in their own respective way. Let's look at the song "Something's Coming." This is such an iconic song. In it, Tony expresses his prediction that he believes the unexpected will happen. He isn't certain and yet he is excited about it. This happens all before he meets Maria at the dance and after he has been convinced to go to the dance. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo says words that express this same emotion at the close to Act 1 Scene 4. He hasn't met Juliet yet at the Ball, but has been convinced to attend. He says:

I fear too early, for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels, and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But he that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen. (106-113)

That poetry inspired the song. However, just because it inspired the song does not make either piece better than the other - they are two different mediums. As an actor, I would rather perform in Romeo and Juliet as I believe it allows the actor to let the text take them on an emotional roller coaster. There is excitement in performing the dances and songs in West Side Story, however I believe that the raw emotion is easier to play with in Shakespeare's text. Especially if as an actor one takes the time to observe the strong ground-working laid out for them to the most minute technical thing (ex. Romeo becomes better as speaking sonnets throughout the play). As an audience member, both shows are exhilarating and exciting in their own respective ways. As a student examining the pieces, I think it is best to note how they compliment each other and allow us to understand the other piece with greater capacity.

R+J/WSS - Thoughts on the Ball/Gym and Themes

Arguably one of the most important moments in both of these stories is that fateful moment where the star-crossed lovers star's cross.

When their eyes meet and this happens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuJuJPDwmxI&feature=related

This moment is probably going to be typed about a few times, so I'll try to ramble on for a bit and see if anything new has occurred!

R+J - Sets this in the house of Capulet, at their family ball. It is in masquerade, which makes their first 'eye-meet love fest' almost an innocent mistake. Their identities are unknown to each other, meaning their love is based nothing on what their facial beauty or possible identity is. It is among their family (So the Capulets believe - and the concealed intruders are also in high spirits at their successful intrusion.) so they are at ease, and it is pretty much supposed to be a classy night of Shakespearean family fun.

WSS - Sets there scene in a Gymnasium. Gym Dances = Always. Tense. There is no saving the young from the Gymnasium dance. There are tensions, raging hormones, and there are always two guys (or girls - which are terrifying) who are always on the edge of a fight. So, naturally for WSS, right form the get go, this is a battle. They do not conceal who they are, through their dance they are showing off their culture and trying to one-up the other side of the dance floor. When Tony and Maria lock eyes here, they are on opposite sides of the gym. I do think it's a lovely moment, and I'm a ttttoootttaaalll sucker for the 'I loved you at first sight' moment in musicals, however, my analytical mind, when put to the task, likes to think 'What did you see?' The beautiful person across the room who automatically is off-limits?

BOTH - Both scenes create the beautiful juxtaposition that I love about this moment. Having a boisterous, rollicking good time surrounding them, and a beautiful, intimate moment at the heart of it all.

Also - Fun fact - 'Specs' from Newsies is Baby Joh in this clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_lbeersIS4

I think big differences between these two scenes is that the two shows central themes are quite different. R+J's message is focused on the powers of young love, and how parents/elders can learn from those that are younger then you, while WSS is based solely on not judging someone based on their race. The absences of the masks, a presented face, is an example on something affected by the differentiating root theme.

Do I have a preference between shows/scenes? Not really. They are similar stories, with beloved characters and beautiful moments, but the story they are trying to tell, the message they are trying to communicate is different enough that I separate them into two different entities in my head.

-Paige F.

PS. THESE.

Web Site Story - YouTube/College Humour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPb8g8Jl6I

Ro-meme-o and Juliet

http://images.dailydawdle.com/Romeo-and-Juliet-Rage-Comic.jpg