Linda Federowicz

In my opinion the original West Side Story was a contemporary opera/ballet that was very subtle, simplistic, intimate with a lot of passion. The newer version was a loud flashy musical with too many unnecessary scenes that made it drag, was way too long, too graphic, too bloody....could have done without the scene where Riff buys the gun. The scene at the police station was unrealistic and could have been cut in half. Didn't need the subway scene. Didn't need brand new polished cars etc....too complicated.