Jim Haring

I have been a fan of West Side Story since listening to the original recording of the musical. I saw it on the stage [summer stock and very good] as well as the 1961 movie, and I have other recordings of the music. I have been waiting for the latest version with a bit of anxiety, and was so happy when I saw it. It was amazing and fantastic. This time the actual actors were doing the singing [no dubbing], the Latino characters were actually Latino actors and dancers [not white folks in makeup], there were modifications in the story line and the dialogue which actually improved on the original [especially when Tony takes Maria on a date to the Cloisters in NYC], a new song was added and some were moved to different parts but this only adds to the story line, and Rita Moreno gets to appear in an updated movie version 60 years later. What's not fantastic about this? For long time fans of West Side Story, be prepared for some changes but relax and enjoy the new version.