Then he mentioned the play’s name: West Side Story. All I heard of it was about a boring Broadway show, with some Puerto Ricans characters dreaming of becoming part of the so-called American life, or something like that. No, this won't be fun. I thought.
Thanks to the cute usher for the photo!My friend and I arrived at DC's National Theater on time, and the place was crowded and very bright, everyone was excited since it was the premiere night. A very tall man welcomed my friend, and when I tried to shake his hand - he looked the other way and just ignored me. "Oh no he didn't..."
A group of people stood by my friend to say hello – you see, he is a public figure and people like him a lot (with obvious reasons) but sometimes those people seem to just ignore me. That fact is fine with me, as I am a shy person. But oh yes, I forgot to mention: he is white European and I am brown Native Peruvian. And yes, I am a very extra sensitive queer.
Once inside I decided to take a photo of my friend with the tall man. They were delighted. Then as my friend was invited to walk up to the stage -you know for the speech- he asked me to follow him at all times.
At some point a woman appeared out of nowhere, and she ordered me to follow her. No actually, she commanded me: “You need to come this way!” in a rude fashion. Since my friend had asked me not to leave him, I just kept walking. Once backstage, the lady kept chasing me saying that I had to go with her because "You can’t take photos backstage!" she yelled –again in a veeery rude way. After my friend nodded and during a very confusing moment, I followed the weird woman.
“Lady I am not here to take photos... I am on a damn date” I thought.
I ended up standing all the way in the back of the theater, around some TV cameras and a group of very handsome ushers. I thought: "Why the fuck am I here? I should be with my friend..." but it was too late. By then, the theater was full and my friend was about to come out.
The rude lady –she looked whiter and freaked out this time, and her curly black hair was hanging like fettuccine pasta- reminded me "This is a very serious production and you can’t just walk back there!" Get a life lady...
I was about to leave the place, but instead I convinced a very attentive usher to take my photo. It wasn't a good idea considering the lights were down, but I guess I was trying to get distracted from the negativity around me. This time, another woman walks towards me: "You need to sit down right now!"
The play starts, I am seating in the middle of the room, I feel very disturbed, disrespected. Few minutes later, my friend joins me: “You should have stayed with me, I met all the cast members back there…” I am angry.
Oh yes, the play
West Side Story is a play about an interracial love relationship set in New York City: he is white (Polish ?) and she is Puerto Rican. They meet in the middle of some disputes among gangs in the city – in the beginning of the 1950’s.
As I am seating there, I just realized that I am part of an interracial couple, sort of.
The play starts, the cast members look great but not convincing me of being NYC 50 years ago. The actors -again- are very sexy and in great shape, and they dressed like models from The Gap or Abercrombie and… I thought they didn’t look like NYC kids in the 1950's so much. Perhaps.
The stage design looks very elaborated and convincing, the lighting was very well done, the sound was alright – I got the impression the singers were lip singing though. Still, the voices were nice to hear.
The leading actress (Maria) is a white girl from Argentina -What? Isn't there a single talented Nuyorican actress in the whole US to do the role?... Not to discriminate, but imagine if Jennifer Lopez does Evita or any other play about a Buenos Aires girl, in Argentina. Streets blockades and protests would occur probably, like it happened years ago with Madonna and her silly movie.
The crowd –mostly white Americans- seemed to enjoy the play. They are quiet.
Suddenly, two Puerto Rican girls appear on stage and people starts laughing, for no obvious reason. Hahaha. Well, that’s how the whole play goes on: every time a Puerto Rican character talks, walks, moves, breathes – never mind what they do- people just laughs, they celebrate how funny ways those “latinos” are. How funny?
I am angrier. I am trying hard to be calm and to enjoy the moment, but there is nothing to enjoy.
After 15 minutes, I am ready to go. My friend asked me to stay: "They invited us for drinks at the intermission…" By us, he meant “me” but he is trying to be polite and inclusive...?
The play goes on. It's so childish: kids dancing and jumping around, following a script proper of some Walt Disney production. It is so machista: bad boys trying to be bad, while women are so submissive (I know, it used to be that way…) It is so racist: white people showing how tough they can be while making Puerto Ricans look dumb, violent and comical. Words like "spic" are mentioned shamelessly and the word "immigrant" is said as an insult. Disgusting, tough call - someone said.
The intermission starts, I followed my friend. We go into an office where an old white man invites the small group to come in and seat down – except me. It seems that some people just don’t see me – hello? They all get drinks, while I am standing at the door very invisible. My friend looks at me and he is aware of my misfortune (Can you do something?). I prefer to made a signal to him “I am leaving…”
As I walked out of the theater I run into some of the play’s team members. I shout "your play is racist" and rushed into the street. Man! I needed to breathe some air, I needed to free myself and get away from a party I was so uninvited. I had no business there.
Yes, it was an awful date and it was truly a Northwest DC side story: racism is still alive in America, especially in its capitol city where hypocrisy is a talent, and a shallow mind is a strength for some. Not for me.
I saw my friend the next day, we are still talking. But I am not going to another ridiculously-stupid-play with him. And no, I won't get over my race issues: I deserve the same respect that I give to people, regardless of how they look - it's how I was raised and I refuse to become like some "Americans" and accept their wrong doing.
And if you want my advice, I suggest you don't waste your money in this play, unless you love cheesy bad theater with great music.
By the way, for the fans (not me) the WSS has its own website.
Actualization
January 4, 2009.
I must add to this post the fact that my perception of the play is entirely personal and I can't force anyone to side with my concepts about race, identity, culture, art, music, and dance. I know what I like, even when I don't know everything.
But I want to explain why I wrote this post.
West Side Story is a cute version of interracial couples, a story that is Ok. for some as long as we (the non white people) play the roles set for us. For instance, would WSS be a success among white people, if the main male character was Puerto Rican, and the female was white? For some, it's a way to content everyone. But as time passes, the concept of racial equality has reached another perspective. What I see is that even in the most anti-racist attempts, there is still some hidden racism in America... and this happens as we enter the Obama-age.
The Washington Post published yesterday a front-page article titled "A West Side Story That Finally Speaks to Latinos". The article seems like an attempt of the Washingtonian-establishment to attract a favorable opinion about the play. It contains reviews from Puerto Ricans -mostly- who seem to be content with the fact that with this play, they are part of white people's world.
The article focused on the fact that the play is bilingual. So what? Most people of South, Central and Caribbean America, who live in the US, we speak and understand English. And don't say a thing about accents because everyone has one. And most of their US-born children hardly use Spanish. Things have changed, so adding bad Spanish (I feel pretty should be translated ME siento hermosa) is just one a meaningless thing.
Finally, the WP insists in calling us Latinos and Hispanics. It is a terrible mistake made by white Americans decades ago, and that eventually will fail. Latino means southern European, and Hispanic relates to the nationality of Spaniards.
In reality, most of the people from Mexico to Chile are descendants of the original Native peoples of this continent, one third are Black Afro descendants, and a minority are Europeans (not only Spanish), Arabs, Asians, east Indians, etc. We are a rainbow of cultures and races, but we are certainly not Latinos nor Hispanics only.
Some theater lovers think that because WSS has a great music and dancing content, it should be celebrated by all. I don't think so. Puerto Ricans are presented in this play -and all Spanish-speaking immigrants by association- as some bad ass gangsters and poor dumb kids who want to be like white people. It is bad theater presented in a fancy way. Just the way American history has being written, especially when it comes to racial issues.
The alternative? Respect, see each others as equals, and stop writing plays about other people's cultures without including their true voices.
.
HELLLLLOOOOO THATS HOW IT WAS BACK THEN IN THE 50'S AND 60'S WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BEING LATINO TO BEGIN WITH ARE YOU ONE YOURSELF AND WERE YOU BORN DURING THAT ERA I GUESS NOT MAYBE YOU SHOULD READ SOME OLD NEWS PAPER ARTICLES AND GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT AND RACISM WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND GO WATCH THE MOVIE YOU IDIOT
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteWriting in capitals means that you are shouting, which makes it unpleasant to read you and hard to take you seriously.
Yes, I a agree this play was about NYC back in the 1950's when it was Ok. to make fun of Puerto Ricans and other non-white people. We are about to start 2009 and this play is very passe, out of place, or it should be.
Being Latino? it means people and cultures from southern Europe. I am not Latino, I am Native American from Peru originally. My ancestors are the Muchik and Quechua native people.
A WSS movie? oh lord no thanks!
I appreciate your sensitivity to racial issues, however, I think you missed the basic premise of this play: love between two people with little chance of ending up together. That's a timeless and raceless theme. Sorry you could not appreciate the music...maybe you were caught up in interpreting the lyrics as silly and/or racist. I will be seeing this later today and I bet I will enjoy it. Your review was certainly one-sided and seemed to go from bad to worse as you perceived that the staff at the theatre did not treat you as well as you wanted.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: you are totally right, I couldn't appreciate the music because to me, it was boring and silly. And yes, my review is very personal, and I am sure not everyone will have the same perception especially if you are white, you won't notice racism when you are used to it as a way of living. And yes, the staff of the theater didn't treat me the way I wanted which is the way anyone should be treated: equally respected, no matter the color of your skin.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting a sharp analysis of this play. As a white girl growing up with no analysis of racism, when I first saw it I loved what I thought then was this tragic, romantic story. Now, looking back on what you describe and what I remember, I am horrified to see such disgusting racism enshrined in song. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I am outraged, more, by what you experienced attending the play, and I think it's really valuable that you shared what you did, despite vitriolic responses from some. To confront racism we have to see it first, no? Maybe your post helped others see it in the here and now. It helped me, anyway, so thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vera, good to hear someone didn't get offended by my personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the racism in the musical, as I haven't seen it. But remember that it's based on Romeo and Juliet, with the music written by Leonard Bernstein, the American (U.S.) master.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one of my favorite songs is featured in the musical: "Somewhere." Take a listen to this Tom Waits version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6BJLjTDtXo
Absolutely brilliant!
I saw the show New Years Eve. I was doing my best during the show not to fall asleep. They actors were boring, the show was slow and over all I was disappointed in all the songs that I have loved over the years. The show was much too vulgar both in words and actions, i.e. the scene of Tony climbing on Maria in bed. There were quite a few children in the audience, I would say 5 - 10 y/olds and older, and the sexual overtones were much too inappropriate. I felt Tony was VERY poorly cast. He was not close to being believable as a “tough guy”. It would be like casting Clay Aiken as the Terminator! Just not believable. Nothing about the wardrobe reminded me of the ’50’s in NY. The rape scene was totally out of control. And, I must have missed the point, but having the young boy “Kiddo” singing “Somewhere” made no sense to me and ruined the song. It was like someone who worked on the show brought their kid with them and let him have fun on stage. Horrible. What did I like about it? Nothing. And I must say, I am pretty easy going and enjoy almost every show I see.
ReplyDeleteI saw it New Years Eve. I Loved the show. The dancing and music was timeless and energetic, and particularly compelling today with so many hispanics as part of our country.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line in the movie, is "how many bullets, Chino?'. This is the denouement of the show. Unless you understand Spanish, you will lose this important part of the show.
It helps to be bilingual to really appreciate this version of West Side Story.
Anonymous 1: I felt the same way about this play. The show was boring and even though my perception was influenced by the bad experience I faced before it started, but I am honest when I say the play is bad. And I didn't see the sexual scene you mention, I was gone during the intermission.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 2: it's interesting to know that as a Hispanic, you identify with this show that is about Puerto Ricans. What part of Spain are you from?
I saw the movie a couple of days ago, it was way different than this play but still dumb and boring.
Happy new year everyone!
Carlos, you were treated badly that night, but that is entirely separate from the musical! I am amazed that you were so totally unaware of what the story was supposed to be about and that you managed to see it without noticing either the dancing or the music. Also, while it is hard not to think that the way you were treated had to do with your gender or skin color, in all likelihood, a white woman with your famous friend would have also been treated like a useless appendage by the folks who asked him to be there. If he is your partner and you have been out before, this is probably not a totally new experience. If this is a new relationship, that's sort of the way it goes when he's a celebrity and you are not. It's really up to him to make sure that you are included and treated with respect.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you are right. The way I was treated influenced my opinion about this play. But trust me, even after thinking carefully I see the script as boring and racist, and that's my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes I have been to several events with my friend, not necessarily as his partner. And no, I haven't been disrespected in this way at all, as I am very aware that he is 'the celebrity' as you put it. Yes he has always made sure I get a fair treatment and with this I want to finish this, because I won't write about it anymore.
Thanks for your comment.
Carlos, I think there's a difference between characters in a play being portrayed as racist and the play itself being racist.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet seen this production -- have tickets for a show two weeks from now -- but I know that the overall play is meant to be a protest of racism, not an affirmation of it. The underlying message is, Why shouldn't these two young people love each other, just because they're from different cultures?
The rape scene is another scene that's intended to underscore that the Jets are racists -- they refuse to listen to Anita just because she's a "PR."
In fact, Arthur Laurents, who wrote the book and directs this production, decided to make it bilingual when his longtime partner (52 years -- that's really a long time!) saw a production in Spanish in a Latin American country -- I'm sorry, I can't remember which one -- and came home and reported to Laurents that doing the play in Spanish made the Sharks the good guys.
Laurents himself admits that the Jets have been given far too much stage time in past all-English productions. That's why he decided he wanted to stage the Sharks' scenes in Spanish -- to heighten their effect.
From what I've read elsewhere, the change may not work the way it was intended, but you should at least know about Laurents's intent.
Languorous Lass: thanks for the great comment, I like your point of view in some way, but...
ReplyDeleteYes, several people have told me that WSS is the "Romeo and Juliet" against racism. But I have my own thoughts about it and I will add them today to this post.
About the play including Spanish, it is irrelevant to me. Most people from Latin America countries living in the US, speak English and their US-born descendants hardly use Spanish. Things have changed since the 1950's.
I think the reason for many of us not to see this play is because this it's a "gringo" version of Puerto Ricans, gangs included of course. Nothing pleasant to observe, no matter how romantic or dramatic it seems.
Let me say this, sometimes racism is rooted so deep within us, that we don't see the consequences of our actions. And this has happened to me as well.
Oh my Goodness. What an absolute fool you are. Do you know nothing about art and theatre. West Side Story is probably one of the most legendary musicals and was the best movie musical ever filmed. The score is by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and has some of the most incredible choreography by legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins.
ReplyDeleteYou clearly are some of the most boorish and unsophisticated individuals I have come across on the internet- and that's saying something! Maybe you should stick to something like "The Lion King" and leave real art alone. You probably think that Jackson Pollack paintings are just some paint dripped on a canvas too.
This is the most absurd group of dolts I have ever seen talk about a classic musical that has been performed in opera houses across the world.
Translation to Randy's lil speech: "We white people run all cultures of the world, ours is better than yours, therefore you are obligated to follow and obey when I say what art is good and what is not, we will portrait you the way we want and you will have to clap anyways..."
ReplyDeleteCarlos, dear, forget "The Lion King." You should stick to Dancing With the Stars and leave the real theater to the grown-ups.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a bad "date." Your "friend" should have watched out for you instead of leaving you behind while he went backstage to meet the cast. Then he accepts a seat and a drink while you stand in the doorway looking in. I'm happy to say I don't have friends like that.
ReplyDeleteOK, you didn't like the show. Thanks for sharing.
Alexandra, my friend was not aware of what was happening until the intermission, it was a very confusing evening. If you knew him, you would understand. However I appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDeleteOMG. I can't even breath right now.
ReplyDeleteI AM A Puerto Rican ACTRESS
I've WORKED ON SIX FEET UNDER
NIP TUCK, BURN NOTICE, THE DISTRICT AND SEVERAL FILMS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS
I CALL ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY COLOR, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF (COLOR)
BROWN AND BLACK IN PARTICULAR-
TO CRY OUT AGAINST SUCH OVERT RACIST CASTING SOLD BY SUBTLE TACTICS OF WHITE PRODUCERS WHO'S IGNORANCE AND NEGLIGENCE IS A SLAP IN THE FACE NOT ONLY TO BROWN AND BLACK HISPANICS EVERYWHERE BUT TO NUYORICANS IN PARTICULAR.
THIS IS A HORRIBLE REALITY AND A TESTIMONY -THAT RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL.
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND I CALL A BOYCOTT OF THIS PLAY AND ANYONE WHO HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
THIS WILL NOT GO TO BROADWAY!!!
SOMEBODY HELP ME PUT AN END TO THIS DISGUSTING TREATMENT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND ALL PERFORMERS OF COLOR ALL OVER THE WORLD.
ANYONE WHO DEFENDS THIS PLAY...IS SORELY MISSING THE POINT!
THE BRILLANCE OF THE SCORE AND CHOREOGRAPHY IS NOT THE POINT!!!!!!!
ITS THE INCREDIBLY RACIST PORTRAYAL AND PRESENTATION OF IT.
LISTEN TO YOURSELVES. STOP DEFENDING THE RACIST CASTING OF A WHITE BLUE EYED BLONDE AS AS PUERTO RICAN IMIGRANT IN NYC!!!! COME ON.....YOU KNOW THIS!!!
KEEP IT REEL AND CHECK YOURSELVES!!!The CAST IS PRIMARILY WHITE IN A PLAY ABOUT PUERTO RICAN GANGS IN NEW YORK CITY LOWER EAST SIDE!!!! PLEASE STOP DEFENDING IT!
wow. sorry i was not really yelling just passionate. i think i am going to throw up now.
iDalis De Leon