So, this news is a bit late, but it’s still interesting from a cultural perspective.

Producers of the revival of West Side Story decided to change the lyrics of two songs which were performed in Spanish.

According to a press statement,”‘A Boy Like That’ is now predominately sung in English to the original lyrics and selected dialogue and lyrics in ‘I Feel Pretty’ have reverted to English.” However, the Spanish lyrics in “Tonight,” sung by the Sharks, still remain.

Writer-director Arthur Laurents said this in a statement: “From the outset, the Spanish in West Side Story was an experiment. It’s been an ongoing process of finding what worked and what didn’t, and it still continues.”

According to the show’s producers:

West Side Story transports the achingly beautiful tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950’s New York City. Two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the ‘Jets’ and the ‘Sharks.’ Their struggle to exist together in a world of violence, hate and prejudice is one of the most heart-breaking, relevant and innovative musical masterpieces of our time.

I wonder what caused this change? Perhaps the Spanish lyrics didn’t g over too well with audiences? For long-time fans of the musical, I could imagine it might be a bit confusing, such a large change. What do you think?

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