- Awesome Music: Sondheim doesn't think very highly of the lyrics he wrote for this, but we disagree with him. The best example is probably the "Tonight" reprise, particularly when all five parts come together at the end. On paper, it's incredibly chaotic. In practice, it's positively GLORIOUS.
- The very end, when Maria manages to shame the Sharks and Jets into putting aside their differences. Alas, it's too late for Tony.
- In that same scene when she screams at Shrank not to touch Tony. And for once, the bigoted jerk keeps his mouth shut and steps back. The grudging shred of respect he has for her in that moment is evident.
- Anita is a badass in "America," telling off Rosalia in the play and Bernardo in the movie for dissing the titular country in which she feels free and liberated with flawless sass, while dancing like a mofo with her girlfriends. Said friends get awesome points in this song too, for backing up Anita and sassing right alongside her. And that's not even getting started on the song's dance sequence.
- At the same time, Bernardo gives just as good as he gets, dishing out hard truths about the way America treats their people. And much like Anita, his pals also assists, with them showing off some insane dancing.
- While the show rightfully points out that their actions are wrong, you gotta give Bernardo, Riff, and their respective gangs credit, they're excellent fighters.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Awesome/WestSideStory
FollowingAwesome / West Side Story
Go To
