CUTS

Not every song that was written for West Side Story is in the final script.
Here are some casualties from the rehearsal and try-out period.

Sincere thanks to our good friends at The Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide
which is the source of much of the information on this page.





West Side Story

Atom Bomb Baby Mambo
cut; however some music was later incorporated into "The Dance at the Gym"



Kids Ain't (Like Everybody Else)
trio for A-rab, Baby John and Anybodys cut from Act One



Mix
cut; music was later used in Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms"   *



My Greatest Day!
cut; early version of "Jet Song"



Once in Your Life
cut; replaced by "I Have a Love"



This Turf Is Ours
cut; replaced by "Jet Song." Some music was later used for Bernstein’s "Fanfare for the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy."   **



Up to the Moon
cut





As far as we can determine, the only one of the above songs to be recorded is "Kids Ain't," which is included (under the title "Like Everybody Else") as part of a collection of cut songs in the "Lost in Boston" series produced by Bruce Kimmel for Varese Sarabande. The out-of-print CD may be available at private sales, but shop with caution as the CDs in this series all share the same name.


An early synopsis of the show indicates the intention to include a second-act comedy number called “I Agree with You, Judge,” wherein the gang members act out their day in court and “reel off all the endless reasons for their ‘delinquency’ before the judge can say anything.” The only reference for this song to date is in Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story by Nigel Simeone.*** Admittedly the removal of this little-known entry can scarcely be counted as a “cut,” since the song appears never have been set to music, or even lyrics, and mention is made here only as information. Professor Simeone also cites a song called “Come Dream with Me,” cut from Mr. Bernstein’s Peter Pan and listed as an early possibility for the Balcony Scene prior to Stephen Sondheim’s induction into the team.****


The hatchet slices both ways. One Hand, One Heart was originally written for Leonard Bernstein's Candide as "One," and traces of the melody and orchestrations still linger in most versions of that score. The song was imported to West Side Story to be sung for the fire escape scene, against the instincts of some of the collaborators, who felt that it was too "pristine" and solemn for what should have been a more rousing and passionate musical moment. A decision was reached, and One Hand, One Heart was re-located to its permanent home in the bridal shop sequence, while Tonight, which until then existed only in the Quintet, was expanded and became what many feel is the outstanding song of the score. Also rescued from Candide's wastebasket was a tune called "Where Does It Get You in the End," now known as Gee, Officer Krupke.







Note: Stephen Sondheim’s book Finishing the Hat includes the lyrics to several cut songs, including “Mix,” “This Turf Is Ours,” and “Like Everybody Else,” as well as discarded lyrics to “Tonight,” “Gee Officer Krupke,” et al.








   *Simeone pp. 54-55
  ** -ibid- p. 57
 *** -ibid- p. 39
**** -ibid- p. 29






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