GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE

The Jets in the much misunderstood post-rumble comic number. Broadway Original Cast 1957 [l-r]David Winters, Tommy Abbott, Eddie Roll, Tony Mordente, Lowell Harris, Martin Charnin, Hank Brunjes, and Grover Dale.

The Jets take an unexpected detour into what many dismiss as conventional musical comedy with the lively "Gee, Officer Krupke." Originally performed in the second act, the filmmakers re-thought the propriety of the comic lyrics and the characters' boisterous vaudeville antics in the more literal, more mood-sensitive medium of film. Thus "Krupke" was moved, along with "I Feel Pretty," to less troubled times before the rumble. The re-positioning of "Krupke" to the earlier slot was indeed considered for the original stage version, but the idea was rejected thanks to the persuasive arguments of librettist Arthur Laurents.

Like "One Hand, One Heart" the melody of this raucous song was commandeered from the score of the earlier Bernstein effort Candide, and is said to have been added to the production as late as July 1957, approximately one month before the first preview.

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