The songs were switched because Robert Wise and Ernest Lehman (the screenwriter) felt that having a "comic" number after two murders was inappropriate and, in point of fact, Stephen Sondheim agreed with them and still does to this day. Sondheim also enjoyed re-writing the lyrics to America to include the Sharks and felt it made it much more interesting.
The Cool number was the best of the evening IMO as well and I'm still going to be interested to see who else gets chosen since they've only cast 4 people so far. And to be honest, I'm not sure either woman could pull off Maria - they don't have that clear soprano voice you need.
And I'm thinking that the rival glee clubs will become the High School version of the Jets and the Sharks.
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branchandroot
The even bigger theatre and film geek responds
Date: 2011-10-05 08:22 am (UTC)The Cool number was the best of the evening IMO as well and I'm still going to be interested to see who else gets chosen since they've only cast 4 people so far. And to be honest, I'm not sure either woman could pull off Maria - they don't have that clear soprano voice you need.
And I'm thinking that the rival glee clubs will become the High School version of the Jets and the Sharks.