I love Leonard Bernstein. I love the spirt, the sensibility, the music and dance of West Side Story. BUT! Anyone who has been to Puerto Rico, or has even a slight familiarity with Puerto Rican culture knows that the music and dance of the ostensibly Puerto Rican community of West Side Story is completely off-base.

News of a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner for a remake of the musical, motivated actor/comedian Suni Reyes to call attention to this egregious misrepresentation. Her method is to parody one of the key musical scenes in a clever, timely and pointed skit. She even manages to briefly get in some authentic Puerto Rican music! Latino Rebels features an interview with Suni where she discusses some of the issues she wrestled with while creating the number.

 

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