WSS: Instrumentation Breakdown

During my score study for West Side Story, I decided it would be beneficial to generate an instrument inventory. This document shows which instruments are used for each number in the show. If you see errors, please let me know! Caveat: I know the percussion is incomplete ...

WSS: Instrumentation Breakdown 

Paying forward,
Kevin

West Side Story: Cuts and Alternations List

WEST SIDE STORY: Cuts and Alterations in the Show

As performed by Gahanna Lincoln H.S. (May 2013)  

(XXX) = Cut

No 1. Prologue

1.     To be played at the VERY beginning of show.

Pickup to m.134 (134-135-136)137-139

2.     G.P. (grand pause) in m. 110 will be beat as a regular measure with four beats.

No 2. Jet Song

1.     Fermata in m. 8 is not being observed

2.     Fermata in m.79 is not being observed

3.     (93-128)

No. 2a

1.     (1-19)

No 3. Something’s Coming

1.     Safety in m. 3 will be 2x

No. 3a – Something’s Coming Chase

1.     (1)

2.     Repeating 2 or 3 times

No. 4 –  Blues

1.     m.3-6 repeated. First time no accel.

No 4a - Promenade / No. 4b - Mambo

1.     We will stop with an on-stage whistle (“messily”) while percussion goes right into Mambo.

2.     Fermata at end is gone – right into Cha Cha.

No. 4c – Cha Cha

1.     M. 224 – Play beats 1 and 2 (Beats 3 and 4 – m.229 Beats 1 and 2)

No. 4d – Meeting Scene

1.     Fermata in m. 2 is not being observed

2.     Fermatas between 223-241 not being observed

3.     Repeat m.258-266 not being observed

4.     Play first beat in m. 266 (m. 266 is becoming the first measures of 4e)

a.     This is becoming an elision  into m. 2 of 4e – “Jump”

No. 4e – Jump

1.     (m.292-299)

2.     No repeat at end of piece.

No. 6 - Balcony Scene

m. 87 – in 4

m. 117 in 2

m. 121 in 4

m. 145 remains in 4

Fermata in second to last measure not being observed

No. 7 – America

1.     Do not repeat m.3-4, repeat m. 5-6 instead.

2.     At conclusion, go back to m.182 for scene change music. (replacing 7a)

7a.  – America to Drugstore (CUT)

                  Instead begin at m. 182 in America and play until cut off

9a – One Hand, One Heart

1.     At end, return to m.67 and play until m.98 for scene change music.

2.     For brass: Prep for downbeat of No. 10 “Tonight” – SLAM!

No. 10 – Tonight

                  1. At end, return to m. 134 for scene change

N. 11 – The Rumble

                  1. Fermata in m. 7 not being observed

                  2. (m.47)

                  3. Fermatas from 134 to the end are not being observed

No. 12 – I Feel Pretty

                  Safety m. 138-139 is a 2x

No. 13a – Ballet Sequence

1.     Cue word for downbeat of m.1 is “Take” (And I’ll TAKE you away)

2.     (m.39-44) DIRECTLY into 13b

No. 13e – Transitions to Ballet

1.     In 4

2.     M. 53 subito faster

3.     M.60 is molto accel.

4.     M.112-122 is 2+3

No. 13d

1.     In 4

No. 13e

1.     In 4

2.     M.175 in 2

3.     M.187 in 4

4.     M. 195 is 3+2

5.     M.213 is 2+3

6.     Fermata in m.221 is out.

7.     And end, return to 232 and play as scene change music

No. 14 – Officer Krupke

1.     M.8 safety, “Dear” is on last time.

2.     M. 54 safety, “Judge” – wait and I will give cue to proceed.

3.     M.59 safety, “Dear” is on last time.

4.     M. 105 safety, “Headshrinker” – wait and I will give cue to proceed.

5.     M.110 safety, “My” is on last time.

6.     M. 156 safety, “social worker” – wait and I will give cue to proceed.

7.     M.161 safety, “Dear” is on last time.

8.     M.231 Fermata held as two measures

No. 16

1.     Start at m. 27

2.     M.34 to end molto accel.

No. 17

1.     M.22-25 is repeated.

2.     Last three measures, beats 1 and 2 each have fermatas, and clean release between.

3.     If playing on last note, take a BIG breath before.