Someone from the Ohno thread requested for info, so here I go. LOL

WEST SIDE STORY
I think some of you have already heard of West Side Story *before* it even hit Japan and starred Ohno, Sho and Jun in them (Yup--- if you live in the U.S. and if you're one of the fortunate people who was able to see this movie in your American/World Lit class in high school LOL.... you should be at least familiar with this story/stage play ^^). First of all, WSS is a classic American Broadway stage musical that started showing on Broadway stages back in the late '50s, and it is an American modern "ghetto" rendition of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Instead of ruling families at war with each other, we get two street gangs at war with each other to see who rules their neighborhood blocks in "ghetto"-ish Bronx area, New York City.

Anyway, the story takes place in Bronx, NYC, centered to two notorious street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets represent the "all-American" boys (though it's noted in some sources that they're Jewish-Americans) and the Sharks represent the Puerto Riacns. The Jets is lead by Riff (Ohno) and the Sharks is lead by Bernardo (Jun).

Later in the story, we meet two new principal characters, Tony (Sho) and Maria (forgot the actress's name, sorry ^^). The two immediately fall in love with each other during their neighborhood (?) dance party despite of the two warring gangs are having their own thing going on at the same time. Though the two are so much in love with each other, both felt that it's close to impossible that they will be together forever and be accepted by the society in their neighborhood. Maria is Bernardo's younger sister, while Tony was the former leader of the Jets (before Riff took over).

So, if you're familiar with Romeo and Juliet, it's pretty much the same plot... except the ending LOL. That's all I'm gonna say. ^^

Going back to the current times, West Side Story was the influence of Johnny Kitagawa (founder/CEO of Johnny's, duh! LOL). It was this play that got Johnny the idea of forming an agency that specializes in "producing" male talent in the entertainment industry, since WSS cast is predominantly male. He first saw WSS when he and his family used to live here (L.A., California USA) and he fell in love with the stage play (the songs, the dances, the story, everything).

Back in 2004, there were two versions of WSS--- one during the late summer, which starred former popular Johnny's group Shonentai (3 members) portraying the 3 main male characters (Riff, Tony, and Bernardo). Then later in the winter, Sho, Ohno, and Jun were casted in the winter version.

The Japanese versions followed exactly the same storyline as the original American Broadway version. The only difference though is that the Japaense version of WSS takes place in the present, while the original takes place in the '50s. Both versions take place in Bronx, NY, and the characters are still American and Puerto Rican.

Thanks for the info - was a very interesting read because even though I've heard of it I never really bothered to find out WWS was about.

arigato!! ^^ i never knew it was based on a classic American broadway..lol

but the Romeo & Juliet part...i kinda hate Romeo & Juliet so much dragging, parents not letting them see each other..yadda yadda yadda

is West Side Story any good? *hoping that you've seen it*

i learned about WSS in my music history class. i LOVE WSS!! it was my favourite piece of study. when i found out that the johnny's did it too, i was soo excited. i watched the fancam of it done by Sho, Jun and Ohno. i think the one by Sho, Jun and Ohno wasn't as mature as the original, but i did enjoy it. their dancing was great!

What happened in the end? I can never have the chance to watch it, so better me knowing the ending after all...(if other people don't want to know the ending, please pm & tell me personally ), thanks.

this sounds good. i haven't actually heard of the original before but anything thats adapted form shakespeare is always gonna be an improvement on the original for me! No offence people, but i don't get shakespeare. Plus, this has 3 arashi members. what other reason do i need? lol.

WSS is a very good musical. was very surprised to noe that Arashi had parts in the Japanese version of the musical. I did this musical about 1 year ago and was kinda like helping with part of the choreography. So other than knowing the songs, i managed to get the dvd of a very old version which i assume is the original musical and watched it like millions of time to get inspiration for our own performance...haha...and me being lucky once again, WSS musical was staged here in Singapore and i spent quite alot to go watch it. Worth the watch! A very very nice musical!

I wish I could watch the original live. The closest I've gotten to it was watching it on DVD or playing the musical in a symphonic band. The songs are fantastic and brilliantly written!

Its sounds really really good. I really want to watch it live to. But i admit thats more because of arashi then because of the fact that it sounds good. lol

Sou desuka~~ wakatta... Arigatou Eri-chan
Very sad ending so many deaths~~ & Ohno's character died!