The West Side Story story is a complicated one, and the new Broadway production has a lot of history to reckon with

For more than six months, Ivo van Hove’s new West Side Story production has commanded a constant presence in New York print ads. !e television commercial features the iconic theme of the Jets played on a solo piano with excerpts from 63 years of glowing reviews, thereby linking them to the new production (which is in previews and opens on February 20). Whatever excitement, and ticket sales, this has engendered was recently tempered by rumors and then a press release: it’s down to one act, “I Feel Pretty” has been cut, and so has the “Somewhere” ballet. There is, in some circles, a palpable feeling of dread that simultaneously accompanies a general curiosity and a sense of expectation. Something’s coming, all right. Will it click or merely shock?