West Side Story Revival 2009 - Articles Page 5

Run Time:
2 hours and 40 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 12+
Opened: March 19, 2009
Closing: January 02, 2011

West Side Story - 2009 - Broadway History , Info & More

Palace Theatre (Broadway)
1564 Broadway New York, NY



More than fifty years ago, a show about New York City changed musical theatre forever. Now, it's coming home to make history once again. This spring, WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway in a groundbreaking new production directed by its legendary librettist, Tony Award® winner Arthur Laurents.



From the first notes to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Mr. Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim -- a collection of standards that includes "Tonight," "America," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere" -- is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. And the extraordinary, Tony-winning winning choreography by Jerome Robbins completely changed the language of Broadway dance. This production will offer a bold new design that builds on the show's raw power and emotion to create a fresh experience unlike any that came before it.



Don't miss this thrilling presentation of a matchless work of art.

West Side Story - 2009 - Broadway Cast

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West Side Story - 2009 - Broadway Articles Page 5

WEST SIDE STORY to Open on March 19, 2009 at the Palace Theater
by BWW News Desk - March 19, 2009


The new production of WEST SIDE STORY will officially open on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 19, 2009. WEST SIDE STORY will begin preview performances on February 23, 2009 following an out of town engagement December 15, 2008 through January 17, 2009 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.

WEST SIDE STORY to Open on March 19, 2009 at the Palace Theater
by BWW News Desk - March 19, 2009


The new production of WEST SIDE STORY will officially open on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 19, 2009. WEST SIDE STORY will begin preview performances on February 23, 2009 following an out of town engagement December 15, 2008 through January 17, 2009 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Laurents Talks WEST SIDE STORY to the LA Times
by Eddie Varley - March 18, 2009


West Side Story has returned to Broadway as it began preview performances, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. Laurents dicusses the musical with the Los Angeles Times, in the feature he reveals the evolution of the classic musical as it makes its return to Broadway.

Vanity Fair Features Starry 'WEST SIDE STORY' Themed Pictorial Online
by Eddie Varley - March 17, 2009


As West Side Story prepares for the opening night of its current Broadway revival, photographer Mark Seliger re-created scenes from the classic 1961 film version with the help of Jennifer Lopez, Camilla Belle and other Hollywood film stars for Vanity Fair.

WEST SIDE STORY's Laurents Profiled in New York Mag
by Eddie Varley - March 16, 2009


West Side Story has returned to Broadway where it began preview performances, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents.

Laurents and More on WEST SIDE STORY in the NYTimes
by Eddie Varley - March 15, 2009


West Side Story has returned to Broadway as it began preview performances, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. Laurents and the creative team are featured in a fantastic article in today's New York Times, in the feature they discuss the evolution of the classic musical as it makes its return to Broadway.

BC/EFA Auction Offers Opening Night Tix To WEST SIDE STORY
by Gabrielle Sierra - March 12, 2009


In-keeping with their series of 'Extraordinary EBay' packages, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is proud to announce an online auction item is bound to start a rumble. Opening night tickets to the revival of West Side Story.

WEST SIDE STORY Visits Letterman on Late Show 3/12
by BWW News Desk - March 12, 2009


The cast of Broadway's West Side Story will perform 'America' on Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Late Show airs at 11:35pm on WCBS channel 2 in the tri-state area.

WEST SIDE STORY's Olivo Talks 'Anita' to NY Daily News
by Eddie Varley - March 11, 2009


West Side Story has returned to Broadway in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents and is currently in preview performances. The show's dynamic 'Anita', Karen Olivo spoke to the New York Daily News about her winning the iconic role and the continued power of the classic musical.

WEST SIDE STORY Visits Letterman on Late Show 3/12
by Eddie Varley - March 10, 2009


The cast of Broadway's West Side Story will perform 'America' on Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Late Show airs at 11:35pm on WCBS channel 2 in the tri-state area.

TV STAGE TUBE: WEST SIDE STORY Star Scaglione Sings 'Libertango'
by Eddie Varley - March 10, 2009


Josefina Scaglione is starring as 'Maria' in the 2009 revival of West Side Story. The 21 year old Scaglione is a trained opera singer and has been in a production of Hairspray. She was set to portray Christine Daae in a production of The Phantom of the Opera in Argentina but had to give that lead up for her coveted casting in West Side Story.

Laurents Talks WEST SIDE STORY to Variety
by Eddie Varley - March 6, 2009


West Side Story has returned to Broadway as it began preview performances, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. Laurents and other members of the creative team spoke to Variety about how the show has been shaped anew for a waiting generation of theatre lovers.

West Side Story Returns to Broadway, Previews Begin 2/23
by Eddie Varley - February 23, 2009


West Side Story returns to Broadway as it begins preview performances tonight, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY Announces $26.50 Lotto Tickets for All Shows
by Robert Diamond - February 20, 2009


WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway beginning performances Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

TIVO RED ALERT!!! JEROME ROBBINS: Something to Dance About Airs Tonight in NYC
by Robert Diamond - February 18, 2009


Jerome Robbins had an extraordinary career and a reputation to go with it....

TIVO RED ALERT!!! JEROME ROBBINS: Something to Dance About Airs Tomorrow Night in NYC
by Robert Diamond - February 17, 2009


Jerome Robbins had an extraordinary career and a reputation to go with it....

Photo Flash: New Production Images of WEST SIDE STORY
by Eddie Varley - February 5, 2009


West Side Story comes to glorious life on the stage of the Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009.

Photo Essay: 'Something's Coming' WEST SIDE STORY Rolls Out to Broadway!
by Walter McBride - January 25, 2009


West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. for the official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung on January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. Master Photographer Walter McBride was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Presidential Inaugural Celebration, while there he swung by the West Side Story 'load out' to give you an example of what it takes to 'take the show on the road' to Broadway! The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

Olivo Talks WEST SIDE STORY to DC Theatre Scene
by Eddie Varley - January 21, 2009


More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences and critics alike embraced Karen Olivo's stunning portrayal of Anita. Before Karen Olivo left Washington for New York, she spoke to DCTheatreScene.com, click here to read the interview. Karen Olivo's many credits include In The Heights, Rent, Brooklyn, Hair- 40th Anniversary Concert (director Diane Paulus), Miracle Brothers (director Tina Landau). 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Conviction.' Film: Adrift in Manhattan, Sibling, Late In The Game, Two Lovers. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is being reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

West Side Story FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of West Side Story have there been?
West Side Story has had 21 productions including Broadway which opened in 1957, Broadway which opened in 1957, West End which opened in 1958, US Tour which opened in 1959, Broadway which opened in 1960, Broadway which opened in 1960, Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1968, Broadway which opened in 1980, Broadway which opened in 1980, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1991, Regional (UK) which opened in 1992, West End which opened in 1998, Houston, TX (Regional) which opened in 2006, Broadway which opened in 2009, US Tour which opened in 2010, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2015, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2018, Regional (US) which opened in 2018 and Broadway which opened in 2020.
What Tony Awards has West Side Story been nominated for?
Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Howell Binkley.
What awards has West Side Story been nominated for?
West Side Story has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Pal Joey, Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Arthur Laurents, Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Josefina Scaglione.
What awards has West Side Story won?
West Side Story has won several awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Pal Joey. Arthur Laurents won the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. The show also won Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Josefina Scaglione received the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards.

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