Original 'Maria' Carol Lawrence Talks Career and West Side Story Revival to the Examiner

Broadway musical theatre icon Carol Lawrence received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Sunday, October 18, 2009 at a 3:00 pm Gala concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Lawrence spoke to the Examiner.com's Steven Slatten about the honor, her career and the current revival of WEST SIDE STORY.

Did you see the current revival on Broadway?

"I saw it opening night; I felt it was a wonderful production of the show."

Do you feel that the new addition of Spanish is beneficial to the show?

"I felt that the Spanish got in the way for many of the audience members. They were often lost because of it. I have heard that they have since changed it back to the English version. It's a happy return to a very good production."

To read the full interview, click here.

A Tony and Grammy Award nominee, a best selling author, television star, recording artist, concert headliner and notable humanitarian, Carol Lawrence created the role of "Maria" in the Leonard Bernstein/Jerome Robbins Broadway classic West Side Story. Miss Lawrence also starred in numerous other Broadway productions including Saratoga, Subways are for Sleeping, Nightlife, I Do, I Do, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Additionally, she has starred in national tours of Funny Girl, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, No, No, Nanette, Woman of the Year, and Sugar Babies. She was also the first recipient ever in The category of Live Theatre to receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. Still a triple crown performer in all genres of entertainment, Ms. Lawrence more recently starred with Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie in the critically acclaimed production Girl's Room at New York's Queens Theatre in the Park and at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles. With its eye on a Broadway run, this charming new comedy by author Joni Fritz about three generations of lively women and the lies that bind them together, as well as the truths that tear them apart, centers around a young ballet dancer about to break into the big-time who has another kind of break - an accident that could end her career.

Tickets for the Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY at the Palace Theatre are on sale at www.tickemaster.com by calling 212-307-4100, or visiting the Palace Theatre box office. WEST SIDE STORY plays Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Broadway ticket prices are $121.50 - 46.50.