I don't know what it is about Bway that makes people so conservative, but whether it be water, video or actor-musicians, these are all theatrical devices and vocabularies that have been used globally and in other genres 10x as much for decades, and in case of actor-musicians, even centuries.
It's only when it comes to Bway that somehow people think it's being invented, or can only be in one show every few years, etc. This from an artform that has 371 shows with tap numbers
We really need another flexible Bway house like Circle in the Square. Perhaps a bit larger, to make it easier to turn a profit, but it would be booked constantly regardless. Circle often has a wait 3-5 shows deep.
Did we ever hear who the star Rudin almost had to replace Bernadette was?
West Side Story Seating Advice Dec 11
2019, 03:14:18 PM
Also, the far Left Orchestra, especially closer up, you’ll miss seeing inside Doc’s and possible the far SR part of the back wall screen. The dress shop is center, so I don’t think Right Orchestra would have the same issue though.
ljay889 said: "I remember when bringing the curtain down on Maria sobbing over Tony’s dead body was considered very bleak in the 2008 revival. Laurent’s controversy cut the procession of Tony’s body. I’m assuming the procession is cut in this new revival as well."
It’s back, and more.
WEST SIDE STORY (2019 Revival) Preview Thread Dec 11
2019, 10:20:01 AM
Can I add to this: I will never forget the image of Isaac Powell running circles around the stage, in a full run, while singing Tonight. I don’t know how he does it and it was exhilarating.
joevitus said: "JBroadway, I wanted to add that your explanationfor the use of cameras and (semi)off-stage scenes is really helpful. Like others, I thought what's the point in watching things on a screen rather than live?But the idea of "safe spaces" verses hostile ones is really intriguing. Thanks."
Yeah, I had a similar thought. And actually, I found the live capture very compelling. If anything, I was less interested, more bothered by the pre-shot, m
helvizz said: "I have to say, I'm kinda baffled no one's mentioned Anita. The way I see it, if the production's Anita is good, she can very easily steal the show. So, I have to ask: how is Anita in this? Has the role been diminished in any way with the cuts?"
Great question I've been thinking a lot about. As it is now, she does feel diminished. Some of that could be small cuts (not sure). But honestly, as of first preview, some of that is the performe
ukpuppetboy said: "Thanks JBroadway, BJR and supersam1026 for all your thoughts and recollections. It’s encouraging reading and a joy to watch an informative, creative debate unfold on here finally. Much appreciated."
Oh don't worry - some are gonna hate it! Haha
This production is not meant to be the seminal West Side to End All West Sides. It's a telling of it. And one I think has great potential.
ljay889 said: "With the much shorter runtime, does it feel like much of the book is cut?"
I couldn't tell you what was cut. Maybe some Doc stuff? Maybe some Anita stuff? They both seemed like smaller parts to me. But it just felt streamlined, not like story points were being skipped over.
It doesn't feel like a too-short run time, partly because it was first preview and the pacing isn't there.
Globefan said: "BJR said: "SouthernCakes said: "Are there any big scene changes or pieces or is it mostly blank and projections?"
Scene changes are the back wall opening to show the rooms. Otherwise, open stage and projections."
What was Cool like?"
Honestly, that was a number that I missed the storytelling. The whole concept of the movement exploding from tension and Riff trying to suppress it, well, it jus
SouthernCakes said: "I just don’t get his obsession with video projecting things off stage? It’s so stagnant and not the reason we come to see live theater."
I think some scenes worked better than others. Frankly, the better the actor is at screen acting, the better the device fared.
ljay889 said: "How intense is the Anita taunting scene? The 2008 staging of this scene was more intense than usual, but I’d imagine with Van Hove that it’s much more intense and violent."
Oh, I don't want it put back in! But I wonder if the audience might.
I quite liked it and will definitely be going back later, maybe even part way through previews.
But I just think it has a lot of work to really make it what I think it's aiming for. (For the record, I don't think it's a Carousel, where it's not even clear what the hell they're aiming for.) I can see the shape they're aiming for, but right now it's not sharp enough to fill the sha
It's both not in as terrible shape as some would have you think. But also, they're really gonna need two months. Some folks will hate it, no question. But if they can pull off the right fixes, this could be a violent and vital production. Big "if"s, of course.
