Spielberg’s West Side Story

[LuPita2]

"Ben Platt is a spoiled child who would have never got cast in anything if his father wasn't who his father is."

Yes. because for more than a year his Dad was pulling his puppet strings up there when putting his mind, body, and soul into the charactor of Evan......

Nope.  Bitter and ridiculous much?

[jo]

It looks like Hollywood actors with some musicals background are now keen to play roles in movie musicals. Has the genre become more popular again with studios and other producers?

[Babe_Williams]

bwaylinds said: "Am I the only one who couldn't see Platt as Tony?"

NOPE. I like Ben enough as a performer, but he is wrong for the role.

From the twitter comments: Ansel is going to do a good job but no one on the planet will ever sing these songs better than @BenSPLATT

 

I can think of numerous singers who can perform the songs as well as, or better than Ben Platt. Aaron Tveit, at the Bernstein tribute, for example. 

[Sondheimite]

LuPita2 said: ""Ben Platt is a spoiled child who would have never got cast in anything if his father wasn't who his father is."

Yes. because for more than a year his Dadwas pulling his puppet strings up there when putting his mind, body, and soul into the charactor of Evan......

Nope. Bitter and ridiculous much?"

I don't know if you know this our not, <<edited by BWW staff>>

but

it's a lot easier to get cast and have opportunity in the business when your Daddy is the one of the most powerful people in the business.

Learn a new word today:  nepotism.  

[Eboyd514]

Man I’m suffering from major deja vu. All this talk about Ben platt and how he gets roles because of his dad. Let it go.

I’m excited for Ansol he seems like he is going to be perfect for the role

[Tom5]

Anyone who doubts Spielberg's mastery of his craft should just see Bridge Of Spies. But it would take a book to list the barriers he faces in remaking West Side Story. There's never been a successful remake of a classic motion picture musical and West Side story is as distinctive and classical as they come. Now if he's intending this to be a live TV Special...

[BrodyFosse123]

Having been to a handful of parties where Ansel Elgort has played the piano and sung, I'm more than excited with this announcement.  He is more than qualified to take on this iconic role.  

As I mentioned before, expect all the principals to be known names, regardless of what those early open-call casting notices stated.  Those open-call castings were actually for ensemble, not the leads.  

[RJ14]

IMO Tony is one of the blandest lead male character in musical theatre. No offence to Ansel but I think he'll fit the role perfectly.

Having seen Ben Platt's audition tape and his 'Somewhere' performance on the Grammys, I don't want to see West Side Story staring Evan Hansen. I don't know if he can't get Evan out of his head or he portrays Evan as himself but his performance was not good at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kad]

I'm more curious about Tony Kushner's work on this than Spielberg's.

[John Adams]

Every time something new is revealed RE: this movie I'm even more excited than before.  

 I feel differently from Tom5's post, "There's never been a successful remake of a classic motion picture musical and West Side story is as distinctive and classical as they come." IMO, the singular, outstanding aspect of the original that brands it as a classic is Robbin's choreography. 

I think the original movie has plenty of room for improvement. There was too much dubbing of the singing roles, for a start.

I trust and respect the "mastery of his craft" that Tom5 recognizes, and every time something more is revealed about casting, choice of choreographer, etc., I get even more excited for this to be released.

There are a lot of details still missing, but from what's been revealed at this point, I can't wait for this! I'm most happiest to see that this is NOT going to be yet another movie/musical that will be cast with actors who don't sing, or can't dance.

[John Adams]

Kad said: "I'm more curious about Tony Kushner's work on this than Spielberg's."

What is Kushner's involvement?

[broadwaynerdnewbie]

I don’t understand the like contempt for Ben because of his dad. He’s been remarkably open and honest in stating that his dad has likely helped open doors within the industry for him so like he’s admitted this. Why can’t people on these boards accept that and move on. If you don’t like him and his performance abilities but just say that and stop hiding behind the father excuse. 

[SomethingPeculiar]

John Adams said: "What is Kushner's involvement?"
 

He's writing the screenplay (his fourth collaboration with Spielberg after Munich, Lincoln, and the long-in-development The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara).

It will be interesting if he shifts any of the song placement like in the 1961 movie, or if the adaptation is based entirely on Arthur Laurents' libretto. My guess is that he's ignoring the '61 film.

Either way, Arthur Laurents is probably frowning down on both Kushner and Ivo Van Hove... :) 

[RJ14]

SomethingPeculiar said: "It will be interesting if he shifts any of the song placementlike in the 1961 movie, or if the adaptation is based entirely on Arthur Laurents' libretto. My guess is that he's ignoring the '61 film."

Mark Harris, Kushner's husband keeps insisting that this movie will be the adaptation of the stage show and not the remake of the '61 movie so I take that as the indication of the direction they are going for.

 What I'm looking for most in the movie is the choreography. I agreed with why Sondheim didn't like the '61 movie: the audience just felt amused by the ballet dancing gang members instead of being frightened by them. If Justin Peck can find the way to showcase the choreography and keep the audience within the movie, I believe the new movie will be a triumph in the hands of Spielberg.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I'm looking forward to this. I mean if it's not that good, we at least have the 1961 masterpiece we can fall back on.

[dramamama611]

It's not like Platt can HELP who his father is.  At least he's got some talent to back up the hand up.   There are few people in the world that don't open doors for their kids when possible.   Even my own kids going to school where I teach - while I have never ASKED a fellow teacher for any sort of special treatment, I know my kids often get extra chances to turn stuff in, for example.

[BrodyFosse123]

It's not like Platt can HELP who his father is.  At least he's got some talent to back up the hand up.   There are few people in the world that don't open doors for their kids when possible.   Even my own kids going to school where I teach - while I have never ASKED a fellow teacher for any sort of special treatment, I know my kids often get extra chances to turn stuff in, for example.

Heck, even Lucie Arnaz has mentioned that her daughter Katharine Luckinbill gave up on any acting/performing aspirations as she just didn't like the endless financial struggles during the downtime between performing jobs.  And this being the legendary Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's granddaughter and daughter to always-working actors Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill.  You would assume her family background would open more doors for her than a regular performer. 

She's even had a successful cabaret act at Don't Tell Mama but just threw in the towel and now is happy working in corporate America.  

Here is mother-daughter Katharine Luckinbill and Lucie Arnaz performing a duet of "Hey, Look Me Over!" from the Broadway musical WILDCAT, which starred Lucille Ball (Lucie's mom; Katharine's grandmother) at  the memorial tribute to Cy Coleman: 

[CarlosAlberto]

I was joking with the Twink Side Story comment. My sarcasm knows no bounds. I have no idea who the kid is. I hope he sings “Maria” to the heavens because it’s my favorite song from the score.

I’m hoping they cast a hot Anita and Bernardo. Those characters have to be “on fire”.

[BrodyFosse123]

For those curious ones, here's Ansel playing piano and singing.  He can sing different genres as well: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y4BWq6rqWg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzxAs9KbAmk

[SomethingPeculiar]

Yes, Marc Platt might have opened doors for his son (helped him get an agent, helped get him a small role in Ricki & the Flash), but Ben wouldn't have gone anywhere if he wasn't talented! And with all due respect, let's not overplay Marc Platt: He's a producer who's had some hits and flops, but he's no Bob Iger or Spielberg or Scorcese or Rudin... There are children of FAR more notable people who have tried and failed to gain traction on Broadway/Hollywood.

Nowadays, does anyone care about the lineage of Oscar Hammerstein II, John Weidman, Alex Gemignani, Kate Hudson, Josh Brolin, Bryan Cranston, Michael Douglas, Laura Benanti, or (whispers) Adam Guettel? You all talk about Ben Platt like he's Eric Trump!

[LuPita2]

broadwaynerdnewbie said: "I don’t understand the like contempt for Ben because of his dad. He’s been remarkably open and honest in stating that his dad has likely helped open doors within the industry for him so like he’s admitted this. Why can’t people on these boards accept that and move on. If you don’t like him and his performance abilities but just say that and stop hiding behind the father excuse."

Exactly.  Sondheimite, learn a new word today: acerbic  And don't ever call me or any other woman "lil mama" again.  

****They staff actually edited me calling someone ridiculous but not a person calling me a bitchy term in a sarcastic way.  Cool. Time for a nap, BWW staff.*******

[Elegance101]

I actually agree about the nepotism thing. I don’t care at all who Ben’s dad is or what kind of doors he opened. I’ve never cared about how someone got to where they are or how opportunities came their way (everyone gets there based on some form of connections). His actions just left a bad taste in my mouth, personally.

[everythingtaboo]

I'm surprised Ben hasn't worked his way onto that Wicked anniversary TV special. But I digress...

I like Ansel, but quite honestly, nothing is exciting me about this new movie, so right now I'm like, "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

[LuPita2]

He won me over with this performance.  I knew he could act but did not know he could sing.  Tony is a great part with difficult songs. I think it's great casting and I hope they have many chemistry screen tests for Maria. They'll need to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcThlhrcE9Y

[lovebwy]

I hope they let the dudes curse in this. None of that "cracko jacko" ****. It will make them seem much more butch.