Steven Spielberg, keep ben Platt away from the west side story remake

[Call_me_jorge]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Ben-Platt-Shares-WEST-SIDE-STORY-Audition-Tape-Performance-of-Maria-20180315

 

now hear me out. I think he’s a great performer, has a wonderful pop voice, but man oh man..... this is not what I want west side story to sound like. I’d rather have a non singer in the part than someone singing a pop rendition.

My pick for tony would go to Lucas Hedges. He’s a fantastic actor and has great charisma. He would be superb

[LesWickedly]

He has become Evan Hansen. The mannerisms are all seen in this video. His head is constantly shaking along with his voice. Loved him in Dear Evan Hansen, but it seems like he’s having a very difficult time shaking that off.

[LizzieCurry]

And if you want to go straight to Ben's tweet, here:

https://twitter.com/BenSPLATT/status/974368933154344961

[markypoo]

And let's face it:

He's no Richard Beymer.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

LesWickedly said: "He has become Evan Hansen. The mannerisms are all seen in this video. His head is constantly shaking along with his voice. Loved him in Dear Evan Hansen, but it seems like he’s having a very difficult time shaking that off."

Now that's all I can see.

Platt doesn't have the look for Tony, especially in a film version.

[Elegance101]

I'm very confused about why he posted this.

Also, I agree that he may not have the right look, but hopefully, he'll get out of the Evan Hansen thing when he acts in something else and has to inhabit a different person. The fidgeting and stuff will disappear once he gets back to acting soon.

[bk]

Dear Evan Platt:

Never a good idea to close your eyes while singing - it is selfish and indulgent and precludes an audience from engaging with you.

What is with that vibrato?  And what is with the schmacting?  Let the song do its job - it doesn't need that much sauce on it.

Sincerely,

Me.

Ben did a 2011 Kritzerland monthly show (we've been doing them since 2010, coming up on eight years - just did our 85th show).  Ben was just seventeen when he did this show in Feb of 2011, a tribute to the Sherman Brothers.  We all adored him and he was simple and effortless and there was no sauce.  I'd share the photo but don't see a way to do so without a URL - oh, wait, let me try a photo sharing site.  Still can't seem to do it - can anyone help?  I have it uploaded to tinypic and have tried every iteration of their codes.

 

[Cat Guy]

I liked it.

[MCfan2]

He looks like his mind is anywhere but on what he's singing. 

[MichelleCraig]

Ben was a great Evan.

[lovebwy]

I'm not on board with the grousing here. I know next to nothing about Ben Platt, so I went into this cold.

This is a song I've heard hundreds of times in my life. This was the first time it actually made me cry. It was like hearing it for this first time. 

I think it was brilliant. 

 

 

[ljay889]

My God, he really can't rid himself of Evan's anxious mannerisms. It's becoming uncomfortable. 

[darquegk]

The version I keep coming back to is this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJE_i0eHbs

I know it's fake, just a very good impersonator, but when that familiar, ravaged voice comes in, I get such chills.

[carnzee]

I love this. He knows how to make a song seem like a monologue. But this kid has more mannerisms than Bette Davis.

[Elegance101]

carnzee said: "I love this. He knows how to make a song seem like a monologue. But this kid has more mannerisms than Bette Davis."

This sums up my feelings as well. Love the vocals. Honestly, if he were cast, I wouldn't throw a fit, as long as he got some good direction to get him away from the Evan mannerisms.

[Cfried]

I honestly had a hard time getting through this video. Platt was great in DEH, but he is NOT a Tony. His performance at the Grammys was already way too much for me.

[Jamminman]

There is literally no excuse to not cast Jeremy Jordan in this part.  Unbelievable voice, dance skills and looks all in one, and he has a semi-recognizable name.  

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

[Call_me_jorge]

Jeremy is nice, but isn’t tony supposed to be a teenager? Jeremy is probably out of range to even play the character on stage(again).

[VintageSnarker]

Boo. Hate it.

Aside from the vocals he's just not right for the part at all. As much as I adore Natalie Wood, I'm not totally opposed to the remake of the movie because it would be nice to have a version of WSS without whitewashing and lipsynching. But that doesn't mean making a bunch of new terrible choices.

[Elegance101]

Jamminman said: "There is literally no excuse to not castJeremy Jordan in this part. Unbelievable voice, dance skills and looks all in one, and he has a semi-recognizable name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTtEJiTrlTQ"

"Too old" is a pretty good excuse...

[10086sunset]

Jorge, it’s Steven, not Stephen...

[Call_me_jorge]

Noted. Thanks

[haterobics]

Jamminman said: "There is literally no excuse to not castJeremy Jordan in this part."

That brings up a good point. Is Matthew Morrison available?

[EllieRose2]

The revival was horrendous but Jeremy Jordan was an incredible Tony on Broadway. and when he played it in LA.  He is absolutely perfect, and a fine age for it.  He comes off incredible live and on television when he's performing.  It's a no brainer.

[Elegance101]

I’m not sold. I’d rather they keep them as teenagers (or at least let them look early twenties). That’s very important to this piece for me, especially if it’s a movie. However, that of course can be up to opinion! I guess we’ll find out.