Ivo van Hove Will Direct 2020 Broadway Revival of WEST SIDE STORY

[BroadwayConcierge]

HOLY BANANAS!!!!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Ivo-van-Hove-Will-Direct-Broadway-Revival-of-WEST-SIDE-STORY-20180712

According to the Hollywood Reporter article, "The production is scheduled to begin previews Dec. 10, 2019, with an official opening Feb. 6, 2020, at a theater to be announced."

[CaseyBrent41]

HUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Cfried]

WHATTTT?!?!?!

[BwayLB]

It feels too soon but I am surprised this revival is happening. This should be interesting to see how a remake and new production will co exist for an American classic.

[TotallyEffed]

Oh, dear.

[Kad]

...well, uh, this is unexpected.

[AEA AGMA SM]

I can't wait to see the Dance at the Gym performed by a barefoot ensemble covered in blood, followed by Tony singing "Maria" in a rainstorm.

[TotallyEffed]

I hear Yeezy is doing the costumes.

[bdn223]

So will this be the wholly original revival of West Side Story, that isn't a a recreation of the the original production like the 1980 revival or heavily inspired be the original production besides the use of Spanish as the 2009 revival was? 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Why Side Story

[TotallyEffed]

bdn223 said: "So will this be the wholly original revival ofWest Side Story, that isn't a a recreation of the the original production like the 1980 revival or heavily inspired be the original production besides the use of Spanish as the 2009 revival was?"

In a surprise twist, Van Hove will recreate the original production exactly, with the inclusion of Chita Rivera.

[QueenAlice]

It won't be boring!

[Andy51]

Granted, it's surprising.  But I would watch a play about a man brushing his teeth if Ivo were directing it.  With all the bland, uninspired productions of musicals these days on Broadway, I'm thrilled to see this is happening.  And I have tremendous respect for Rudin for backing this.

[ljay889]

Are they allowed to not use the Robbins’ choreography?

[Jonwo]

Van Hove directing a musical will be interesting but I'm not sure if they can reinvent it radically since the Jerome Robbins choreography has to be kept. I'm looking forward to seeing how it's done because I think WSS was in danger of becoming a museum piece with productions that were simply replicas of the original with tweaks.

[TotallyEffed]

QueenAlice said: "It won't be boring!"

You missed Antigone and The Crucible, I guess.

[bwayphreak234]

At least it’s not Jack O’Brien...

[Kad]

This release certainly seems to imply that the Robbins choreography won't be featured.

[darquegk]

They've done high-profile new-choreography versions in Europe. I would imagine if Ivo van Hove wants to get the rights to do a completely new staging and choreo, he'll find a way to make it happen.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

ljay889 said: "Are they allowed to not use the Robbins’ choreography?"

That's my question.

[Solipsist234]

TotallyEffed said: "QueenAlice said: "It won't be boring!"

You missedAntigone and The Crucible, I guess."

Wow, someone's certainly taking this bit of news with a grain of salt...

Granted, I died laughing when I saw the "breaking news" at the top of the page, and then I laughed even more when the dates were announced (2 MONTHS OF PREVIEWS FOR THIS!?!?!?) Honestly, I still don't understand why Rudin's musical productions always have long preview periods.

[BroadwayConcierge]

bwayphreak234 said: "At least it’s not Jack O’Brien..."

Retweet.

[Gizmo6]

Fantastic. So bored of replica productions. Beyond still running productions (Chicago excluded) Reinvent, its theatre, it’s living, it’s not a museum or a graveyard.

[Kad]

Solipsist234 said: "Honestly, I still don't understand why Rudin's musical productions always have long preview periods."

It's certainly not spent on filming b-roll, taking production photos, or letting the cast out in public.

 

[Solipsist234]

Gizmo6 said: "Fantastic. So bored of replica productions. Beyond still running productions (Chicago excluded) Reinvent, its theatre, it’s living, it’s not a museum or a graveyard. "

^This.

I'm intrigued in how we as a generation are going to reminagine West Side Story as a whole. With Spielberg directing the remake and Ivo van Hove doing this production, I have a feeling that for the first time in the 60 years that this show has existed, we could be getting entirely new interpretations and choreography for this work. I welcome really any choice to reinvent West Side Story (to any of you who saw the Signature's production of WSS in Arlington, you know what I'm talking about!)