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

[QueenAlice]

ColorTheHours048 said: "Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker’s choreography is close enough to Robbins’s style that it will match the intensity of the music, but contemporary enough to shake up our expectations. Very into the prospect of her collaboration."

Completely agree. There a lyric beauty to her work but also a rather wild unpredictability. She seems like a very interesting choice.

[AEA AGMA SM]

bfreak said: "While I don't think it's necessarily told from a particular point of view, maybe they should diversify the casting of the adults as usually they are played by Caucasian actors. That way there could be a sense of unbias between the adults and kids."

But the adults are biased, and the Jets are a result of that bias being passed down to the next generation. It would be completely nonsensical for the adults that we see in this world to be unbiased against the Sharks and immigrant community they represent. The only one that might conceivably make sense as a non-Caucasian actor would be Gladhand, but that's such a minuscule part that I don't think it would be able to make any sort of real impact or show an unbias.

[darquegk]

He doesn't say "kiddo," he says "kiddando," which is purely an invention of Laurents's.

[PalJoey]

 

HOW COME when they talk about "reimagining West Side Story," they always attack the Jerome Robbins choreography? Why do they never talk about "reimagining" Arthur's book? Or Steve's lyrics? Or Lenny's music?

 

Why is it only the choreography that is considered in need of "reimagining"?

 

(Not that I think any of it is. Just asking, as they say, for a friend.)

 

[GeorgeandDot]

The Robbin's choreography is great, but the image of a bunch of rough, urban gangs prancing around on point makes me chuckle. It's always been a little jarring to me.

[darquegk]

Probably because in terms of most people's understanding of the text of a show, book music and lyrics are sacrosanct, only being changed by direct permission of the rights holders, while the physical production, choreography, sets and so forth are traditionally not sacrosanct, and in most cases EXPECTED to be changed.

West Side Story, Fiddler and A Chorus Line are the major exceptions to this rule of thumb.

[PalJoey]

 

GeorgeandDot said: "The Robbin's choreography is great, but the image of a bunch of rough, urban gangs prancing around on point makes me chuckle. It's always been a little jarring to me."

 

Okay, GeorgeandDot--tell me who's on pointe here. No one?

 

 

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Pal Joey, I'm talking about the choreography in the opening. It's lovely, but not really a great representation of the characters. I love the original choreography, but we've seen it in two Broadway revivals now and I'm interested in seeing something new.

[SonofRobbieJ]

I mean...if Terrence McNally wrote LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! today he could easily write:

"I just had a musical theater nightmare!  I dreamed they were reviving WEST SIDE STORY directed by Ivo van Hove. We've got to stop them."

And it would bring the house down.  

[Gizmo6]

GeorgeandDot said: "The Robbin's choreography is great, but the image of a bunch of rough, urban gangs prancing around on point makes me chuckle. It's always been a little jarring to me."

Is that not the point, the juxtaposition of the highly stylised choreography with the grit of the story? A distancing effect to force a critical eye on gang culture. 

[Solipsist234]

Gizmo6 said: "GeorgeandDot said: "The Robbin's choreography is great, but the image of a bunch of rough, urban gangs prancing around on point makes me chuckle. It's always been a little jarring to me."

Is that not the point, the juxtaposition of the highly stylised choreography with the grit of the story? A distancing effect to force a critical eye on gang culture."

This! For a musical that heavily features gang violence, racism, and prejudice, the ballet aspect of the show brings it all together, encompassing different emotive characteristics of those said gang members. The choreography is very naturalistic, which explains why the Dance at the Gym encompasses different styles of dance!

I am very much intrigued by what this revival has to offer in terms of reinventing this show, as it is one of my favorite musicals (despite what RippedMan said, but at this point, who actually listens to his snarky opinions?)

[BroadwayConcierge]

Solipsist234 said: "despite what RippedMan said, but at this point, who actually listens to his snarky opinions?"

Catty and rude. 

[GeorgeandDot]

I don't know, but I find it jarring and somewhat laughable. That opening choreography just doesn't fit the characters, while the rest of the choreo for the show does. Maybe it read better when the show first opened, but now it seems kind of bizarre. I just find the Robbin's choreography tired. I've seen it too many times to find it interesting at all. I am interested to see what Keersmaeker does with the choreo. Her work is very strange, but beautiful and is more stylized movement than actual dance.

Also, I've noticed that there's a lot of talk about West Side Story being "problematic" which is something I don't really understand. Doesn't it portray the horrors of racism and gang violence. Doesn't it explore how Puerto Ricans are treated by the American people. I can't see what is so "problematic" about the piece. In fact, I think it's one of the musicals of that era that has really stood the test of time.

[Solipsist234]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Solipsist234 said: "despite what RippedMan said, but at this point, who actually listens to his snarky opinions?"

Cattyand rude."

Oh, I'm sorry, captain of the boards! Was that not under protocol? Was that against your strandards? Let me try it again then:

"...despite what RippedMan, but I guess he's allowed to have opinions like that, even if some people (myself included) don't agree with him!"

There! Is that better, or are you going to report my comment again because you think you're so entitled to be the so-called "leader" of this board? Face it, BroadwayConcierge; you can punch back, but there are people that will punch back 10x harder!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Solipsist, you seriously need to calm down.

[Solipsist234]

GeorgeandDot said: "I don't know, but I find it jarring and somewhat laughable. That opening choreography just doesn't fit the characters, while the rest of the choreo for the show does. Maybe it read better when the show first opened, but now it seems kind of bizarre. I just find the Robbin's choreography tired. I've seen it too many times to find it interesting at all. I am interested to see what Keersmaeker does with the choreo. Her work is very strange, but beautiful and is more stylized movement than actual dance.

Also, I've noticed that there's a lot of talk about West Side Story being "problematic" which is something I don't really understand. Doesn't it portray the horrors of racism and gang violence. Doesn't it explore how Puerto Ricans are treated by the American people. I can't see what is so "problematic" about the piece. In fact, I think it's one of the musicals of that era that has really stood the test of time."

^This. Like, ALL of this! Wow, GeorgeandDot, I'm glad you came around for this production. I agree, Robbins' choreography is fine and all, but West Side Story has always been a show that need a "reinvention" of sorts, so I share your sentiments!

[Solipsist234]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Solipsist, you seriously need to calm down."

And I think that you should stop telling people what they can or cannot post, thread-baiter! You are not in control here, so I don't have to listen to a single thing you say or post; it's the land of the free anyway, right, BroadwayConcierge?

[Phantom of London]

Doesn’t Scott Rubin generally use Shubert houses?

[Miles2Go2]

I planned on watching my West Side Stoey VHS tonight only to discover that at some time over the last five years of disuse, my VCR died.

Anyway, FYI - I discovered that West Side Story is available via my HBO Go account . I’m about 80 minutes into it. I’m planning to make it the first part of a double feature tonight, followed by Moulin Rouge. I thought it was a good time to re-experience both given news this week of the revival of the former and the beginning out-of-town previews of the latter.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Phantom of London said: "Doesn’t Scott Rubin generally use Shubert houses?"

He seems to go for Shubert or the occasional Jujamcyn theatres.

I do wonder how big the production will be –– if they'll try to go for a big theatre like the Imperial or Winter Garden, or a more intimate house like the Walter Kerr or Shoenfeld. (My guess would be a smaller theatre?)

[BroadwayRox3588]

A lot of it depends on what's available come that time. This production is a long way off, so it's likely that there may be some theatres that open up by then that we aren't thinking about right now (i.e. Broadhurst, Brooks Atkinson, Shubert if Mockingbird closes by then). I'll be interested to see what the landscape looks like when this comes closer.

[enjoyable2]

Given that it's inspired by Shakespeare, the story itself has stood the test of time.  I don't like the movie, mostly because the casting of the leads was pretty awful. But the show is wonderful and if they hire a first-rate cast who can sing it and dance it,  it could be sensational.

[enjoyable2]

Given that it's inspired by Shakespeare, the story itself has stood the test of time.  I don't like the movie, mostly because the casting of the leads was pretty awful. But the show is wonderful and if they hire a first-rate cast who can sing it and dance it,  it could be sensational.

[GaryTokyo]

An odd choice for sure. But the rights holders have spoken, so we can just hope for the best .Strange that it's coming essentially at the same time as the Spielberg film, especially since the approaches of the populist filmmaker and decidedly non-populist stage director are likely to be vastly different. The contrast should be a show in itself. https://sekenbanashi.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/ivo-van-hoves-west-side-story/#more-3393

[ddenoff2]

Alan Johnson’s association with “West Side Story” lasted even longer than his connection to Mr. Brooks. In addition to the roles he played, he became the show’s dance captain, requiring him to learn everyone’s steps and make sure Jerome Robbins’s choreography was followed. That role broadened when Mr. Robbins recommended Mr. Johnson to restage the show with the original choreography for revivals around the country.

“My responsibility is to do exactly what Jerry Robbins put on the stage of the Winter Garden back in 1957,” he told The Los Angeles Times in 1997, when he had restaged about 25 “West Side” productions. “People ask me, ‘Are you tempted to jazz it up?’ and I answer, ‘No.’ ”

He added: “Because it was so good, it’s lasted. It’s become a classic. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Iconic chronography should become part of the merged rights of the authors