Full WSS remake cast announced

[Call_me_jorge]

Tons of broadway folks in the ensemble along with Mike as Riff. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/195492/mike-faist-to-bring-cool-factor-to-steven-spielbergs-west-side-story-film-as-riff/

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but man this really shows how much power Spielberg has with casting his films. If it was another director I’m sure we’d be getting more Hollywood faces, but since he can afford to lose money he’s more willing to risk everything on talent. 

[ariel175]

I'm glad to see so many musical performers involved, future directors take note!

I recognized three So You Think You Can Dance alums in the ensemble, Jess LeProtto with the Jets, and winners Ricky Ubeda and Gaby Diaz with the Sharks.  

I wonder what kind of role Maddie Ziegler is playing?  She's only listed as part of the Jets.  I'm guessing she'll be either Riff's girlfriend, Velma/Graziella, or Anybodys since those seem like the characters someone of her fame level would play in an ensemble.  

Edit: Now that I think about it, they might even take the chance to cast someone who's non-binary as Anybodys.  

[everythingtaboo]

More than a few of these folks are currently in shows now or soon, aren't they? When do they start filming? I can imagine a lot of hiring of vacation swings and understudies are going to get hired pretty soon.

[Madison7]

I'm recognizing so many names from the Mean Girls and Newsies ensemble, which makes me happy. Also, do you guys think that they will put Maddie in a singing role? Because I feel like she will be put in a "featured dancer" role.

[bekk99]

I believe it starts filming early summer. I remember seeing a casting call for extras.

[JudyDenmark]

ariel175 said: "I wonder what kind of role Maddie Ziegler is playing? She's only listed as part of the Jets. I'm guessing she'll be either Riff's girlfriend, Velma/Graziella, or Anybodys since those seem like the characters someone of her fame level would play in an ensemble."

I was assuming Graziella since it's a featured dancing role

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Paloma Garcia-Lee who’s in the ensemble is playing Graziella; she confirmed it on Instagram.

[Dave28282]

This is fantastic! 

It must be a revelation for directors and producers to find out that some people can actually "act through song" on screen instead of "act in spite of song".

We have known that for years. Finally we can have a musical movie where the artform feels natural again. Tom Hooper must be completely confused and numbed by this news.

[bk]

With the exception of Ms. Wood and Mr. Beymer, the original film was loaded with WSS stage veterans for the dancers.

[mailhandler777]

ariel175 said: "Edit: Now that I think about it, they might even take the chance to cast someone who's non-binary as Anybodys. "

Ez Menas(Lauren Pattens understudy in Jagged Little Pill) is non binary and they are cast as a Jet. 

[BwayLB]

ariel175 said: "I'm glad to see so many musical performers involved, future directors take note!

I recognized three So You Think You Can Dance alums in the ensemble, Jess LeProtto withthe Jets, and winners Ricky Ubeda and Gaby Diaz with the Sharks.

I wonder what kind of role Maddie Ziegler is playing? She's only listed as part of the Jets. I'm guessing she'll be either Riff's girlfriend, Velma/Graziella, or Anybodys since those seem like the characters someone of her fame level would play in an ensemble.

Edit: Now that I think about it, they might even take the chance to cast someone who's non-binary as Anybodys. "

I just recently saw Jess LeProtto in the Hello Dolly tour

[Call_me_jorge]

^ I believe Jess left Hello, Dolly on March 24th

[KathyNYC2]

Talia Ryder played Hortensia in Matilda..both before, during and after her little sister MiMi played Matilda (and now is at Frozen). She is listed as one of the Jets. Those Ryder girls..

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Somehow I can't picture Mike Faist doing the kind of dance-crobatics that Russ Tamblyn performed in the original movie...

As much as I like Spielberg and his vision when it comes to films, I can't help but feel he should have picked something else to put a new spin on. Simply because the movie adaptation of West Side Story is considered a true classic.

[herewegoabc]

Mike Faist is a dancer. He was also an original cast member of Newsies.

[LuPita2]

I loved him in Newsies, he will be wonderful as Riff.  

[PatrickDC]

Call_me_jorge said: "^ I believe Jess left Hello, Dollyon March 24th"

Yep, as did Garret Hawe (Ambrose) who is also a Jet. 

[ariel175]

BwayLB said: "ariel175 said: "I'm glad to see so many musical performers involved, future directors take note!

I recognized three So You Think You Can Dance alums in the ensemble, Jess LeProtto withthe Jets, and winners Ricky Ubeda and Gaby Diaz with the Sharks.

I wonder what kind of role Maddie Ziegler is playing? She's only listed as part of the Jets. I'm guessing she'll be either Riff's girlfriend, Velma/Graziella, or Anybodys since those seem like the characters someone of her fame level would play in an ensemble.

Edit: Now that I think about it, they might even take the chance to cast someone who's non-binary as Anybodys. "

I just recently saw Jess LeProtto in the Hello Dolly tour"

I saw Jess when it was on Broadway and I probably saw him in Newsies and On the Town.  I first got into So You Think You Can Dance when Gaby was on so now when I look through my playbill collection I'm always surprised at how many contestants I saw!