WEST SIDE STORY (2019 Revival) Preview Thread- Page 23

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 6:19pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "I’d heard from many people that Ben Cook was dreadful in the role. Is it possible there’s more to the story?"

He wasn't the most persuasive singer, but very very far from dreadful.

 

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 6:23pm

I’d heard from many people that Ben Cook was dreadful in the role. Is it possible there’s more to the story?

Ben Cook is an amazing dancer, and all of his roles on Broadway have been dance heavy. The thing about him is that he is not a strong singer, at all. The complaints on here about him haven't come out and SAID it, but he speaks sings, that's about it. They obviously knew this upon casting, so I would be pretty surprised if they removed him after an entire month of performances. But, I am shocked he won't be coming back and this is the end for him for the show. I look forward to him playing Mouthpiece in the film. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 6:46pm

JBroadway said: "GreasedLightning said: "It is a heartbreaking shame for Ben to have to depart the show, but come on people. Someone literally lost their life over at Spiderman. Let’s not compare this to that. "

Common misconception fueled by the malicious exaggerations about Spider-Man. Not a single person died."

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 6:47pm

When we saw Ben between Christmas and New Years, he was a thrilling performer with a unique powerful vibe onstage (and possibly the only blond guy up there). Amazing dancer, excellent actor with a scary edge and a slightly higher speaking voice than you'd expect for Riff, which made his Riff really one of a kind.

And no, he was not the best singer onstage (his Jet Song was problematic), but he really nailed the notes in "Cool", so maybe his trouble with the first song was just nerves. I'm sad he won't be back in the show. He was a star in the making.

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 7:54pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "When we saw Ben between Christmas and New Years, he was a thrilling performer with a uniquepowerful vibe onstage (and possibly the only blond guy upthere). Amazing dancer, excellent actor with a scary edge and a slightly higher speaking voice than you'd expect forRiff, whichmade his Riff really one of a kind.

And no, he was not the best singer onstage (his Jet Song was problematic), but he really nailed the notes in "Cool", so maybe his troublewith the first song was just nerves. I'm sad he won't be back in the show. He was a star in the making."

He still could be.  Thanks to the Newsies proshot, he has become a decently-sized name in the Newsies fandom, to the point where it got a little out of control when he was in Mean Girls, to say the least.

[orph3us]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 8:04pm

MollyJeanneMusic said: "Thanks to the Newsies proshot, he has become a decently-sized name in the Newsies fandom, to the point where it got a little out of control when he was in Mean Girls, to say the least."

When I saw Mean Girls, the girl next to me at the stage door asked every single cast member when he would be coming out until somebody, forgetting who, told her he would not be coming out and she screamed in his face and stormed off. The person then said ”and that's why...” quietly and returned to signing. I haven't checked Instagram but I hope there isn't is negativity against Ben’s replacement, and anger from fans in general. Wishing him the best

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 8:19pm

orph3us said: "MollyJeanneMusic said: "Thanks to the Newsies proshot, he has become a decently-sized name in the Newsies fandom, to the point where it got a little out of control when he was in Mean Girls, to say the least."

When I saw Mean Girls, the girl next to me at the stage door asked every single cast member when he would be coming out until somebody, forgetting who,told her he would not be coming out and she screamed in his face and stormed off. The person then said ”and that's why...” quietly and returned to signing. I haven't checked Instagram but I hope there isn't is negativity against Ben’s replacement, and anger from fans in general. Wishing him the best"

Luckily, people haven't been like that this time.  I couldn't find anything on Instagram, but on Twitter, underneath the BWW post, the formulaic response has basically been, "Feel better Ben, good luck Dharon, now fire Amar."  

(I doubt the responses would tell Dharon to break a leg, for...pretty obvious reasons.)

[cfbrrr]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 8:24pm

I saw Mia Pinero, the understudy, go on the other night as Maria, and I think she maybe could be the next Audra NcDonald, she’s that good.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 8:55pm

What is the choreography like in this show that it’s now taken out two performers? Ben was a Newsie, can there be a more physically demanding dance show?! I’m being facetious, but really, how intense is the choreo?

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 8:58pm

https://youtu.be/SiZVrTaC9Pg

[glnLOVESbroadway]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 9:23pm

Saw the 8pm 1/4 show. Initially I was nervous with the seating because I was in row D but I found the projections to be pristine and powerful. The entire rumble scene is thrilling, like others have noted while watching the rain was breathtaking but also left me somewhat uneasy for the actors on stage.

I found Ben Cook's Riff to be unique. As noted above his natural speaking voice is a bit higher than expected for this character but oddly it worked for me. Not the strongest singer in the world but I believe his dancing and overall presence on stage made up for that. Sad to hear he won't be continuing with the production.

In regard to crazy stage door fans... there was a young girl next to me at stage door who gushed over Cook and admitted she only saw this production because he was in it. She also explained to me that he was her favorite in Mean Girls which I found very odd. She proceeded to full on ball when he came out... to each their own I guess. 

Updated On: 1/9/20 at 09:23 PM

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 9:45pm

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "What is the choreography like in this show that it’s now taken out two performers? Ben was a Newsie, can there be a more physically demanding dance show?! I’m being facetious, but really, how intense is the choreo?"

No rain in Newsies. They are getting injured in the rain, and as cool as it looks to the audience, the safety of the performers should come first. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 9:47pm

I’m picturing van Hove standing at the back of the house during a tech rehearsal, rubbing his chin and thinking “Rain. Yeah. Rain will look cool.”

[JPeterman]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 9:57pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "When we saw Ben between Christmas and New Years, he was a thrilling performer with a uniquepowerful vibe onstage (and possibly the only blond guy upthere). Amazing dancer, excellent actor with a scary edge and a slightly higher speaking voice than you'd expect forRiff, whichmade his Riff really one of a kind.

And no, he was not the best singer onstage (his Jet Song was problematic), but he really nailed the notes in "Cool", so maybe his troublewith the first song was just nerves. I'm sad he won't be back in the show. He was a star in the making."

 

Perfectly said.  I loved his speaking voice, he came across as kind of this “I’m not scared of nothin” small, tough guy  .... he is petite and athletic like a gymnast, and his slightly high voice gave him sort of a Napoleon complex kind of vibe.  Like he had a chip on his shoulder ... a crazy, fearless, unpredictable, dangerous, I would do anything sort of persona.
 

I’m so glad I got to see him.  He was wonderful in the role, despite his less than stellar singing voice.  His attitude, physicality and speaking voice more than made up for it. I agree ... a potential future star.

 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 10:23pm

Ben is a stellar dancer, he always seems to be giving 150% which I appreciate. I remember watching him in “Tuck Everlasting” and thinking, who is that kid?! One of the few redeeming parts in that show for me. It’s a shame gimmicks are being used at the expense of the performers, is there no one on the creative team, not even the choreographer who will step up and say this isn’t working and it’s hazardous to the performers. I haven’t seen it yet, but is it adding anything to the story to have a rain storm or is it just a look thing? I can’t think that the number it’s used in is being executed to its fullest if the performers have in the back of their heads, my colleague got hurt doing this, and they’re probably not dancing, as Mitchell says, full out.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 10:31pm

Just to be clear, the rain begins during the rumble and then CONTINUES FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. So it’s not a question of just one number, but the main concept for the last 40 minutes of the show.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 10:58pm

So the concept is the rain. Maybe it’s just not sustainable for 8x a week.

[schubox]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 11:10pm

Sucks to hear about Cook. I saw the show last Friday and I thought he was great. And I thought the rain was such a powerful element in the show. But maybe they need to find a sustainable way to use it

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 11:27pm

Sadly actors are expendable. Maybe Equity will step in but doubt it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 11:33pm

Did anyone else notice that Powell took Tony out of his Instagram bio?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/9/20 at 11:46pm

ljay889 said: "Did anyone else notice that Powell took Tony out of his Instagram bio?"

He's still on the website though, unlike Ben Cook. I think he probably did it so people can't accuse him of false advertising that he's in the show while he's out. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 1/10/20 at 12:35am

Powell deleted his entire Instagram. The account is there, but it’s completely blank. No posts. No bio. I wouldn’t read too far into that.

[A Director]

Posted: 1/10/20 at 3:31am

If actors are being injured because of the rain, it should be cut. Better yet, the director and cheograpier should be forced to do the show 8 times a week.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/10/20 at 6:28am

I wonder if AEA will step in and tell them to reduce the rain or cut it if actors keep getting injured.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/10/20 at 10:45am

GreasedLightning said: "Powell deleted his entire Instagram. The account is there, but it’s completely blank. No posts. No bio. I wouldn’t read too far into that. "

Not saying it means anything, but he still had Tony listed once he deleted everything. Now Tony is gone.