Hey, I was just wondering about whether or not West Side Story was in the talks of doing a revival in the next year or two. A director of mine spoke to his friend who apparently found out that an upcoming revival of West Side Story was in the works. I don't know how he got the info. Also I could have sworn I read a post about it on here a very long time ago when The Wiz revival was in the talks. Please could someone help me out here?! thanks.
Updated On: 4/3/05 at 10:56 PM
I remember when David Miller was still in La Bohème on Broadway (or possibly San Francisco), he was considered for Tony. Of course, now he's off singing crap popera thanks to Simon Cowell, so there goes that one... Il Divo!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
you don't think it's necessary at "this point in time"?!!!!
yeah sure, it's not necessary "at this point in time"...it's been over 20 years since this show has been revived on Broadway. i would say it's way OVERDUE for a MAJOR broadway revival if only to show the newer generation what a great musical looks like on a Broadway stage as opposed to half of the schlock being passed off nowadays.
yes, they were planning a West Side Story revival, but they ended up post-poning it until 2007 to make it a 50th anniversary extravaganza! yes, i've only heard this information, and no, it's not 100% reliable...but it's what i've heard and read.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
well blah. there are so many better revivals that could take place. but maybe sara ramirez will take on anita. maybe then it'll be palatable. with michael arden as tony...
I would say Sarah Ramirez is a bit too old for Maria, and Michael Arden, while vocally perfect for Tony, I doubt he can dance well enough. Why would you need certain performers to make WSS "palatable?" It's one of the greatest shows EVER written...what are some of the "so many better revivals" that you seem to prefer?
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
Sidenote: I would love to see Cheyenne Jackson as Tony. Has anyone else heard the clips of him singing WSS from his website? Its great.
Why the hell am up up this late...damn caffine.
I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!
Not Cheyenne. Why don't they cast actors who actually look like the teenagers they're playing? I heard that La Guardia High School (?) in New York put on an absolutely stunning production a few months ago, made all the more powerful because the performers were the right age.
I believe Jerry Mitchell is slated to direct the planned 2007 revival.
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
Well yes. That was more of a complaint that I didn't see him when he was in it. Then again I had no clue who he was at that point.
I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!
Yes -- I believe it's written into the rights of all Robbins' musicals that all productions must reproduce his choreography (that's why the current revival of FIDDLER, while touting to be a reconceived version, still retains Robbins' dancing).
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
I don't get why not. You'd think West Side Story would have an automatic advantage in the "what will we revive next" sweepstakes because of how well-known its movie version is.
Maybe we should go to Roundabout and try to push it as a Sondheim revival.
Yup, last year my high school did West Side Story and we had to wait a little while to make sure we could obtain the rights because we heard there might have been a revival too(we're blocked from doing any shows currently on Broadway). Then we heard the 2007 thing too, but also because they definitely wanted to have performers the appropriate age and didn't think that was possible at this point, so they were going to wait a couple of years. Here's hoping!
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
BlueWizard, the L.A. County High School of the Arts (LACHSA) which is "our" FAME high school (and on the campus of Cal State University Los Angeles, where I teach) is doing West Side Story at the gorgeous classic Alex Theater in Glendale on April 15th and 16th. I can't wait! These kids are amazing! And you're right, this is a show that is perfect for high school kids to do. I've seen a zillion musicals, and I've never seen WSS on stage. This is something to look forward to!