Anyone seeing WEST SIDE STORY in D.C. today? — Page 7

The costumes at the curtain call are awful but the ones in the dress shop scene dont seem so bad, much more fiftites. Im wondering if theres some reason for them being so very different at the finale. They're only 3 days into previews, Im sure alot will change before they hit Broadway

Just a general comment. The Washington tryout is exactly that -- a tryout. This is the time when the creative/performing staffs can get a sense of what's working, what's not. It hasn't even been seen by the Washington critics yet, so any condemnatory remarks are premature, at best. The people involved didn't get where they are by being stupid. At this point, shaddup already and let the real work begin.

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I absolutely agree with you bethnor since i know most of those dancers in WSS you just mentioned. They DO have that fantastic training we're talking about, but they are in the minority in the scheme of Broadway dance talent these days.

"Just a general comment. The Washington tryout is exactly that -- a tryout. This is the time when the creative/performing staffs can get a sense of what's working, what's not."

Exactly. And this is why criticism from the audience IS appropriate in a forum like this. These boards are monitored and this is a way to let them know what's working and what isn't, from the only reviewer who counts. The AUDIENCE.

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Photos look like a community theater production from 1994.

It's a song about longing for a better place, safe and far from gang warfare, and you hear the voice of a little boy. The boy soprano reminded me of a lost innocence, and I found it quite sad and moving, actually.

oo, Yero, that gives me chills. (it also helps that I adore boy sopranos with the fire of a thousand suns. in a non-creepy way)

I'm so excited to see this production when it moves to Broadway.

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Oh... nevermind, my bad.

Though girl sopranos don't creep me out.

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What!? Are we still talking about West Side Story?

Or that's what he said.

I mean like the inside like musical numbers
Thanks though.

And this is why criticism from the audience IS appropriate in a forum like this. These boards are monitored and this is a way to let them know what's working and what isn't, from the only reviewer who counts.

Though what you say is true, it seems like overkill is going on. What is also true is that people seem to be using every little reason to declare that this production will be a disaster. A lot of that could be argued to be Laurents' own doing, but be that as it may. It's worth noting, that, in 7 pages, there is little concern or consideration as to the quality of the dancing, singing, or acting, as if these things play second fiddle to the costumes and sets.

Most of the comments so far, even in the NEW thread, seem to be about the dancers' physiques and the costumes. If anyone here can go to the corps de ballet of the Joffrey, ABT, Juilliard, etc., and find a dancer who can do the Robbins choreography eight times a week who looks like a wiry street urchin who lives in poverty, please do so and post a pic. That is the way the majority of modern male ballet dancers look and it can't be helped, and those are the places that many of the Jets and Sharks were culled from, which are considered our leading institutions in ballet.

Yes, some of the costumes are hideous, but the worst offenders were present for ONE number. Hopefully that will change. Yes, the miniskirts are probably inappropriate, but in retrospect, I have to wonder how much of that is functionality for some tweaking to the choreography.

Lastly, for Cody Green's consideration as a performer to begin at Center Stage 2, is not a fair thing, IMHO. He has danced a lead role for Twyla Tharp, opposite former ABT PRINCIPALS, Keith Roberts and Elizabeth Parkinson and held his own.
Here is an old user review:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=6&boardname=off&thread=903629#2323762

Sadly, I'm late to the action, so there it is. Again, that's not the end all or be all of anything, but in terms of classical dance training, I don't think that's anything to be scoffed at. But maybe it is?...

The playbills are very spare, there's nothing in there that you won't find on the website.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 09:23 PM

These dancers managed to dance Robbins' choreography eight times a week...






... Of course they didn't go to corps de-hoo-ha and the Whatnot Ballet company... but they seemed to manage both the dances they were given AND looked like the characters they are representing.

My ENTIRELY PERSONAL gripe comes strictly from what I see in the A CHORUS LINE like line-up in the curtain call photo.

But what I don't see - again, STRICTLY from the ONE photo - is the grit and under-development that comes from oppressive urban living in the 50's.

What I do see is a line up of Chelsea boys who look like they are on their way to get a facial after having worked on their delts all afternoon.

Live I'm sure it is very different... and this in no way will prevent me from seeing the production.

But I will be disappointed if I enter the Palace, take my seat and see the last two dozen cover models of MENS FITNESS snapping and leaping to the Bernstein score.

I remember having such a reaction when I saw JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY... but then it didn't much matter because we were there to see the "dance" and it was a revue.

But now ... with all the effort to make this production more authentic... it will be a let down - TO ME - if dancers aren't convincing age and circumstance appropriate.

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Updated On: 12/18/08 at 12:19 AM