I Hate Wayne Cilento.

[Social*Dynasty]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:10am

I hate him. I feel like everytime he has the chance, he throws brilliant, or possibly brilliant moments right into the gutter. The least offensive was Aida, until I went to a preview of Wicked and saw at least two of the exact same stage pictures...and then there's this whole Charity mess. And I hear (and am praying day and night that it ain't true) that he's choreographing the pending revial of 'the wiz'? What he lacks in graciousness I wish he could make up for in skill and imagination, but obviously that's entirely too much to ask.

[Schmack]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:23am

The choreography from "AIDA" has quite a few dances where it seems like he said "Okay, Ensemble...run around a few times and then do any type of leap or jump that you want and then fall to the floor and run around and then scream and go touch Aida." Highly disappointing.

And "SWEET CHARITY" should never be done without the original Fosse choreography.

But, if you watch those Broadway dvd's from PBS with the bonus feature of the "Making Of WICKED" extra segment, it shows a number cut from the show that was ultimately replaced by the song "Dancing Through Life." In my opinion, the choreography in this production number was brilliant. I'm sad it hasn't been seen on the stage in full production since the Cali version. And Wayne Cilento will tell you himself he did nothing more in "WICKED" than "musical staging."

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:25am

Cilento should receive the least of the blame for the Sweet Charity mess. Though it is not the Fosse choreography and that was a bad choice, Cilento's works is one of the best pieces of that flop.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:30am

Hate is such a ugly word. Dislike his work or coregraphy if you like.. but hating the man? Yikes. I am not a fan of his work.. But Glebb; from what I understand from a lot of folks that have seen Charity this week is that yes the coreography is uninspired but that the audience is eating the show up and loving it.

Updated On: 4/24/05 at 11:30 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:32am

Bush is very popular too.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:36am

Don't rag on Wayne Cilento. He comes from one of the hottest spots for Modern Dance in the late 60's early 70's, SUNY Brockport.

My father who took classes with Wayne in college said watching AIDA was like being back in one of their Modern classes from Brockport.

As far as Wicked goes. Cilento did what he could. It's hard to end a number when the song itself has no 'button'.

Haven't seen Charity so I can't speak. But Wayne Cilento is a giant talent and an amazing dancer.

Updated On: 4/24/05 at 11:36 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:38am

Glebb;
That hurt. That hurt bad.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 12:42pm

Exactly, musical theatre is NOT modern dance and Cilento treats it like that (Wicked is full of modern dance infusion). Modern dance can be used sparingly, but come on Cilento. I just find his work really really bland and very pedestrian. I don't hate him, BUT I have to admit, when I see his name underneath choreography, I dread what I am about to see.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 1:13pm

His mor recent shows have been bland and confused, but I'll tell you, that choreography for Tommy was something else, especially the little moments like "Sparks."

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 1:14pm

Well, the way Cilento choreographs is that he will at points have the cast make up their own dance. He will tell them OK, do what you want here.... And thats from an Aida cast member.