International West Side Story Tour

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 8:40pm

Playbill Online: Les Miz's Ewoldt to Star in McKneely-Directed International West Side Story Tour

Ali Ewoldt, who played Cosette in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables, will star as Maria in the upcoming European/international tour of the classic Arthur Laurents-Stephen Sondheim-Leonard Bernstein musical West Side Story.
Tour to open in Germany May 4 with an official opening in Lyon, France, in June. Then Spain, Japan, Israel, Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.

More info from PBOL Article

Updated On: 4/8/09 at 08:40 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 10:00pm

Is she Spanish?

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 10:09pm

She's half Filipina, half Caucasian. She's American.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 10:28pm

I heard there was going to be a tour based on the current revival with the Spanish intact, but I guess this is not it.
McKneely has staged several tours of WEST SIDE STORY in Europe, hasn't he?
Ewoldt is pretty, seems like a good choice.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 10:53pm

He staged the production that was in Germany and Italy recently.

That version included the Nightmare in the Dream Ballet and featured an Anita who could execute the choreography.

Updated On: 4/8/09 at 10:53 PM

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 10:55pm

Aw, Ali Ewoldt is adorable! I'm sure her Maria will be very fun to watch, as well as pretty to listen to.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:13pm

Ali Ewoldt performed an amazing Maria opposite Max von Essen (Tony) at their recent Pittsburgh CLO production of WSS. She had the innocence, vocal range, acting chops, and stage presence. She is a good selection for this tour.

CLO Production

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:42pm

Max Von Essen sings Tony the way Tony should be sung.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:44pm

You mean he sings the actual notes? Imagine that!

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:45pm

PJ. I thought you felt McKneely isn't adequate in reproducing Robbin's original choreogaphy?
Updated On: 4/9/09 at 11:45 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 12:00am

His dancing feet were tied.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 12:22am

Apparently Joey didn't cut the Nightmare until Arthur put those bamboo splints under his fingernails and threatened to waterboard his cat.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 12:39am

PJ, I actually lol-ed, it's funny 'cause it's true.
I believe McNeely was also reluctant to cast Olivo as Anita and Laurents was the one who pushed for her to get the part.
I'd like to see what his direction looks like.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 12:41am

I believe McNeely was also reluctant to cast Olivo as Anita and Laurents was the one who pushed for her to get the part.

- That is actually exactly what Arthur says in his new book. McNeely was reluctant because of her dancing. But Arthur insisted on having her because he never heard an Anita read like that before.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 12:54am

he never heard an Anita read like that before.

Sounds like that scene from All About Eve:

LLOYD: Karen, let me tell you about Eve. She's got everything - a born actress. Sensitive, understanding, young, exciting, vibrant-

KAREN: - don't run out of adjectives, dear.

LLOYD: - everything a playwright first thinks of wanting to write about...until his play becomes a vehicle for ... some lousy dancer who can't act my rape scene!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/11/09 at 4:02pm

I LOVE Ali Ewoldt! Awww. Can't wait to see who else they cast...