Ivo van Hove Will Direct 2020 Broadway Revival of WEST SIDE STORY — Page 6

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "Oddly, the breakdown doesn't specify that Maria must be a Hispanic actress, although that might go without saying at this point."

I have a few casting announcements within the past year that could tell you otherwise...

When I saw the last revival's touring production, I was apprehensive about seeing the show with both "I Feel Pretty" and "Officer Krupke" taking place after the rumble. But then on stage, it sort of made sense. It allowed the tension to break a bit (since there's an intermission already causing a break in the flow and tension). Plus the way they sang "Officer Krupke" started out silly but it ended in a very angry, frustrated tone with the way the teens/young adults felt about their treatment thus far by all the adult figures in their lives and being analyzed as if they were not real people but just statistics to be spoken about.

Anyway, I think the reordering works well on film because they were able to keep the tension going and have it build and build with "Cool" being such a great number to really show off that tension and anger.

I get what some traditionalists are saying. West Side Story was specifically created by Bernstein, Laurents, Sondheim, and Robbins. All of their brains working together to create a whole. The choreography was so integral to the storytelling that changing it is like making changes to the music, lyrics, and book as well. This was a product of the director-choreographer being as much of an author as the book writer, lyricist/composer. While we're making changes, I wonder if they should change "America" to the way the film did or at least adapt it a bit. I kind of think the movie's message criticizing the U.S. rather than Puerto Rico (the way it is on stage) would resonate a lot more these days. Plus, it makes what happens to Anita more tragic as she was bending over backwards telling her friends how much she loves America.

That said, I am looking forward to seeing WSS in a new way.

Updated On: 7/19/18 at 04:12 PM

adamgreer said: "Leaked B-roll footage of the new production!

https://youtu.be/hZ22AejeSII"

I'll take this over another dusty ****ing remake of the original.

Call_me_jorge said: "Are there any rumors as to who will be in the cast or does anyone have a Dreamcast for this production?"

I would do anything to see Solea Pfeiffer as Maria and Jeremy Jordan as Tony again after seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl, although some may say they are too old.

Ana Villafañe as Anita, Ektor Rivera (he may be too old too) as Bernardo, Ruben J. Carbajal as Chino.

As for the ensemble, I would love to see Carlos E. Gonzalez, Max Clayton, Linedy Genao, Jerusha Cavazos, Kalyn West, Jose Rosario, Jr., Carleigh Bettiol, Ryan Vasquez, and Colby Dezelick

Updated On: 1/20/19 at 07:13 PM

Corey Cott did an incredible Tony in DC, and he's doing the role in Chicago this Spring. He is perfect in the role, and he sings the score beautifully. I hope it's him.

bwayboy22 said: "I'd love to see Casey Cott make his Broadway Debut as Tony in this. I think he'd be perfect, but I doubt his Riverdale schedule would allow it :/"

No. Casey Cott has a fine voice and can carry a tune, but Tony requires much more than that. This is not his role.

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 04:05 PM

Corey is a singer and Broadway actor. He is an incredible singer and works on stage. Casey is not a singer, and he is not on Broadway for a reason. No one was talking about Casey.

Corey will do the role twice in two years come Spring. He works on Broadway. He has turned down many television roles to work on stage. He doesn't have a full time job working for television. So, it absolutely won't be his brother.

Anyways, I hope they have already chosen a very strong Tony, hopefully it's Corey.

Both are too old for the part and you're delusional if you think Corey Cott is a "name." West Side Story doesn't need a name to sell tickets. The name of the show is a name enough, especially if it has good word of mouth.

Also this is an Ivo Van Hove production. I wouldn't expect to see conventional casting. I doubt you'll be seeing your favorite <<edited by BWW staff>> chorus boy in the lead role.

Updated On: 1/20/19 at 06:47 PM