MATT CAVANAUGH AND CODY GREENE MUST BE REPLACED! — Page 2

What do testicles have to do with anything?

The Charleston - Do you have any idea what the acting process is like? For some actors, it takes time to get into a role. How many weeks of rehearsal did this production of West Side Story have before it went into previews?

"I think that's why Matt is falling short in so many peoples' eyes."

Ohhh sooooo many people. Two anonymous posters on a theater board. FIRE HIM NOW!!

I thought Matt was fine -- but no one in the show has the vocal "chops" that the original cast did. I did long for the music to really "soar."

Even Josefina -- who was so perfect as Maria in so many ways -- has a very "light" soprano.

Oh, how lovely! I wish I'd known at the time that I was speaking to BWW members *s*

I don't think Matt's vocals were "bad" but I know I've heard him do better.

---

I think many of you need to check your history on West Side Story. Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence were BLASTED for their lack of singing ability. They sang sharp. Both of them. Harsh notices from the critics about their acting, too.

In fact nobody got great reviews as a performer with the exception of Chita's dancing (which was more group praise than individual).

No one from the original cast got a Tony nomination.

Just a reminder to those of you who say they cast brilliant singers and actors in the original production, and "why can't they do that now?"

They didn't. At least, not according to the people who were there at the time.


EDIT: I must correct my own "history." Carol Lawrence DID receive a Tony nomination for Maria as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She was the only performer nominated. She didn't win.

The only Tonys that the original production won were for Choreography and Scenic Design.

---

Updated On: 12/22/08 at 10:39 AM

The choreography was the star of the original production. Even the music reviews were "mixed" at the time.

Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert were both cast because they could dance, as well as act and sing. But dancing was the primary reason for getting them hired. As with Chita and the rest of the cast.

Then, as the rehearsal process went on, the dancing for the two leads was reduced to next-to-nothing. Carol Lawrence (in particular) was crushed by the creative decisions. She was primarily a "dancer who could also sing and act." Now, she was doing almost NO dancing in the show, and she was going to be judged as a "stand and sing" soprano. She couldn't compete with the Barbara Cooks and Julie Andrewses of the day. She wasn't in their league. But that wasn't why they had cast her initially.

Nevertheless, when the show opened, they both faced harsh criticism. Particularly about their singing, but also their acting. At least Chita got noticed for her dancing ability. But that was about it. The cast was considered (in general) a group of very capable, young dancers who didn't know much about singing or acting. And weren't up to the demands of the "strange and unusual" material.

It's funny how history rewrites itself over the years.

---