Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

#1

Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 11:45am

When Laurents returns, he'll be at the Palace Theatre, putting the finishing touches on his $14 million bilingual revival of "West Side Story."

This one has the feel of a hit (even in this economy), although some tinkering is definitely in order, production sources say.

The producers of "West Side Story" are making a Talmudic study of Marks' review, which "will be our road map," says a production source.

Changes will be made.

https://www.nypost.com/seven/01142009/entertainment/theater/bye_gypsy__go_west_150096.htm

#2

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:16pm

Laurents may be a dick, but he's smart. I'm very happy to hear that there will be changes.

It's tiring to see so many shows try-out out of town and then not make the changes that became apparent during that run, leaving one to wonder why do the try-out in the first place? *cough* High Fidelity. Pirate Queen. *cough*

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"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
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#3

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:21pm

It's the first time I read the review from The Washington Post, and totally agree with what he had to say.

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Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

#4

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:30pm

I second that Laurents is a VERY WISE man, and I have the utmost confidence that the show that opens at the Palace will be nothing short of magnificent.

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"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
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"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
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#5

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:32pm

I liked it already, can't wait to see it in March!!!

#6

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:34pm

Maybe the producers are reading the review religously but I don't see Laurents listening to anyone.
I see very few changes happening.
(make the Jet girls skirts longer!)

#7

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:36pm

No. That's what you're HOPING for. That he makes no changes. Because you want the revival to FAIL.

#8

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:55pm

I doubt the costumes will get an overhaul, but expect the other changes. I was saying this when everyone started judging the production based on one picture, from curtain call no less! Laurents is old-school B'way and he knows the importance and purpose of an out-of-town try-out.

#9

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:57pm

Well if the producers are so closely following Marks' review, I am now officially upset that he didn't mention the removal of the nightmare and using the Something's Coming ending movie note instead of the original note.

But at least some positive changes will be made.

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"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli

#10

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 12:59pm

What's wrong with using the movie ending note? I assume Bernstein allowed them to use that note for the movie.

#11

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 1:05pm

The production went through changes here in DC; then was frozen. Laurents has time to still make changes in NYC with an entirely new preview period before opening. He probably made the changes he could in DC without blowing the budget and decided to put the $$ towards changes in NYC (new costumes please!)

#12

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 1:18pm

Calm down, I don't want it to fail.
It's one of my favs and I want a lot of people to see it live.
Just because I had problems with it that is my opinion and nothing more.

#13

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 1:56pm

It's never been a secret that Laurents disliked Mendes's "Gypsy". I doubt Mendes pouted in his trailer. Riedel can be so pathetic.

With the exception of Boyd Gaines's ballsy Herbie, there was nothing in this new "Gypsy" we haven't seen before. The 2003 revival plunged deeper into the psychology of "Gypsy" than any other production has. Was it as loud and angry as this production? No. But if all musical theater were to conform to Arthur Laurents idea of the genre, Broadway would be a very monotonous place.

But I sincerely wish this "West Side Story" to be a hit and hope the Spanish dialogue feels less gimmicky than it sounds.

#14

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 2:49pm

Thanks for posting this. Good to hear that there will be changes. I think the points that Marks' writes about in his review seem to be the areas that people are concerned about. I guess the director will really have to work with Cody since it seems he is the one that was singled out for not really working as a character.

I'm sure this production will be FANTASTIC by the time it hits Broadway. I can't wait to see it in April!!!

#15

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 2:57pm

I'm with you on the Mendes comment by Reidel. Why would Mendes, and acclaimed award winning stage and film director, refuse to come out of his trailer for a high profile motion picture based on something Laurents, a presence in theatre but no longer in film, said? It's preposterous.

#16

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 3:09pm

Because Arthur has an almost-diabolical way of getting under someone's skin. Robbins had it too.

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#17

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 3:15pm

Riedel is kissing ass.

If they are going to follow the Peter Marks review, does that mean they are going to replace the male cast members?

#18

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 6:08pm

I was actually quite shocked at the tone of the column. I was expecting him to come out with a whole "word from insiders in DC is bad" kind of angle. Whether he is kissing butt or not, it was good PR for the show...if people other than theatre folk look at the column.

#19

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 6:21pm

I'm predicting all-out raves, no matter what work they do or not do.

If Arthur is taking his yearly skiing trip, he's either confident or the producers are having someone do the work without him there. (David Saint?) Riedel said "The producers...are making a Talmudic study of Marks' review, which 'will be our road map,' says a production source."

He didn't say Arthur is making a Talmudic study.

But most likely, Arthur is cool and confident, despite any out-of-town buzz.

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#20

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 9:03pm

I'm predicting all-out raves, no matter what work they do or not do.

Is this like predicting Pal Joey would make Matthew Risch a STAR?

Is Arthur still under your skin?

#21

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 9:07pm

The trouble is, despite his bitchiness, Arthur Laurents is actually talented. With no disrespect to PalJoey, I don't really think Risch is.

#22

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 9:07pm

To paraphrase Cole Porter, "So deep in my heart, he's really a part of me. I've got him under my skin."

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#23

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 9:20pm

I will say this. Bitchy or not, Arthur Laurents' revival of Gypsy was one of the best nights I've ever spent in the theatre. I honestly initially went to see Patti but in seeing this production, I finally understood this musical's place in musical theatre history.

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#24

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 10:24pm

I've heard that when the cast begins rehearsals and previews in New York, Laurents is going back to square one with the show, going through it, working out all the kinks, figuring out what things work best. I have a feeling there will be quite a few changes.

Updated On: 1/14/09 at 10:24 PM

#25

re: Riedel on GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY...

Posted: 1/14/09 at 10:46pm

There's no need to going back to square one, if you mean the original idea: EAST SIDE STORY (Wasps vs Jews).
I say just minimize the set a bit, skirts longer and lots of scene work with the male leads.
It's WEST SIDE STORY, it should find an audience.
(fire Schrank).

Updated On: 1/14/09 at 10:46 PM