Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story "concept" — Page 3

#51

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 11:36am

All male cast, with women's part in drag. And the cast will all play instruments.

The show is closed down, because the insurance company drops them for breaking too many instruments while trying to dance with them.

#52

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 11:58am

#53

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 3:39pm

In all seriousness, I'd like to see:

1 - Actual teenagers
2 - Actual Hispanics
3 - Talking like humans talk
4 - Choreography by Rennie Harris
5 - A couple black Jets (It's about immigration, not race)
6 - The Sharks are called "Los Tiburones" and speak Spanish to each other. Their part of the Quintet and "I Feel Pretty" are entirely in Spanish. "America" is sung in Spanish by the men and English by the ladies.

#54

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 6:53pm

Yes, but they're only playing Tony and Maria as a child.

#55

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:46pm

It has to be something to do with the dance. Maybe Laurents and Sondheim are the ones to convince Robbins. As a person of a different generation, it seems to me too much like a ballet piece than a musical theatre piece.

okay, get the poisoned arrows ready . . .

By the way DrTheatre, very funny. :)
Broadway Blog: About the Longest-Running Shows List

#56

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:49pm

It will be reset with the jocks vs the actors. There will be a sequel..WSS 2.

#57

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:59pm

its all done with lamb puppets.

#58

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/20/07 at 10:03pm

One word...





TURNTABLE.

And, in addition, Maria will be green.

Last edit I swear. I just thought about this. Anyone else have a feeling they might reconcieve it "Spring Awakening" style? It kind of fits the bill.

---

Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.

Updated On: 12/20/07 at 10:03 PM

#59

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:04pm

On this week's edition of NY1's On Stage, Carol Lawrence spilled the beans. Apparently in the new Laurents version, Tony and Maria will not be able to speak each other's language, so they'll have to struggle to understand and communicate with one another. Anita and Bernardo, however, will be bilingual.

Interesting.

---

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 12/23/07 at 12:04 PM

#60

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:12pm

Would that mean she would sing in Spanish? Or that it would be in English, but just implicit that they don't understand each other?

---

I recognize the addiction to being alive.

#61

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:13pm

"On this week's edition of NY1's On Stage, Carol Lawrence spilled the beans. Apparently in the new Laurents version, Tony and Maria will not be able to speak each other's language, so they'll have to struggle to understand and communicate with one another. Anita and Bernardo, however, will be bilingual. "


So I guess we know Laurents is a fan of "The Light in the Piazza."

---

-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#62

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:21pm

That really does make sense.

I'd love to hear Sondheim's alternate lyrics to "I Feel Pretty."

Has anyone ever heard it?

---

What great ones do the less will prattle of

#63

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:36pm

As much as I'd love to see it...I don't know how well this is going to go over with the general public. A lot of people will want to understand what they're hearing and get angry when they can't. I'd LOVE to see real teenagers used. I think that would be the best way to go about it. Go on both a nationwide and worldwide search to find the most talented teenagers.

#64

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:39pm

^Even have a TV show about it!! Let America decide!

---

-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#65

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:49pm

I think it is going to be the stage version of Bring It On: In It To Win It. The competing teams in the movie are The Sharks and the Jets. I know that's what he has up his sleeve!

---

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#66

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 4:06pm

Compared to all the other ideas that have been thrown out on this thread, that is really disappointing.

#67

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 4:11pm

So Maria will have to sing in Spanish???

#68

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 4:13pm

Am I the only one surprised that neddyfrank isn't trying to claim that he knew it all along, but didn't want to spoil it?

---

-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#69

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 4:14pm

I think the concept will work pretty well (it did fine with Piazza, and this show audiences already are familiar with, so they won't be lost even if they don't understand any Spanish). I still hope they hire actual teenagers to play the roles though. A 16 year-old Maria makes so much more sense, and rings so much truer that a 25-year old. And the talent is out there, for sure...they just have to look a little harder.

Akiva

#70

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 9:53pm

Carol Lawrence didn't spill the beans. The casting breakdown went out several weeks ago. They have an opening date, too.

#71

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/23/07 at 11:22pm

What is the Opening Date?

My guess is they will take the St. James.

#72

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/24/07 at 12:45am

Yeah, when is the opening date???

#73

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/24/07 at 2:17am

The concept is extremely interesting - exciting even - but what about his remark the production will be contemporary? This concept doesn't solve the problem that the show's situation and book are quite dated.

#74

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/24/07 at 2:24am

I mean, Womb to Tomb screams DATED.

Updated On: 12/24/07 at 02:24 AM

#75

re: Speculate on the mysterious West Side Story 'concept'

Posted: 12/24/07 at 2:45am

If you see WSS in any language in the universe and you don't know what's going on, you have no business even being a fan of musical theater.