Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 55

Mike Faist is going to win an Oscar.

If we want to talk about a classic musical that people wouldn't mind being put on screen for another time, why not South Pacific? It's in Spielberg's wheelhouse in terms of subject matter, could respond well to the same sort of social revisionism he's bringing to West Side Story, and the existing film version isn't considered a classic on the same level as the other R&H films because of the sloppy filmmaking.

Booked tickets for the 11:00 AM IMAX showing on December 10th and was surprised to see that I was the first person to buy tickets for that performance. I then checked the 5:00 PM IMAX screening on December 9th and saw that NO tickets had been sold for that performance yet. Now, several hours later, checking both showings and my tickets are still the only ones that have been purchased. I'm not going to read too much into that but I honestly thought that the pre-sale would be a little bigger than that.

Theatre Fan3 wrote: Booked tickets for the 11:00 AM IMAX showing on December 10th and was surprised to see that I was the first person to buy tickets for that performance. I then checked the 5:00 PM IMAX screening on December 9th and saw that NO tickets had been sold for that performance yet. Now, several hours later, checking both showings and my tickets are still the only ones that have been purchased. I'm not going to read too much into that but I honestly thought that the pre-sale would be a little bigger than that.


I’ve bought movie tickets online for many years. For the most part, people don’t buy tickets to movies as far in advance as they do for Broadway and other live theatre events. I’ve been in fairly full reserved seating movie houses, in Los Angeles, that I’d bought tickets for just two days in advance.

When I purchased the tickets, few seats had been sold.

Stephen Sondheim discusses the new film....

sng said: "any words on the vinyl release? The soundtrack comes out in a few days but I don't see any information on vinyl, I really hope they release it"

According to this article from Business Wire, the vinyl edition will be available "early 2022" - WSS Soundtrack details

Spielberg doesn't strike me as someone who would get excited about dipping into the same well again, so I'd be surprised if we got another major movie musical out of him.

In terms of a contemporary musical, I’m thinking Memphis. One of my favorites and I’ve been wanting to see a feature film adaptation since I saw the proshot ten years ago.

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I remember for a while, Oliver Stone of all people was trying to get a film adaptation of "Memphis" made, with Zac Efron or Justin Timberlake as Hughie.

A fascinating (and sometimes feisty) conversation about West Side Story. I used one of my gift links so everyone should be able to access it.

"The Great ‘West Side Story’ Debate

With the Steven Spielberg film coming soon, three critics, a playwright and a theater historian weigh in on whether the musical deserves a new hearing — and how."

CarlosAlberto said: "Thank you Jason C3 for sharing that article.

The criticism of Natalie Wood's casting in this film is always questioned. As per the article: "Not to mention that the 1961 movie featured the white actress Natalie Wood playing the Latina role of Maria."

I get it under the context of today, but back then there weren't many Latina actresses that could carry a movie, and Natalie was a name that guaranteed box office that the film needed. Other white actresses also auditioned for the role and if Natalie wasn't cast the role would have undoubtedly gone to another white actress. Audrey Hepburn was considered for the role but didn't take it because she was pregnant.

What I find most interesting it that no one ever expresses any objection to Carol Lawrence originating the role in the Original Broadway production. She was white as well.

It's always Natalie that gets singled out, and very unfairly I must add."

I don’t think it was mentioned as an attack on Ms. Wood but on the casting choice in regard to the lack of authentic representation. The creators are also cited as being part of the “problem” the panelists have with this.

However I do agree with you that the casting of Carol Lawrence is never brought up in regards to this.

I think cause Carol Lawrence isn't a name like Natalie Wood was, her performance hasn't been immortalized for 60 years the way Natalie's was and isn't as visually accessible to anyone. And it's less about individual blame on actors and more about the culture and industry that cast Carol and cast Natalie back then.

George Chakiris had to wear makeup to darken his skin as well as Rita. It's all f'ed in that regard.

So I don't think it's ALL on Natalie. She's just the most immediate example that can encompass the issue at large.

Been watching Rita Moreno do interviews and press for the new film today...

It was hard for me to enjoy when she talked about meeting Ariana DeBose and how surreal it was seeing "another Anita." Seemed like she was saying she WAS the only Anita.

I don't know... I wish Chita Rivera was being given props as well. She did, after all, create the role on Broadway. Before the film. Rita has really taken on the ownership of the first film, which makes sense. An Oscar winning performance...

I just wish Chita was being remembered too as this new film comes out.

BCfitasafiddle said: "Been watching Rita Moreno do interviews and press for the new film today...

It was hard for me to enjoy when she talked about meeting Ariana DeBose and how surreal it was seeing "another Anita." Seemed like she was saying she WAS the only Anita.

I don't know... I wish Chita Rivera was being given props as well. She did, after all, create the role on Broadway. Before the film. Rita has really taken on the ownership of the first film, which makes sense. An Oscar winning performance...

I just wish Chita was being remembered too as this new film comes out."

I agree with this. Chita is getting short shrift in that sense, but then again for a film that is claiming to be more aligned to the original stage production as opposed to the original Oscar-winning film the original Broadway cast members aren't even being mentioned.

I was also very surprised that no one from that original 1957 Broadway cast was invited to the recent premiere here in NYC. Russ Tamblyn, Eliot Feld and other members from the original film were in attendance but no one from the original 1957 production was.