Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 7

CT2NYC said: "Not that it has anything to do with when the new movie takes place, since, according to the show's official website,West Side Story takes place in the mid-1950's, definitively,but I'm sure Brody was referring to what Tony Kushner saidin this article:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/west-side-story-remake-spielberg-tony-kushner

The playwright said that the new adaptation will not be an exact retelling of Robert Wise’s iconic 1961 film, starring Natalie Wood,Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno,andGeorge Chakiris.Instead, Spielberg’s version will turn back to the original 1957 Broadway musical written by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics byStephen Sondheim.

“It’s not a straightforward remake [of the movie], but it’s definitely the Jets and the Sharks. It’s New York City. I think people will find a new way to love the story and to love the songs through our interpretation,” said Kushner on the red carpet. “The way I approached it and the way Steven is approaching it is using the great text—the Leonard Bernstein score, which is arguably the most beautiful score ever written for musical theater, and Arthur Laurents’s original book is a masterpiece. And we started building from that.”"

That "spin" by Tony Kushner is utter bull. This new film is a remake of "West Side Story" the original film and the play. Yes, they are incorporating new elements such as the "Valentina" character, but saying it's turning back to the original 1957 Broadway musical is a misnomer because his adaptation includes the version of "America" that was re-written for the 1961 film version.

If anything this "new" WSS is a combination of elements from both the original 1957 stage version and the 1961 film adaptation.

So yeah....

I think Tony Kushner's screenplay going to be closer to the original Broadway script in terms of song placements with a few sprinkles of the changes Ernest Lehman did with the 1961 script alongside Sondheim's lyric revisions. Anyways, Rachel Zegler posted this never before seen photo of Ariana Debose and David Alvarez dancing to the song "America" on her Twitter.

Musical Master said: "I think Tony Kushner'sscreenplay going to be closer to the original Broadway script in terms of song placements with a few sprinklesof the changes Ernest Lehman did with the1961 script alongsideSondheim's lyricrevisions. Anyways, Rachel Zegler posted thisnever before seen photo of Ariana Debose and David Alvarez dancing to the song "America" on her Twitter.

" I love Ariana's gold dress

Honestly with this much talent and effort being put into this, I can see Steven Spielberg's unfiltered passion for this film even before the first bit of footage is released. Heck, that glance of Justin Peck's choreography for "America" is enough for me being sold on this.

And that's not what I can say about the unfortunate film adaptation of Cats.

CNN posted this article which talks a tiny bit about Curtiss Cook's character in the new WSS. What the article doesn't talk about, is that (according to the IMDB cast page) there's going to be a boxing scene in the new movie. I have no clue how that is going to play out, maybe just a establishing shot in the opening sequence.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/entertainment/steven-spielberg-black-characters-west-side-story-curtiss-cook-intl-scli/index.html

Wow, this is an interesting change from the original musical. Maybe him being a former boxer and the current leader of the Sharks and how the Jets are threatened by this could lead to interesting drama not seen in the original, the new script was written by Tony Kushner after all.

BrodyFosse123 said: "I’m sure this is just an establishing detail. Like Maria and Anita working at the bridal shop and Tony working at Doc’s Drugstore. Nothing more. I don’t expect to see an entire subplot created regarding Bernardo being a boxer. These photos look like local street posters taped to bodega windows, etc. Doubt they’ll even be focused on in the actual film."

jacobsnchz14 said: "Musical Master said: "CNN posted this article which talks a tiny bit about Curtiss Cook's character in the new WSS. What the article doesn't talk about, is that (according to the IMDB cast page) there's going to be a boxing scene in the new movie. I have no clue how that is going to play out, maybe just a establishing shot in the opening sequence.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/entertainment/steven-spielberg-black-characters-west-side-story-curtiss-cook-intl-scli/index.html"

I posted some details in a Facebook group, so I will share if it hasn't been shared here already...

Bernardo and Maria’s last name is Vasquez and Bernardo is/was a boxer. If you take a close look at this prop from the movie, there are some assumed Easter eggs... “Los Hermanos Rivera” is probably a nod to Chita Rivera... the address is “2011 Broadway” which is also when the previous Bway revival closed at the Palace... “El Orgullo de San Juan Hill” means Bernardo is the pride of San Juan, so he was a big deal in Puerto Rico, which probably hits him hard as an “other” in the neighborhood WSS takes place. Found these pictures on eBay.





"

I love how they're expanding on the characters.

Musical Master said: "Speaking of new things, I'm wondering how big of a role the new character Abe, played by Curtiss Cook, will have. Also there's a making of book of this version of West Side Story and I just pre-ordered it, can't wait for it to come out."

I love how many new characters they're introducing. We have Valentina, Fausta played by Andrea Burns, and Abe.

So, are we looking at a potential release date sometime in late November for the soundtrack? Also the fact that the New York Philharmonic recorded the score and songs for the new movie is an awesome way to honor Leonard Bernstein. I can only imagine how glorious it will sound under David Newman's score and song arrangements and Gustavo Dudamel's conducting.