Steven Spielberg, keep ben Platt away from the west side story remake

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Ben-Platt-Shares-WEST-SIDE-STORY-Audition-Tape-Performance-of-Maria-20180315



now hear me out. I think he’s a great performer, has a wonderful pop voice, but man oh man..... this is not what I want west side story to sound like. I’d rather have a non singer in the part than someone singing a pop rendition.

My pick for tony would go to Lucas Hedges. He’s a fantastic actor and has great charisma. He would be superb

Updated On: 3/15/18 at 06:49 PM

And if you want to go straight to Ben's tweet, here:

https://twitter.com/BenSPLATT/status/974368933154344961

LesWickedly said: "He has become Evan Hansen. The mannerisms are all seen in this video. His head is constantly shaking along with his voice. Loved him in Dear Evan Hansen, but it seems like he’s having a very difficult time shaking that off."

Now that's all I can see.

Platt doesn't have the look for Tony, especially in a film version.

Dear Evan Platt:

Never a good idea to close your eyes while singing - it is selfish and indulgent and precludes an audience from engaging with you.

What is with that vibrato? And what is with the schmacting? Let the song do its job - it doesn't need that much sauce on it.

Sincerely,

Me.

Ben did a 2011 Kritzerland monthly show (we've been doing them since 2010, coming up on eight years - just did our 85th show). Ben was just seventeen when he did this show in Feb of 2011, a tribute to the Sherman Brothers. We all adored him and he was simple and effortless and there was no sauce. I'd share the photo but don't see a way to do so without a URL - oh, wait, let me try a photo sharing site. Still can't seem to do it - can anyone help? I have it uploaded to tinypic and have tried every iteration of their codes.

Updated On: 3/15/18 at 08:27 PM

He looks like his mind is anywhere but on what he's singing.

I'm not on board with the grousing here. I know next to nothing about Ben Platt, so I went into this cold.

This is a song I've heard hundreds of times in my life. This was the first time it actually made me cry. It was like hearing it for this first time.

I think it was brilliant.

The version I keep coming back to is this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJE_i0eHbs

I know it's fake, just a very good impersonator, but when that familiar, ravaged voice comes in, I get such chills.

carnzee said: "I love this. He knows how to make a song seem like a monologue. But this kid has more mannerisms than Bette Davis."

This sums up my feelings as well. Love the vocals. Honestly, if he were cast, I wouldn't throw a fit, as long as he got some good direction to get him away from the Evan mannerisms.

There is literally no excuse to not cast Jeremy Jordan in this part. Unbelievable voice, dance skills and looks all in one, and he has a semi-recognizable name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTtEJiTrlTQ

Jamminman said: "There is literally no excuse to not castJeremy Jordan in this part."

That brings up a good point. Is Matthew Morrison available?