WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

#1

WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:48am

Finally.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/WEST_SIDE_STORY_Cast_Announced_Cavenaugh_Olivo_Green_Akram_and_More_20010101

but ICK. The same set designer as Gypsy??? Ugh.

#2

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:50am

ehhhh

#3

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:51am

So if it's the same set designer, we can expect very little sets indeed, can't we.

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#4

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:53am

It's a different set of producers though. I am sure there is a bigger budget, which would allow more sets.

#5

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:04am

I agree, dont expect the same just because it's the same set designer. Not a great example: but I saw Fifty Words last week and was very impressed with the set (especially in an off-Broadway house) and the set designer also did Title of Show (which I wasnt crazy about).

#6

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:08am

If the sets are minimal, I will be f***ing pissed.

#7

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:12am

It all depends on the budget.

It's well-known that the GYPSY revival had a very small budget.

---

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 10/29/08 at 11:12 AM

#8

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:14am

Too bad I'm not rich...I would donate money to the set design of the WSS revival.

#9

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:16am

Ick. Anyone else think Cavenaugh is too old?

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"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#10

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:19am

Absolutely not. Cavenaugh will be fantastic.

#11

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:21am

OMG it's Cody from Step It Up and Dance!

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www.tinydancer5.tumblr.com

#12

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:24am

BWW profiled Cody Green (Riff) a year ago:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=21529

#13

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:35am

Cavenaugh will be fantastic ... but he is too old for the role.
This is not the face of a 20 year old.

Updated On: 10/29/08 at 11:35 AM

#14

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:35am

Cavenaugh is going to be incredible.

---

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

#15

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:38am

Larry Kert was 27 when he created the role. Matt Cavenaugh is 30. He is *not* too old.

#16

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 11:48am

Yes, Matt Cavanaugh is much too old to play Tony, but so are most actors who do. We were all briefly excited when Laurents mentioned age-appropriate casting, but that's out the window now.

I'm more worried about Cavanaugh's acting than his age. He did not impress me in Grey Gardens--although he has a lovely voice, he seems very wooden. I doubt he'll be able to pull of Tony's youthful joy very convincingly.

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I chose, and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken. The choosing was not.

#17

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 12:06pm

jennyish: please give matt a chance. he has known about this role for months now and i'm sure he has been rehearsing/practicing/training during that time. i hope he does well as Tony.

#18

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 12:20pm

I have to say, I was really surprised to see Karen Olivo is cast as Anita - I had absolutely no idea she was a hard-core dancer. Excited to see it, I love her - and soooo thrilled to see Cody as Riff!

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If I show you the darkness I hold inside, will you bring me to light?

Updated On: 10/29/08 at 12:20 PM

#19

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:10pm

I was surprised as well. While she certainly is a good singer and fine performer, she's no Chita Rivera or Debbie Allen when it comes down to a knock-out, fierce dancer. I'm sure she'll be rehearsing as hard on her dances as Cavenaugh is on his scenes. The show speaks for itself though. No harm done.

#20

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:20pm

I'm kind of curious to find out who else was in the running for the various roles.

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

#21

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:22pm

It was stated on here that Bianca Marroquin (Chicago) had a final callback for Anita. Bianca would fit the Chita Rivera mold a lot more than Karen.

#22

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:29pm

Well, they are all pretty hot, arent' they???

#23

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:36pm

You hit the nail on the head with that one Paul. Let's just hope there'a a little brains & a little talent underneath all that beauty.

#24

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:41pm

No one else is Chita Rivera but it's rather short sighted to say that Karen Olivo is "No Chita Rivera" like it's a bad thing. She may turn out to be an amazing dancer.

I've only seen her perform in Rent and Brooklyn and neither were dance heavy shows so I would not be able to determine her dancing ability.

You can't always know or judge a performers abilities based on past performance in other roles. Not every role a performer plays throughout their career will showcase all their abilities.

Just wait and see before you make any judgements or absolute statements. I'm not even a fan but I'm willing to give her the benfit of the doubt. She may redefine this role.

Updated On: 10/29/08 at 01:41 PM

#25

re: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!

Posted: 10/29/08 at 1:50pm

Tom, there is no question that she will redefine the role. My comments were based on the fact that Allen and Rivera were classically trained dancers first. They both excelled at theatre dance and were hired and trained by the masters of Broadway dance. It's a different time now. I saw ITH, and while it wasnt my favorite show I could see the dance ability of Ms. Olivo in both her strengths and limitations from a dance perspective. I'm sure she'll be wonderful in the role though I personally prefer a more experienced and nuanced dancer as Anita.