WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced!- Page 4

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 12:38am

"I disagree. Other than Alice Ripley, I thought Aaron Tveit was the best part about Next to Normal. You were drawn to his presence onstage, even in scenes where he was just lurking about, without a line of dialogue. In Hairspray, I thought he was great fun, and had excellent chemistry with Shannon Durig. I saw him in Saved, but he had nothing to do there. In Wicked, he acted and sang Fiyero better than anyone, and actually looked like he would be attending Shiz, not teaching there. He is also one of the very few Fiyeros who you don't think would rather run off with Boq than either of the witches."

I agree with everything in this post. I adore Aaron Tveit, I'd be doubled over in excitement if he was cast as Tony. However, I'm excited to see what Matt Cavenaugh does with the role.

[Kev]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 12:39am

I disagree. Other than Alice Ripley, I thought Aaron Tveit was the best part about Next to Normal.

That would've been Brian d'Arcy James for me.

You were drawn to his presence onstage, even in scenes where he was just lurking about, without a line of dialogue.

I remember looking to see who was lurking, and then mine went right back to Ripley and BdJ.

In Hairspray, I thought he was great fun, and had excellent chemistry with Shannon Durig.

It looked like it pained him to smile. And Durig kept every Tracy/Link relationship afloat even if she had a weak link opposite her.

I saw him in Saved, but he had nothing to do there.

Valid. At least he looked fine shirtless.

In Wicked, he acted and sang Fiyero better than anyone.

I didn't think he did anything to enhance the already shoddy role.

So, let's just agree to disagree

Ultimately, I would've liked an unknown for Tony in this WSS revival.

[sriswan2]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 3:04am

finally the announcements are in
i am curious about how they will approach this revival Updated On: 10/30/08 at 03:04 AM

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 3:18am

When has Cavanaugh EVER been "incredible"? He's very pretty, very boring and has minimal range. Will Tony be speaking like Joe Kennedy as well?

[sriswan2]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 3:21am

are they changing the choreography? at all/ or staying traditional to the original? mostly we hear about updating the dialogue and language fusion. Updated On: 10/30/08 at 03:21 AM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 4:02am

I think we can all agree that Matt's "wooden" acting won't be the only wood in the theatre.

Night after night.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 5:57am

No Stew as Officer Krupke?? ha ha ha!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 8:06am

hooray for Cavenaugh, Olivo, Holbrook, and ensemble Santos...love them all, personally and professionally!

[LaMusicaVa]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 10:26am

LaMusicVa, I think the "girls in the gang" are referring to the jet girls and other shark girls. Such as Velma, Minnie, Graziella, margarita, teresita, etc....

I think you're right. I realized that after I posted...I think it was the wording of the press release that confused me, referring to 'the Jets,' and 'the Sharks,' collectively. I guess I'm used to the old cast list that divided everyone into groups.

[winter_sky]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 10:51am

I think it was rumored that Matt Shingledecker was in final callbacks before they decided to skew older.

Also I'm pretty sure Natalie DID audition for Anita.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 2:36pm

Matt Shingledecker wasn't a rumor, that was true. He was in the final three being considered. I still think he would have been excellent, if they'd gone in a younger direction.

I think Cavenaugh is an interesting choice and I look forward to seeing him. However, possibly even more, I look forward to seeing his understudy, Matt Hydzik. Must be something about the name Matt and this role!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 3:00pm

Are you sure he's going to understudy him?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 3:41pm

^^Unless something's changed in the past 24 hours, yes, I'm sure. :)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 4:07pm

Shingledecker also would have been an interesting, eclectic choice.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 4:09pm

I really enjoyed his Melchior. If anything he might've come across as too polished for Tony, but that's not like it's something that can't be worked on, I'd assume.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 6:25pm

Olivo is fantastic in IN THE HEIGHTS, and she was particularly great in HAIR last year.
Matt Cavenaugh is a major bore, but I'll keep an open mind. But I am dissapointed about Curtis Holbrook, who I really disslike

[bethnor]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 6:29pm

out of curiosity, other than cavanaugh, who else do people who are unexcited about the current cast think should be recast? who would you cast in their place?

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 8:58pm

No one's talked about Josefina yet!

Also, I thought TooDarnHot KNEW FOR SURE that Aaron Tveit would be playing Tony. Oh, yeah, and he calls me a crazy liar.

Posted: 10/31/08 at 9:40pm

I wish Omar Lopez-Cepero could play Tony...i just think he's too unknown. He's only done a touring production of evita and was a finalist on NYMF's next broadway sensation.