WEST SIDE STORY DC SO MAD!- Page 2

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 5:28pm

I agree. PalJoey put it perfectly. I think it's pretty absurd when someone doesn't believe Anita is primarily a dance role, or plays down the importance of dance to the role of Anita.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 5:31pm

Or thinks that uh-MAZ-ing singing is what makes the role.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 6:32pm

Saw it this afternoon. I'm on my Blackberry having a cocktail, so I can't write too much.

Overall, I liked it. I prefer it 1000x more than the Debbie Allen revival (or whatever people call it.)

I do think that the criticism that has been posted thus far is entirely defensible. I feel like the show needs a lot of work, but the talent on stage is completely capable...it'll depend on the direction.

The pace is VERY slow. I mean "escargot slow" in the first act. But I am so in love with the music that I just waited patiently between songs. They need to quicken the action, put the cut dream ballet sequence back in, "adjust" the singing, fix the transitions, figure out which century they want to be in and STICK to it, recast Riff, and GET RID OF THE SPANISH "GIMMICK." You actually DISENGAGE from the story to read the translations--BIG mistake.

Gotta run, so very quickly...Karen was EXCELLENT today. I couldn't keep my eyes OFF her during "America." Matt has "it" bit Mr. Laurents isn't bringing "it" out properly. (Love Matt.) George Akram...WONDERFUL. What a gorgeous, charming, seething Bernardo he is! Josephina is remarkable. This is the FIRST time I have ever seen "I Feel Pretty" and not rolled my eyes (excluding the Little Richard version). Oh, and Curtis Holbrook is terrific. A stand-out, for sure.

The second act is strong. I thought the "Pieta" ending was beautiful.

What this production needs is Bartlett Sher! Then it will be hailed as a trimuph on Broadway.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 6:34pm

See? They haven't even been in previews for a week and the reviews so far have been all over the place. There was no need to freak out about Ms Olivo after one review.


Besides she's fierce and this stuff about "dance" roles is BS.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 6:42pm

Plenty of others have said Karen is great in the role, but her dancing isn't up to par. Not just one person.

And I'm sorry but PalJoey's assessment on dance roles is absolutely spot on.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 6:46pm

Well I don't believe in it.

Kind of like Kwanzaa.


PS Is that Anne Hathaway in your pic

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 6:58pm

Liza

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 7:51pm

Anne Hathaway looks a lot like Liza, should play her in a movie one day...

On topic: Karen Olivo is the kind of performer that you just have to look at when she is on stage, she has a commanding presence and thrilling vocals, she has "it." I don't think it's a slap to Rivera to cast Anita in the role, it's not like Chita Rivera wrote it. I bet Olivo is phenomenal, can't wait to hear her in "A Boy Like That." Her dancing in IN THE HEIGHTS was top notch, and as I've said dozen of times before, she seemed to be channeling Rita Moreno in the WEST SIDE STORY movie. I'm really excited about seeing her.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 8:09pm

"PS Is that Anne Hathaway in your pic"

OT, but every time I see Anne Hathaway I think of Liza when she was younger and now. They have very similar eyes and great features.

There are times in this video they I could have sworn I saw Anne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ip6sH7oec

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 8:28pm

I love young Liza. So damn pretty.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 8:28pm

Anne should do a shot by shot remake of "Cabaret."

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 9:00pm

AAAAAAAAHHHHHhhhhhh, I love that dream ballet. When it's done right, it's beautiful. Everyone walking forward in white. One of the most beautiful images ever. Please put that back in!!!

Sorry, that just kinda came out...

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:04pm

I'm sorry...when I saw In The Heights I was in the front row and paid close attention to Karen during the club scene. She is definitely a strong mover...not a dancer. Her feet were all over the place. From far off she would probably look strong, but up close it wasn't what I was expecting.

I can only imagine what she looks like in West Side Story. I hope she blows me away. But casting a "mover" rather than a "dancer" in the role of Anita is like casting Alan Cumming in Piazza. Sure, he can act and his voice works well for some roles...but he doesn't have the chops for Piazza, so it wouldn't be as moving, beautiful, or take you to soaring heights.

West Side Story is my all time favorite musical and I can't wait to see this next Tuesday in DC. But, I have to agree...Anita needs to be a strong dancer. She just needs to be. Anita lets go of her frustration through dance in "America." How am I suppose to believe her if she's not doing the choreography justice. The sharks and the jets have their little dance off in "Dance at the Gym" between Bernardo/Anita and Riff/Velma...how is that scene going to keep its magic and level of energy if the Anita isn't a strong dancer? Sure...Karen is captivating on stage, but is that enough for the role?

It'll be a shame if this revival flops.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:05pm

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1664379

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:18pm

It seems that the only person everyone agrees on is Curtis Holbrook -- nothing but very positive comments. No matter what else transpires, I'll see this just to see him, good reviews for the show or not. I would hope that someone out there with some clout would have noticed by now that he can steal a show from anyone. And give him a major role in a new musical that showcases his unique genius.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:23pm

Ed_Mottershead, I think many people have agreed that Josefina Scaglione is very good, with the exception of one or two reviews but they both still had something positive to say. Also for the MOST part for people who have seen the show say Karen is amazing for the most part.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:24pm

I like that suggestion from someone earlier that they make Curtis "Riff."

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:25pm

Ooops.

Updated On: 12/20/08 at 10:25 PM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

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

"I like that suggestion from someone earlier that they make Curtis "Riff."

Well, is Cody Green sort of a "big" name? I mean he isn't really an unkown in this entertainment world, correct? Wasn't he on some TV show? But if he were to be dropped then they would sort of loose a "name." But I don't really know what I am talking about. I would love the see Curtis in a big(ger) role.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:32pm

I don't know who is or if he can act, but I saw a picture of him and thought he was foxy.

It's a shame this production - with all its hype before it began - doesn't seem like it's going to be the great reinvention we thought it would be and that not of the performers seem poised to be the ones who reinvent these roles.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:35pm

Hi, Chita. My point was that Curtis is the only one who seems to have pleased everybody. As you pointed out, even those who
almost-unamimously have been praised have had some caveats in some quarters -- maybe not a large quarter, but still there. I'm in no position to judge, since I haven't seen it and wont until it gets to NYC and I hope that all the wrinkles have been ironed out. But Curtis seems to have gone over so well that I can't wait to see him!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:37pm

ay! Updated On: 12/20/08 at 10:37 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:46pm

Neither pre-Broadway tryouts nor OUR early commentary on the production (!) should not be considered predictions of disaster, but, rather, the opportunity to make the show work.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 10:52pm

Regarding the OP's post, I wonder if Josefina Scaglione is actually a trained opera singer. People have a tendency to exaggerate classical training (like with Emmy Rossum). From what I've heard, Josefina has a nice voice but she didn't sound that operatic to me.

[willrogers2008]

Posted: 12/20/08 at 11:12pm

Could you tell me from what show is your beautiful message board photo? (Sorry WEST SIDE thread)Thank you