WEST SIDE STORY Reviews- Page 5

[Amaranth9]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:07pm

I find the reviews to be very interesting. I read many comments as "damning with faint praise" as they say, or at least there wasn't much besides the praise for Karen Olivo that would make me want to see this particular production.

It's as if criticism of this production would have been seen as a criticism of the source material. We already know that the music and dancing is incredible... I think there is a conflation between the original and the merits of the revival. As many have said, the show should enjoy a healthy run because it's WSS, but I'm not sure that is enough to get me there as a person who can't easily travel to NYC or be there to try and get lotto tickets.

In this case I trust a lot of the reviews from users on here who were underwhelmed. Not that I wouldn't go, because I'm sure it is great to hear the music live, etc. but it's something to be aware of that more of the show's potential could have been realized.

It seems that perhaps WSS is the "fool-proof" show rather than Guys and Dolls. I just don't really believe that a show can be infallible so I find those kind of "It's WSS!" to not be very compelling.

I do think that the reviews heat up the Tony race for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. But I am not giving away anything yet.

/my two cents. They always end up longer than I intend. *sigh* =)

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:13pm

Since Best Actor in a Musical seems like a pretty weak category this year; who thinks Matt Cavenaugh has a chance of a nomination? Especially after Brantley's review.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:21pm

Those who are eligible (not they they WILL get nominated, just saying they are ELIGIBLE):

Billy Elliots
Will Swenson
Gavin Creel
Brian d'Arcy James
Jeff Bowen
Hunter Bell
James Barbour
Matt Cavenaugh
Graham Phillips
Stephen Bogardus
Jeffry Denman
Matthew Risch
Oliver Platt

If STORY OF MY LIFE is deemed eligible for Tony Nominations, you can add Will Chase and Malcolm Gets to that list.

If Craig Bierko is kept Leading, which is where he is now, above the title, then he will be eligible, too.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:31pm

Matt Cavenaugh has no shot at a nomination after these reviews. And rightfully so.

This show belongs to the women, particularly Olivo.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:34pm

^ Not trying to be nasty. But maybe you need to re-read Brantley's review of Matt. I think he has a shot. He had other positive reviews.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:39pm

I don't think good reviews necessarily translate into Tony Awards.

Brantley and basically every other critic gave Kristin Chenoweth a rave for APPLE TREE, and she was snubbed of a nomination.

Brantley mentioned like one line, and it wasn't particularly positive, about Beth Leavel in DROWSY, and she won.

Brantley hated Sutton in MILLIE, and she won every award possible.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:40pm

I take back what I said.

I just tried to put together a list of the actors who I think will be nominated and the pickin's are EXTREMELY slim.

He might get a nod. He doesn't deserve one but he may get one just by default.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:51pm

BEST.
PICTURE.
EVER.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 4:59pm

I don't think good reviews necessarily translate into Tony Awards.


- I understand that, and I agree. I do not think Matt has a chance of winning, but I think a nomination could happen.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 5:01pm

I love Rachel Dratch "What is up with this?"

And she's been at every opening in the past few weeks. Seems like she's gearing up for her Broadway debut.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 5:12pm

Peter Marks who reviewed the revival in DC says...

- At last, Josefina Scaglione gets the Tony she deserves. And we're not talking about a certain coveted statuette. No, it's Matt Cavenaugh's portrayal of Tony

That progression has been smoothed by Cavenaugh's more assured Tony, an approach evident both in the assertiveness he brings to the dialogue scenes, and the gentler vocal modulations he's added to "Something's Coming" and "Maria."




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/19/AR2009031903724.html

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 5:35pm

orangeskittles--you're only saying that because you don't have understanding of proper review structure.

Obviously. Maybe if I did, I could read between the lines to the cries for help everyone else seems to be interpreting.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 6:27pm

Just curious: anyone know what Karen Olivo is like as a person? I saw her in "In the Heights," and she definitely stood out on Letterman when they did "America" last week. Definitely talented.

But in the photo coverage of opening night posted on this site, where everyone else is basking in the glow of a job well done, bowing, SMILING and getting flowers, she's grimacing or smirking in all the photos. Is she a diva-in-training or something, was she injured, or did she not feel she had as good a night as most critics did...??

Updated On: 3/20/09 at 06:27 PM

[Ole Chum]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 6:34pm

diva-in-training. but very talented.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 7:49pm

When I met her at the In The Heights stage door she was very nice and didn't seem to act like diva

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 8:11pm

I get the impression that she's a very nice person, just uncomfortable in the limelight, when she's not playing a character.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 8:25pm

She was an absolute sweetheart to me when I met her at the ITH stage door.

[raker]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 10:11pm

There were never such devoted sisters. The one on the left looks like Sister Dolores Hart. With sister Michael Riedel? All right then.

BW.com's WSS opening night photos includes a photo of Elaine May "with guest." Her guest looks a lot like Stanley Donen. Ouch.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 10:52pm

Karen's very talented but rude and a bit divaish.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 10:59pm

Karen seems very nice on youtube stage door videos.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/20/09 at 11:29pm

I have met her numerous times at the ITH stage door and the WSS stage door and she is one of the nicest people. She is always willing to take pictures and talk and is very thankful to her fans. I think she just gets pretty tired after the shows.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 12:20am

Just got back from the show, and really enjoyed it, mainly because of the score and the orchestrations. And agree with
what Wicked posted previously. The women rule the show.

Loved Cavenaugh's voice, but his acting just didnt cut if for me, and really didnt care for Cody Green. I couldnt understand half of what he was saying... and he was speaking English !!!

I am biased here, but thought Curtis Holbrook was the best of the males.

Thought Karen was amazing (and agree with Drunk and a few of the others. She was a sweetheart when we met her during "ITH"-)

Show totally sold out tonight, and for both shows tomorrow.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 9:23am

Testing do you know about Standing Room?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 12:53pm

I believe they said $26.50 for Balcony standing, and $36.50 for Mezz standing.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 1:16pm

Well, I wish I'd attended opening night. I passed up on it because I thought that would be too damn cruel. I was planning to walk down the aisle till I saw Arthur Laurents, and greet him with a taste of his own medicine: "Hi, Arthur, it's a piece of ****."