WEST SIDE STORY Revival will have an Orchestra of 30 players...- Page 2

[Princeton2]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:27pm

So which theatre will they be aiming for do you think...the Palace?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:28pm

It belongs in the Palace. But could BLONDE really close by the Winter?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:30pm

"unprecedented element of selectively weaving Spanish throughout both the book and songs."

Didn't In The Heights do that already?"

Evita did that way back in freaking 1979.

Santa, Santa Evita
Madre de todos los ninos
etc.

[Princeton2]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:31pm

As much as I hate Blonde, its numbers are healthy, im also assuming Nice Work If You Can Get It will want a pretty big theatre too...im trying to think of ones that will be free

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:33pm

I'm just glad it's not the Marquis...

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:36pm

EEEE! I'm getting more excited by the minute for this show.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:45pm

"unprecedented element of selectively weaving Spanish throughout both the book and songs."

I think they mean the liberties they will have to take with this show. There are quite a few examples of plays/musicals that incorporate a "flavor" of language. I don't think it's necessary to even bother cramming Spanglish into this show to make it "better."

The thing I've always felt was missing was any authenticity. The cringe-worthy stereotypes of Puerto Ricans in the show are what distract me most from the racial story we're supposed to be believing. I would hope this creative team will work to bring a realistic 1950s on the UWS.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:47pm

Did you need an interpreter for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA?

Well, they did have that one lady translate at the beginning of Act Two. And I know that the retarded italian boy screeched "Clara" a lot.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:49pm

Krysta Rodriguez is perfect for Maria. She is young~about the right age for Maria, pretty and very talented! Is she Puerto Rican too?

J*

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:54pm

I saw a production of WEST SIDE STORY at the Colonial Theater in Boston in late 90's. I dont think its a Regional bec. it played at the Colonial. Does anyone know if they tour WSS in the late 90s? I even have the poster... I will post it later...

J*

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:56pm

Krysta Rodriguez is perfect for Maria.

- Can she sing soprano? Maria's singing part is no walk in the part. That is high sh*t!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:59pm

Thank goodness it's getting an overhaul. I can't stand museum theatre.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 2:59pm

No idea! I never heard her sing. She is always in an ensemble (SA & ITH)

J*

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:01pm

I'm betting that Maria will be played by an unknown because she has to be young, Latina, and have serious soprano chops.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:01pm

West Side Story was announced for a Nederlander-owned theatre. When a show announces it is going to "a Nederlander theatre to be announced," it means there is currently a tenant in that theatre that hasn't announced a closing.

Looking at the tenants in Nederlander houses, Wicked, The Lion King, In the Heights, The Little Mermaid and Grease all seem reasonably sure bets of running in 2009, so I think those theatres are off the market, and 9 to 5 now has the Marquis. They would have been able to announce the Nederlander Theatre if that's where they were going (nor do I think Arthur Laurents would want the show to play there).

That leaves the Neil Simon or the Palace. Hairspray and Legally Blonde have their weekly ups and downs depending upon tourist trade - but Hairspray has recouped and can withstand a few losing weeks in the winter, while Legally Blonde has not and is in a more vulnerable position. Plus, the Neil Simon has 1,400 seats while the Palace has 1,700 and given the scale of West Side with a cast of 37 (not including understudies) and an orchestra of 30... its producers may be seeking more seats to cover the show's likely enormous weekly running cost.

So, for all of those reasons, I suspect West Side Story will be ensconced at the Palace next spring.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:04pm

So would that mean the producers of LEGALLY BLONDE already know they will be closing the show by the winter?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:08pm

Too bad the Mark Hellinger isn't (and won't ever be) available.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:20pm

That was the biggest mistake ever! TO SELL the Mark Hellinger Theater. If I happened to be the MOST powerful and richest person in US (like Oprah) I will buy back Mark Hellinger and give it back to Broadway, either by force...if necessary!

The Mark Hellinger Theater (now)




Updated On: 7/16/08 at 03:20 PM

[jagfkb]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:23pm

Ok, the theater which they're going to pick couldn't be anymore obvious now. Out of all of their theaters, the only one with an announced exiting show is the Nederlander. Considerring the nearly six months inbetween RENT's closing, and West Side Story's Opening, there's plenty of time to renovate the theater in time for West Side Story. Otherwise, perhaps the Niel simon, but I don't see Hairspray closing for a long time.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:25pm

Yes, a return of the Hellinger, or the construction of one or two new musical theatres would really alleviate the housing crunch going on. I guess the city hasn't made adding a theatre an attractive enough incentive for all of the new construction going up along 8th Avenue these days. Particularly that lot between 45th and 46th Streets on the east side of 8th, which I gather will be the site of another hotel...but with no theatre.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:28pm

jaystarr, I was thinking the exact same thing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:29pm

Isn't The Nederlander too small for WSS?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:29pm

>Ok, the theater which they're going to pick couldn't be anymore obvious now. Out of all of their theaters, the only one with an announced exiting show is the Nederlander. Considerring the nearly six months inbetween RENT's closing, and West Side Story's Opening, there's plenty of time to renovate the theater in time for West Side Story.<

As I said above, if they were going there, they would have announced it. But at 1,200 seats, it's probably too small to make economic sense for West Side Story. Plus, Laurents, who has been around the theatre for decades, knows that the Nederlander is considered a second-class theatre. Even if a renovation manages to turn the place into the Taj Mahal, I can't imagine he would want West Side Story to play there.

[anne3]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:30pm

I've been hearing for a few weeks that West Side Story will play at the Nederlander.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:34pm

>I've been hearing for a few weeks that West Side Story will play at the Nederlander.<

Probably from people making it up.