WEST SIDE STORY has the highest advance of any revival in history...

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:33pm

NBC Nightly News has a big feature on the show. Including an 11 minute interview with Arthur Laurents. Also interviews with Lin and Chita. Also a backstage tour with Matt Cavenaugh.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/29762745#29755805

Updated On: 3/18/09 at 08:33 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:37pm

Of course Arthur didn't like the movie. He didn't have anything to do with it.

The movie is fantastic.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:39pm

Sondheim didn't like the movie either, and, hate me if you want, but I don't care for it. I just cannot get through it all...
But, I do love this show, so, congrats on the biggest advance!

[Just_John]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:45pm

I also do not like the movie. I've only seen the first act of a high school production but I enjoyed it very much.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:56pm

The only thing I remember about the movie: in watching it with a high school class, it was the first time I'd ever heard of the idea that... there were people out there who didn't like musicals, because people sang in them.

TEACHER: Through today and tomorrow, we're going to watch WEST SIDE STORY. Now, it is a musical, and I know some of you won't like that-

ME: (thinking) Who? What people? Why? Wait.

TEACHER: -So just know that it's not like THE SOUND OF MUSIC at all.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:58pm

Just finished watching the interview...
Say what you want about the man, but I really appreciated that, and, I do think the show needs to be more focused on the acting, which, he has done (imo) although people do not like the fact that there may not be the strongest dancer as Anita
Also, I think he has it perfect when he describes Josefina: Maria. Like he said, she IS Maria

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 9:03pm

Wow, I love the movie. It's flawed and some of the performances are mediocre at best but I think it's pretty great all around.

I liked Arthur's interview quite a lot...haven't watched Chita's or Lin's yet, but Matt's backstage tour was...boring. He just doesn't exude any personality to me. Ditto for his performance.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 9:49pm

Sondheim never said he hated the movie he just thinks parts of it don't work. Arthur HATES it :P

[jaso937]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 11:50pm

I noticed Matt has an accent. Does he do a well job of hiding it when performing?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 11:51pm

No he doesn't, one of the many things that make his performance dull, unfulfilled, and ultimately inadequate.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 1:17am

Arthur Laurents reminds me of my grandfather. It's a little awkward.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 1:23am

Find it a bit sad that Laurents says that the original production was only about dancing and not acting, when it has alway sbeen pointed out how Robins dancing was about character and not only about dancing, but....

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 1:46am

Also, I think he has it perfect when he describes Josefina: Maria. Like he said, she IS Maria

Until she opens her mouth and starts speaking with the worst Argentinian accent. Ridiculously bad.

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 2:22am

I just figured out who Arthur Laurents always reminded me of...

[IMG]

Updated On: 3/19/09 at 02:22 AM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 7:21am

This comment on the video is SUCH a fail.

I am opposed to anything IN America that is translated to Spanish. If you are going to offer it in multiple languages do them in ALL of the major languages, not just Spanish for the illegals who come here and fail to learn English.

Failing to immerse non-English speaking immigrants (legal or illegal) results in a slower adoption of the language which results in those immigrant families taking up to 3 generations LONGER to become level (economically, socially, politically) with the rest of the society. Why do those self same immigrants want to continue to be the poorest of our citizens instead of doing what it takes to achieve the American dream for themselves and their children!

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:07am

Yes it is. But it raises a valid point. What's next? ROMEO AND JULIET in Italian because you just don't understand the emotion unless it's in the original language of the place in which it's set?

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:09am

I haven't been reading all the posts on this production of WSS but I did see the show in DC and I find it rather incredible that they say this production concentrates on acting instead of dancing. The best part of the show I saw in DC was the dancing and the weakest part was the acting. In fact the only outstanding acting I saw came from the women - particularly Karen. All the men were weak.

Updated On: 3/19/09 at 08:09 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:21am

I know it was just the translator's comment and that the new production does set out to even out the roles of the Sharks and the Jets (it can be argued originally it's much more sympathetic to the Jets--) but the comment that always in the past the Sharks had been this sort of "menace in the background" baffles me. Even seeing the movie as a 7 year old I never felt they were the villains--and I don't think this is the first time that racism and segergationa nd violence are the villains--that's always been obvious IMHO
Updated On: 3/19/09 at 08:21 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 10:39am

Eric, I actually think it's the opposite in this case. I didn't care for Bernardo at all because I felt too disconnected to him. I definitely connected to George Chakiris in the movie. And if you're a little more unsympathetic to one vs. the other, to me it was always the Jets because in the differences in the way the gangs treat women. For example, Riff & Bernardo leading their ladies onto the floor for the Promenade. Riff snaps and Graziella comes, while Bernardo extends his hand and escorts Anita around. And of course the Jets' "rape" of Anita.

I just kept yelling at the interview. Look, I know I wasn't there or anything, but Cool never got huge applause?? If that is true, it's probably just the tone of the song, but I know it was absolutely amazing in the movie, and in a very-hard-to-see-because-Robbins-hated-his-choreography-on-TV performance of "Cool" on Ed Sullivan by the original cast. So amazing, just mind-boggling. I'm sure it was always one of the most successful numbers and I honestly can't imagine Arthur improved it.

And re: the movie, I know the first time Bernstein heard the new orchestrations, he hated it and stomped out of a party for him. Supposedly he apologized and came around, I don't know.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 11:02am

To me, the film always portrayed the Jets as racist bullies, but maybe that's because I'm from a different generation. Only in Gee Officer Krupke did I have the slightest iota of sympathy for the characters. It's not until the end that the Jets seem to acknowledge any responsibility for their actions, which is what makes the film so poignant.