WSS Revival- Dance At The Gym- Page 2

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 1:49am

""The worst Broadway Anita" may be the first Anita to ever win the Tony."

So? She can sing and act the sh*t out of that role... so if she wins, that's why.

Doesn't make her any better. She can't dance. That is the biggest element of the character (and the majority of the characters!). It truly is a shame.

Karen is talented but not up to Robbins standards. I hope that when (and if) she is replaced, they work on finding a better dancer for the role.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 6:56am

Natalie Cortez!

Anyways...
I agree that if Robbins were alive, he would NEVER cast Karen.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:12am

If anyone saw the BWW Opening Night video of WSS in an interview with Karen she was thanking the new choreography because he made her comfortable doing something she was not comfortable doing. She was not so comfortable succeeding Chita or Debbie but she is doing it and trying her best. So I would give her credit for trying, if she wasn't right for the role she wouldn't have been cast.

[jaso937]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:49am

The fact that people are calling her the worst Anita ever is sickening. The basics of music theatre is you sing because just words isn't enough, you dance because song isn't enough. Its text then song, then dance. I would hate if they cast an Anita based on dancing alone. Debbie and Chita both acted, sang a danced the role beautifully, and very different from each other, just as Karen is doing. You can't blame Karen for not being them. She can only be her and give her interpretation and dance to the best of her ability. Be happy they cast someone with the acting and singing chops rather than someone with only dance ability.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:59am

Be happy they cast someone with the acting and singing chops rather than someone with only dance ability.

That's. Not. Enough. For. This. Role.

This is a role where character is created not only by acting and singing but also by dance.

Why couldn't they have cast someone who could do all three?

They should have.

The reason Arthur didn't was that he wanted to deliver one (of many) final F-you's to Jerry Robbins.

And, yes, CPD, Peter created the Shark portion of Dance at the Gym while Jerry created the Jet portion and the cha-cha. Peter also created much of the Shark portion of the Prologue.

""The worst Broadway Anita" may be the first Anita to ever win the Tony."

I predict that Tony voters will not give a Tony to an Anita who cannot dance the part. I'm seeing Billy Elliot tomorrow night. My guy feeling is that Tony voters will go for Carole Shelley over Karen. And rightfully so.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 8:11am

I posted this in the "America" thread. Read it, jaso. If you like, I can ask my friend to detail the dumbing down of the Dance at the Gym choreography as well:

===

Here, from a dancer friend, the changes made for Karen:

First, Anita and Bernado's variation in the dance at the gym is way simplified: Karen basically shimmies and he dips her. She gives a small kick over his head while he kneels, but this is supposed to be a huge fan kick, followed by a flick into a double partner-turn to the floor with a partnered layout at the end, featuring HER, not Bernardo. They don't do any of that.

Then in America, Anita's first variation was previously solo, but Karen is immediately joined by two girls. This particular variation was always supposed to be Anita's technical specialty, but it is severely toned down for Karen.

Not one single ounce of the ballet/theater synthesis Robbins was so adept at remains.

Some of the more charming, quirky sections that are fast enough to mask her technical shortcomings are partially intact, but only in bits and pieces.

Finally, the most iconic part of the dance--the huge jumps at the end that mirror the huge crescendo in music--are replaced by single turns and are completely anticlimactic.

The audience still goes wild though.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 8:26am

PJ, Haydn Gwynne is the featured actress that steals the show in BILLY ELLIOT, she's simply marvelous in her role as the ballet teacher. I think she is favored to win, and I too doubt that the voters will give Karen the Tony for the same reasons you gave (though I think it's still a possibility). Having said that, while I liked Shelley, I don't think she deserves a nod in what is quite a crowded category.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 8:33am

Well, sorry to threadjack, but I'm very excited about seeing Billy Elliot tomorrow.

Maybe 25 years from now, when Arthur is 117, he'll direct a revival of Billy Elliot and he can have Joey McNeely re-choreograph it for 3 boys who can sing and act but not dance.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 11:14am

Maybe 25 years from now, when Arthur is 117, he'll direct a revival of Billy Elliot and he can have Joey McNeely re-choreograph it for 3 boys who can sing and act but not dance.

PJ, I was reading BWW right before teaching a class and I literally burst out laughing in front of my students.
To go on with the threadjack, you should be excited about BILLY ELLIOT. It's a wonderful show with thrilling choreography and excellent performances. Probably my favorite show this season.
Go on with the Mambo discussion.

[logan0215]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 1:21pm

I still feel as though the singing doesn't even need to be that strong for an Anita! Think about it, she talk-sings most of "America" and "A Boy Like That." I love me some Chita, but she isn't exactly required to belt like a lunatic on the OBCR and has quite a low register. A passable singer with above average dance skills and acting chops is REQUIRED for this role to work. Period.

I was actually bothered by Olivo's singing in the America clip on the Tonight Show. It felt over-sang and under-danced.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 3:58pm

Maybe 25 years from now, when Arthur is 117, he'll direct a revival of Billy Elliot and he can have Joey McNeely re-choreograph it for 3 boys who can sing and act but not dance.

Humorous, yes, but not really a valid comparison. The plot of Billy Elliot requires that the character be a great dancer. There's nothing in West Side Story that says Anita has to be the best dancer onstage. Traditionally, she has been because that was the original director's intention, but whether it's Arthur Laurents now or someone in 50 years, there's nothing except tradition to bind them to that standard.

If someone can find an original script that includes the line "Gee Anita, you're the best dancer and you look so pretty in your Americanized bobbed hair and lavender dress," by all means, have at it. But it's not a part of the show. In 50 years from now, no one who saw the original direction will be around anymore to expect these traditions to be maintained. Maybe then West Side Story can actually be revived, in the truest sense of the word, instead of just copied.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 4:00pm

You. Just. Don't. Get. It.

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 4:05pm

orangeskittles: I have to respectfully disagree.

I believe women like Chita Rivera, Debbie Allen, Rita Moreno, Charlotte D'Amboise were cast in the role of Anita is because it is a dancers role. The actors didn't make it a dancing part, it already was, that is why they were cast.

Anita's dancing is the way that she truly expresses herself and sets herself apart from all the other girls. She is not a typical "girlfriend of the gang member doormat." She is intelligent with a mind of her own and a vision of how she wants her life to be. And her character expresses it through her dancing. Does she express it through acting and singing, absolutely (why she needs to be a triple threat...IMO, more so than Maria.) But it is her dancing that sets her apart.

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 4:08pm

"Be happy they cast someone with the acting and singing chops rather than someone with only dance ability.

That's. Not. Enough. For. This. Role.

This is a role where character is created not only by acting and singing but also by dance."

Yes, exactly:
I kinda feel bad when all of the criticism is directed at Karen Olivo, since the real fault here lies in the directorial/choreographic decision to water down the dance (not just for the role of Anita, but across the board, don't forget).

That's what makes PJ's assertion about AL taking a big knife to JR's genius/legacy so compelling.

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 4:28pm

I don't mind the purple dress. I don't even mind the long flowing tresses. The "look" of the character in this revival is a refreshing change from the bob cut and stereotypical hooped earrings that is usually associated with the character.

But I want my "Anitas" to be EXTRAORDINARY in the dance department. It's an extension of the character. It's the SOUL of the character and there are no IFS no ANDS and no BUTS about it.

Jerry Robbins conceived a vision of what this show was all about. How these characters would embody aspects of musical theater language to enhance and catapult the narrative.

That's what made WEST SIDE STORY so special. Dumbing down Anita's choreography is akin to maiming her.

Arthur Laurents really dropped the ball. BIG. TIME.

Updated On: 3/26/09 at 04:28 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 6:09pm

I believe women like Chita Rivera, Debbie Allen, Rita Moreno, Charlotte D'Amboise were cast in the role of Anita is because it is a dancers role. The actors didn't make it a dancing part, it already was, that is why they were cast.

No, the actors didn't make it a dancing role. The director did. Jerome Robbins's concept was that Anita was the best dancer. His concepts aren't set in stone the way the book, lyrics and music are (it's not like his notes are sent out to all licensed productions). It was Hal Prince's concept that the musicians in Sweeney Todd be kept in the pit, but it doesn't always have to be like that. What's the point in reviving a show if all you can achieve is a pale imitation what came before?

This is why I like Shakespeare. Enter. Exit. Die. That's it. Everything else is up to interpretation. That's why it has survived the test of time. If West Side Story is going to be held to such rigid standards, it will not.

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 6:33pm

I'm not saying every show should be a carbon copy but I do think there are some parts of a show (and in my opinion some shows like WSS) that need to be left intact to be true to the story.

I know the dancing isn't copyrighted but without Jerry's choreography, WSS isn't the same show. I think in this particular show, the dancing is extremely integral to the telling of the story. And the dancing is integral to the telling of Anita's story and her expression of how she feels during everything that is happening.

In my opinion, fluffing off Anita as not having to be a that good of a dancer in WSS, is like saying Velma and Roxie really don't have to be that good in Chicago, because the book, lyrics, and music tell the story. Would Cassie be the same character if the girl hired to play her was ok or the MATM dance was dumbed down for the performer? Some roles are dancers roles. And to make the part work, it needs to be the right person to fit the choreography...not dumbing down the choreography to fit the person. If they can't do the choreography, they shouldn't be cast. Now some times it has to be tweaked. But tweaking and dumbing down are very different.

Having said all that, I give Karen Olivo a lot of credit for taking on this role and doing the best she can. I blame the director, not her. But I think this role requires a spectacular dancer and Karen, by her own admission, isn't it.

[BNN]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 6:58pm

PJ, I understand your sentiments and can only offer that if/when Karen leaves the show, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone who can do all the original choreography, and still give a great performance. I have no doubt in my mind there are tons of girls out there who could give Karen a run for her money, but just haven't had the luck or opportunity. I've found it very true that replacements are actually able to offer up performances just as good as those they replace, they just don't get the reviews or exposure of an opening night cast.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:37pm

I'm sure they'll be able to find someone who can do all the original choreography

I don't think so. I think Arthur prefers it this way, with Jerome Robbins's contribution diminished.

They will find another singer/actress and the dance captain will teach her these dumbed-down versions of the Dance at the Gym and America.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 7:48pm

Just wondering. If this was the first production of WSS, what would you think of Karen?

[raker]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 8:07pm

Wow. I've never seen this. It's great. I saw WSS a few months ago in Washington. The dances seemed to be slowed down, lacking tension and energy. The dancers seemed tentative. It was the missing ingredient in the new revival.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 9:00pm

I give Karen credit for trying, there's nothing wrong with it.

But I know tons of people who say in musical theater, it doesn't matter if you can dance or not. Some shows are dance heavy and some aren't at all. However, THIS ONE IS.

I'm sure there are tons of starving actresses out there who can sing, act, and DANCE the part amazingly. Karen has the acting and singing down, but she needs to wow the audience with her dancing. I mean, at least give the dumbed down dances all you've got. During one part of Letterman when they all have their legs up and are supposed to shake them on the DUH DUH DUH...she didn't even move her legs.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 9:48pm

Since McKneely will be directing the International tour it will be more up to the casting people, the producers with some input from a dance captain to cast replacements.
They will most likely learn the show as it stands now.
Dumbing down and all.
And again this is not the fault of Olivo, who is a fine actress and singer, but miscast in thie role.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 12:34am

""The worst Broadway Anita" may be the first Anita to ever win the Tony."

And guess what...she did.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 12:37am

I knew she would And she absolutely deserved it. Her performance is electrifying. And her acceptance speech was lovely. She is the real deal.