Wasn't there supposed to be a West Side Story Revival soon?

[BroadwayPer4mer03]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:56pm

Hey, I was just wondering about whether or not West Side Story was in the talks of doing a revival in the next year or two. A director of mine spoke to his friend who apparently found out that an upcoming revival of West Side Story was in the works. I don't know how he got the info. Also I could have sworn I read a post about it on here a very long time ago when The Wiz revival was in the talks. Please could someone help me out here?! thanks. Updated On: 4/3/05 at 10:56 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:15pm

I remember when David Miller was still in La Bohème on Broadway (or possibly San Francisco), he was considered for Tony. Of course, now he's off singing crap popera thanks to Simon Cowell, so there goes that one...
Il Divo!

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:27pm

I wondered what happened to David Miller. He was great in La Boheme.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:33pm

He was fantastic in La Bohème.

Il Divo's going to be on Oprah tomorrow, if that interests you.

Their CD is, well...something else...

[bially082]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:51am

So is there going to be a revival or not? I was hoping for one later this season. Wasn't it supposed to be a 50th aniversary thing?

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:53am

i don't think it's necessary at this point in time.

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:20am

you don't think it's necessary at "this point in time"?!!!!

yeah sure, it's not necessary "at this point in time"...it's been over 20 years since this show has been revived on Broadway. i would say it's way OVERDUE for a MAJOR broadway revival if only to show the newer generation what a great musical looks like on a Broadway stage as opposed to half of the schlock being passed off nowadays.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:36am

I agree.

*taking a moment so I can remember what agreeing with Marquise for the first time ever feels like*

It's WAY over-due.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:56am

yes, they were planning a West Side Story revival, but they ended up post-poning it until 2007 to make it a 50th anniversary extravaganza! yes, i've only heard this information, and no, it's not 100% reliable...but it's what i've heard and read.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 3:31am

well blah. there are so many better revivals that could take place. but maybe sara ramirez will take on anita. maybe then it'll be palatable. with michael arden as tony...

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 3:58am

I would say Sarah Ramirez is a bit too old for Maria, and Michael Arden, while vocally perfect for Tony, I doubt he can dance well enough. Why would you need certain performers to make WSS "palatable?" It's one of the greatest shows EVER written...what are some of the "so many better revivals" that you seem to prefer?

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:03am

Sidenote: I would love to see Cheyenne Jackson as Tony. Has anyone else heard the clips of him singing WSS from his website? Its great.

Why the hell am up up this late...damn caffine.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:08am

Not Cheyenne. Why don't they cast actors who actually look like the teenagers they're playing? I heard that La Guardia High School (?) in New York put on an absolutely stunning production a few months ago, made all the more powerful because the performers were the right age.

I believe Jerry Mitchell is slated to direct the planned 2007 revival.

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:11am

Well yes. That was more of a complaint that I didn't see him when he was in it. Then again I had no clue who he was at that point.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:17am

Jerry Mitchell is slated to re-create Jerome Robbins' choreography, I think...

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:37am

Yes -- I believe it's written into the rights of all Robbins' musicals that all productions must reproduce his choreography (that's why the current revival of FIDDLER, while touting to be a reconceived version, still retains Robbins' dancing).

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:42am

Tony doesn't dance... Aside from a few step-touches and finger snaps at the dance at the gym.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 4:43am

Yes, and the latest GYPSY revival. I don't think Mitchell is slated to direct the entire production, though, but I could be wrong.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:31am

Who knows? They've been saying for years that it'll happen but I really doubt it.

[Plum]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 8:58am

I don't get why not. You'd think West Side Story would have an automatic advantage in the "what will we revive next" sweepstakes because of how well-known its movie version is.

Maybe we should go to Roundabout and try to push it as a Sondheim revival.

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 10:08am

I heart the idea of either Cheyenne of Michael - and Elena Shaddow must play Maria. I will not be swayed on this :)

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 10:11am

Yup, last year my high school did West Side Story and we had to wait a little while to make sure we could obtain the rights because we heard there might have been a revival too(we're blocked from doing any shows currently on Broadway). Then we heard the 2007 thing too, but also because they definitely wanted to have performers the appropriate age and didn't think that was possible at this point, so they were going to wait a couple of years. Here's hoping!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:18pm

BlueWizard, the L.A. County High School of the Arts (LACHSA) which is "our" FAME high school (and on the campus of Cal State University Los Angeles, where I teach) is doing West Side Story at the gorgeous classic Alex Theater in Glendale on April 15th and 16th. I can't wait! These kids are amazing! And you're right, this is a show that is perfect for high school kids to do. I've seen a zillion musicals, and I've never seen WSS on stage. This is something to look forward to!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:37pm

I've seen Cheyenne play Tony.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:55pm

The revival is happening in 2007, will duplicate the Robbins staging, and will cast YOUNG. Don't expect Cheyenne, Sara Ramirez, etc.