West Side Story

[timote316]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 10:29pm

I saw a production of WSS last night, and it got me thinking about the new revival planned. Any news recently on it? (namely, is it going to be a classic revival or a re-envisionment of the show?)

[Plum]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 10:34pm

I think I'd cry a little if they "reimagined" the choreography. I really want to see the original stuff performed by professionals onstage.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 11:06pm

Last I heard, they are (I think) doing the original choreography, but with new stage direction. Jerry Mitchell is director/choroeographer. That's all I know...I think they were also looking at the Gershwin Theatre, but obviously that's going to be occupied for a while...

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 11:11pm

What?!?!?! Re invision West Side Story? They cant! They wouldnt! Would they? No....I wont even bother to think that way. You cant possibly re-invent a classic!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 11:33pm

Mitchell has said that he plans on recreating the original Robbins choreography. The revival was originally scheduled for 2005, but I've heard rumblings that the "powers that be" may want to push it back to 2007 and make it a 50th Anniversary production. It would make sense given Mitchell's ridiculously overcrowded schedule for the next year or so (this season alone he's choreographing the La Cage revival and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). We'll see.

Updated On: 10/23/04 at 11:33 PM

[timote316]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 12:17am

Thanks! Saving it until 2007 is probably the best plan.

[sean martin]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 12:47am

Cool -- I still have time to audition for set designer!

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 1:17am

Wow! I didn't even hear about this. Obviously many of you are much more in the loop than I am. WWS is my absolute favorite. I really hope they don't reinvision it too terribly much. It is nice to bring a slightly fresh approach to a revival but I hate it when they try to modernize revivals too much (like the current Fiddler production). These shows were written during a specific time and they seem to work the best within those boundries. My favorite revivals are the ones that remain true to the period yet still have a freshness (Wonderful Town, Music Man, Showboat....NOT those like Fiddler and Oklahoma). I will anxiously be awaiting further news.

[Jon]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 12:51pm

It's possible to recreate the original Robbins choregraphy and still give the show a "fresh" look as far as sets, costumes, etc. are concerned. There have been such huge advances in stage technology, you might as well try to use them.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 1:17pm

West Side Story should be very cool, but I'm really looking forward to his fancy footwork in La Cage!

[jsdhzm]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:51pm

West Side Story Symphonic Dances will be performed on October 30, 2004 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick NJ 7:00 p.m.
featuring World Renowned Drummer Gregg Field, recently named one of the Worlds Greatest Drummers!

Benefit Concert- check out: www.edisonsymphony.com