West Side Story Revival -Same Old Choreography

[theaterguy11]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 5:55am

Am I the only one who is slightly irked that the new revival will use the original Choreography?

It's not that I don't care for the choreography...but it's been around for years and is even preserved on film.

I have no real intrest in shelling out big bucks to see the revival onstage when I could stay home and watch the academy award winning film (with likely a better cast then the one that will be performing in the revival) for free.

Now say they were to bring in FRESH eyes and totally re-imagine the production...I think it would be more interested and all around better. When I say re-imagine...I'm not talking about throwing some Spanish on the stage...I'm talking about a sparkling new production...with new staging.

How long is it going to take until the NEXT revival. Maybe then...we will have some originality to the production.

(again, this post is not to smash the upcoming revival...I just don't see a need for the same old stuff again.)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 6:06am

It would be illegal for a Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY to use a different staging given that Jerome Robbins made sure that every revival of his shows were legally bound to use his choreography.
Plus, he is arguably the best choreographer in the history of Broadway, who would be able to come up with a staging that could even begin to match Robbins'?

Updated On: 8/6/08 at 06:06 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 6:06am

>I have no real intrest in shelling out big bucks to see the revival onstage when I could stay home and watch the academy award winning film (with likely a better cast then the one that will be performing in the revival) for free.<

I don't think attendance at the West Side Story revival is going to be mandatory for all citizens. I think you can safely stay home and not have to go through the duress of having to witness Jerome Robbins' choreography. Enjoy the film (especially the vocals from Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer) and godspeed to you.

Updated On: 8/6/08 at 06:06 AM

[theaterguy11]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 6:09am

You're right...do you people SERIOUSLY want to see that staging again? I mean why not try something NEW...

I think its a shame Robbins legally bound his staging to his shows...If I created such a masterpiece I would want it to grow and change through time. I would think he would want that too!

I never meant to bash the Robbins choreog...I just wish there would be something new and different. Shoot me for being dissapointed its going to be the same old, same old forever

[theaterguy11]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 6:09am

same old, same old, same old FOREVER. "West Same Story"
Updated On: 8/6/08 at 06:09 AM

[dgjbear]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 6:27am

I agree that the staging and choreography should be new. The set and staging of Gypsy is at best tired.

I know the original WSS chorography is stunning, but someone like Matthew Bourne could really bring something new to it. It wont detract from the greatness of the original, but it could compliment it.

Don't be afraid of change!!!!


Updated On: 8/6/08 at 06:27 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 8:05am

For the record, most of what we recognize as the Sharks' choreography in West Side Story was NOT by Jerome Robbins.

The Shark boys' and Shark girls' movement in "Dance at the Gym" and "America" was choreographed by Peter Gennarro, who received Co-Choreographer credit on the original program yet was contractually obligated by Jerome Robbins to stay in the background.

Chita Rivera has gone to great efforts to give credit to Gennaro for what he did.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 8:24am

And here I thought I was the only person still alive who knew that. Robbins, though great, has been made greater by both Gennarro and Robert Wise, who directed 90+% of the film, yet Robbins got co-directing credit.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 8:54am

Am I the only one who's not terribly excited about this revival?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 9:55am

I asked this question in another thread: Are they still planning to add new songs to the score? One thing that SHOULDN'T be tampered with is the music, especially when they're talking about replacing "Officer Krupke" with something called "We're F*cked". Heaven forfend!

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:04am

One thing that SHOULDN'T be tampered with is the music, especially when they're talking about replacing "Officer Krupke" with something called "We're F*cked



That was an April Fools Day Joke. lol

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:05am

WEST SIDE STORY's greatness is largely due to its choreography, be it by Jerome Robbins or Peter Gennarro. If you do not want to see this choreography, stay away from the revival and go to see IN THE HEIGHTS or wish for some completely new urban inspired musical. Don't do major tinkering with an existing masterpiece. Who else besides Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse have had theatre pieces revolve around their brilliant choreography?(JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, DANCING, AND FOSSE!)

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:41am

But I thought the staging of Gypsy in the 2003 revival was different? The strip sequence was, for sure. Anyone rememeber the huge boa? Amazingness.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:49am

I have seen so many high school, college and regional theater versions of this show. ENOUGH.

MANY of the productions I have seen (and one I directed) had ALL SORTS of Spanish and Spanglish in it.

Old stuff, old idea, old show, old choreography.

It takes move than some Spanish dialogue to make "West Side Story" new and relevant on Broadway.

[RetroBoy]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:55am

"(especially the vocals from Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer)..."

smaxie, there really was no need for you to take a jab at miss wood and mr. beymer in your attack. you suck.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 11:11am

For some reason I dont think this will be as big a smash as alot of people originally thought it to be. At least in my head I figured it would get the same treatment south pacific did with lincoln center but this revival just seems kind of bleh.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 11:17am

This thread is annoying.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 12:28pm

I second that emotion, ljay.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 12:35pm

>smaxie, there really was no need for you to take a jab at miss wood and mr. beymer in your attack. you suck.<

Who attacked them?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 12:54pm

Is George Chakiris the only one of the principals who didn't have any dubbing done?

[je veux te voir2]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:10pm

"especially the vocals from Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer"

lolol.

O Marni Nixon...what a shame that your name will only be known to few.
Updated On: 8/8/08 at 09:10 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:23pm

Somehow square dancing does not fit in West Side Story

The original choregraphy was fine as was the recreation for ACL & Chicago. Imagine either one with radically different choreography. Neither one would be the same show.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:34pm

And yet the memebers of this site celebrate bold new versions of the classics such as Doyle's shows, South Pacific and now the new "Hair."

Make up your minds.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:47pm

How is South Pacific a bold new version of the show? It's VERY faithful to the orignal. If anything the RNT production was the bold new interpretation of the show. Updated On: 8/8/08 at 09:47 PM

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 10:03pm

Anyone who thinks there is a talent on the current theatre scene who is the equal to Jerome Robbins as a choreographer and/or director knows nothing about theater, dance, musicals and, most importantly, IDEAS. Go back to watching television and cheering TITLE OF SHOW--it's all you deserve.



Lola Delaney
In A Midwestern Town





Updated On: 8/9/08 at 10:03 PM