West Side Story Revival will cut I Feel Pretty and Somewhere Ballet- Page 4

[A Director]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 12:28am

Ivo's production will be all about Ivo!

In 2018, the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis did WWS that was not a carbon copy of the 1957 production. Read this story about the production.

https://www.americantheatre.org/2018/06/20/a-new-west-side-story-steps-beyond-jerome-robbins/

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 12:34am

Just to clarify, it sounds like they are cutting the Somewhere *ballet*, not the song itself.

As I believe someone else in the thread said, directors make cuts to Shakespeare’s work all the time and nobody bats an eye. Cutting the entire book is one thing, but streamlining the show by trimming bits of the book would probably not even be noticeable to the average theatregoer.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:30am

Almira said: "I'm not precious about West Side Story at all. I find the MUSIC MAN, with it's brilliant and original opening number, and lead characters that are more than "boy" and "girl" a much more interesting piece. Add to that the story is completely original. A singular achievement.



But now..,forme this revival is suddenly interesting. I can live without I FEEL PRETTY and the SOMEWHERE Ballet anyway. The film AMERICA is dramatically superior. Van Hove may at last make a post-original production that is relevant."

I agree! But I feel like the entire show is just so bland and boring. The book is boring. The score is great, sure, but I don't a feel a thing about anyone. And I saw the last revival. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:46am

I'm amused by the people who think they know the quality of a Sondheim song and whether it should be retained better than Sondheim. He's all for cutting it. So one ballet will also be cut (not the song)? This is something to freak out about?

It's really still about one thing, as far as I can tell: the casting of Amar. Considering the kudos for "making it relevant to a new generation" that the recent Oklahoma! revival got (which radically recreated its dream ballet to such an extent that one can say the "Laurey Makes Up her Mind" ballet was cut), and My Fair Lady got for literally changing the ending to the show, there's just no way this production would have received so much nay-saying--sight unseen--as it currently has. On this board, anyway. 

[AADA81]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:36am

That's all I need to hear.  I'll skip this revival.

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 9:16am

joevitus said: "I'm amused by the people who think they know the quality of a Sondheim song and whether it should be retainedbetter than Sondheim. He's all for cutting it. So one ballet will also be cut (not the song)? This is something to freak out about?

It's really still about one thing, as far as I can tell: the casting of Amar. Considering thekudosfor "making it relevant to a new generation" that the recent Oklahoma! revival got (which radically recreated its dream ballet to such an extent that one can say the "LaureyMakes Up her Mind" ballet was cut), and My Fair Lady got for literally changing the ending to the show, there's just no way this production would have received somuch nay-saying--sight unseen--as it currently has. On this board, anyway."

But the thing with the Oklahoma and My Fair Lady revivals is that they were able to make those shows "relevant" without changing a word of the script.  They didn't cut songs, they didn't change lines, and they got a good reception.  To cut two of the most iconic songs (to the point where they were, at least in my case, the two songs from the show I'd heard in public that drew me to listen to the show in the first place) is a very clear case of changing the script.  There are ways that Ivo van Hove could still give the show that "race against time" feel without cutting those two songs.  Obviously, we all have to wait to see the show before we make any final judgments, but the first impressions aren't great, to say the least.  If the show ends up being as disastrous as many on this board have predicted, it'll really be a shame - besides the casting of Amar and the gender disparities, this did have a lot of potential.

[BJR]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 9:18am

I admit I was surprised a song was actually cut, though any song would've caused on uproar, and we all know that's Sondheim's least favorite in the score. I wonder if that survives the 2 months of previews.

And that said, I'm very intrigued by Ivo making it a one act to increase the narrative pressure. I, for one, am more excited to see it.

West Side isn't going anywhere. Why not try a radial take after 60 years? Musical Theatre has too many damn purists. At times, it sounds like the opera world.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 9:52am

"This musical has been presented in essentially carbon-copy form for the last 60 years. Most everyone has had an opportunity to see a traditional production of this by now (and, if not, they have the original film and the new Spielberg film, which probably won't deviate from the original as much as this revival despite revisions). The last revival was recent enough that another revival would not really be warranted unless it were doing something REALLY different. And it is. So I'm okay with it."

Excellent post and I agree. I saw the last revival and enjoyed it, I will pass on this version.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 11:02am

“Somewhere” is the big assumption right now. If he was keeping at least the song, wouldn’t that have been clarified? Also, if his theme is racing against time, would he really waste 3-4 minutes on the song?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 11:15am

The movie solved this problem Ivo seems to think exists by cutting the ballet and moving "I Feel Pretty" earlier in the piece. You're not special, van Hove.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 12:48pm

I feel Pretty and the Somewhere ballet both stop the show dead in it's tracks. They definitely won't be missed. They add nothing to the show.

And some of you are reaching opera queen levels of hysteria right now. This attitude that so many of you are portraying here, is what will kill Broadway. Time passes, things change. It's how it is. How many museum pieces do we need to see to please those of you stuck in the past?

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 12:55pm

GeorgeandDot said: "I feel Pretty and the Somewhere ballet both stop the show dead in it's tracks. They definitely won't be missed. They add nothing to the show.

And some of you are reaching opera queen levels of hysteria right now. This attitude that so many of you are portraying here, is what will kill Broadway. Time passes, things change. It's how it is. How many museum pieces do we need to see to please those of you stuck in the past?"

 

 BALDERDASH

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:00pm

GeorgeandDot said: "I feel Pretty and the Somewhere ballet both stop the show dead in it's tracks. They definitely won't be missed. They add nothing to the show.

And some of you are reaching opera queen levels of hysteria right now. This attitude that so many of you are portraying here, is what will kill Broadway. Time passes, things change. It's how it is. How many museum pieces do we need to see to please those of you stuck in the past?"

I don’t see anyone asking for a museum piece. I see fans who rather have a daring interpretation without making major cuts, like the Oklahoma revival. 
The 2009 WSS revival was SLAMMED on here for the Spanish, cutting the Nightmare, and simplifying some of Anita’s choreography. Fans have every right to question what we’re hearing about this new revival. 

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:14pm

I mean. Isaac was mostly getting flask from fans, not for the changes, but for standing by while a predator gets to be in the show and not saying anything.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:46pm

No one involved in the production has said anything. It will never be mentioned, he's never publicly apologized, and nothing has been acknowledged.  It's not Isaac's burden, but he is definitely part of the problem. I guess they really thought that people would forget and suddenly be okay with it. That has not been the case. 

And for the people who think the only people who have an issue with his casting are here on these message boards? Clearly you are not on the internet very much. 

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:52pm

LuPita2 said: "No one involved in the production has said anything. It will never be mentioned, he's never publicly apologized, and nothing has been acknowledged. It's not Isaac's burden, but he is definitely part of the problem. I guess they really thought that people would forget and suddenly be okay with it. That has not been the case.

And for the peoplewho think the only people who have an issue with his casting are here on these message boards?Clearly you are not on the internet very much."

And I get why he probably hasn’t. Doesn’t want to burn bridges with producers... doesn’t want to potentially ruin his big break. Yadda yadda. 
 

I just sort of hoped the broadway community, which makes a lot of noise about taking action... would hold people accountable and stand up for what is right... 

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 1:58pm

Some have been talking about it, but they also don't want to burn bridges or piss off anyone they might want to work with. But, silence doesn't work with this issue. Not now, not ever. 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:04pm

Even Rachel Zegler (movie Maria) has spoken out against Amar's casting:

https://twitter.com/rachelzegler/status/1193227716050505729

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:26pm

People here keep talking about "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere" as if Sondheim is the only creator of those works. Who cares if he doesn't like the lyrics to those songs? I don't like those lyrics either but Bernstein's music alone is reason to include them in the performed score, period. Cut the ballet and you cut 6 minutes of glorious music that doesn't exist anywhere else in the score. I don't know why there isn't a rep for Bernstein defending the integrity of his masterwork, lyrics be damned.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:34pm

I think some are overestimating Sondheim’s influence on this revival.
I’m guessing he’s MUCH more involved with the Company revival, a production in which he revised the text and lyrics himself, and is extremely satisfied with Elliot’s concept and overall direction.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:52pm

ljay889 said: "I think some are overestimating Sondheim’s influence on this revival.."

to be clear, when I mentioned this quite a ways up this thread I was referring to influence on the representatives of the dead people, not Ivo.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:53pm

Which begs the question why Sondheim hasn't changed the PRETTY lyrics since he complains about them every chance he gets.

It sounds like the estates of the deceased creators would rather have any Broadway production over one that reflects the original intent.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 2:57pm

HogansHero said: "ljay889 said: "I think some are overestimating Sondheim’s influence on this revival.."

to be clear, when I mentioned this quite a ways up this thread I was referring to influence on the representatives of the dead people, not Ivo."

I wasn’t referring to you. It was a general statement as I’ve seen comments on multiple messages boards stating that most of these changes must be Influenced by Sondheim. 

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 4:53pm

Time to give Ivo the heave-ho! This is just becoming ludicrous.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 5:00pm

 

WHAT IS THIS CRAP ABOUT "RACING AGAINST TIME"?

RACING AGAINST TIME IS NOT THE GODDAMN MOTHERFUGGING POINT.

RACISM IS THE POINT. FORGIVENESS AND REDEMPTION ARE THE POINTS.

"RACING AGAINST TIME" IS JUST AN IDIOTIC THING TO SAY.

Arthur used to rail against "directors with notions." This is a director with maybe the stupidest notion ever.

 

Updated On: 11/10/19 at 05:00 PM