West Side Story revival casting?- Page 3

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 3:56pm

"However, I think in doing that, they ofteend up with "jets" who are too soft and pretty. They are in a gang in NYC...not a playground in the midwest."

Well, what about Baby John? Isn't there a reason he's called "Baby John?"

I'm not sure I entirely agree. There's a limit, sure, on how...puny they should look, but that scene that takes place before Krupke, with A-Rab and Baby John...they're scared...the Jets have gotten in way too over their heads, I don't see them as this ultimate, tough NYC gang...unless you could somehow accomplish both, make them look all tough and **** in the beginning, and then make them look completely softened after the Rumble...which I guess is how it should be. But, I really can't envision them looking like a typical NYC gang--could you imagine them singing Krupke?

And while I agree that it's unlikely to find true triple threat teens, I do hope there's a limit--maybe performers in their high 20's, not high 30's.

And if Maria isn't going to be ethnically appropriate, please have the actress not use a stupid accent like Natalie Wood did in the movie.

But, I've always felt the two most important characters, and the one who's casting we should be most concerned about is Riff and Anita. I'll be very interested to see who's casted as Riff...and Bernardo, for that matter. Bernardo doesn't really sing, he just has to be a great actor and fantastic dancer. So that will be interesting.

[FosseForever3]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 4:09pm

Mia Michaels is choreographing. That's why it's going to be so contemporary.

[winter_sky]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 5:01pm

Definitely Krysta Rodriguez as Maria. If they're not casting age appropriate Ryan Duncan could be very good as Bernardo.

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 9:03pm

You write me off now... but you'll see.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 9:07pm

Is Krysta Rodriguez a good, classical soprano?

[MerMaggieGalinda]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 9:28pm

That's why I think Krysta is more suited for Anita-she can dance, and I'm not sure if she's vocally suited for Maria.

[Fortuna]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 1:24am

I've seen many productions of WSS. My favorite was Trinity Repertory Company's version a few years ago. I would LOVE to see that version done again. Did anyone else see it? It was so innovative and the cast was amazing. The Tony and Maria were a perfect blend. I would want to see Nina Negri as Maria on Broadway. Her voice seriously made me melt and her acting was so touching. Truly a star in the making.

[Cass]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 10:14am

It would be a true shame if they cast the ethnic characters with non-ethnic people. Can I get an AMEN!?!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 6:05pm

I think they could get away with casting all unknowns and I think that would be awesome...
I like Nick Spangler as Tony, though. Saw him in Broadway in Bryant Park today, and he was great.
I'm also surprised no one has mentioned John Groff. I think he'd kick ass....

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 6:26pm

someone did say johnathan groff.. he would be amazing. perfect fit i think. all he has to do is dye his hair a bit darker and use some bronzer, if anything. [that is if we're going with the original ethnicities]

regardless, i am so excited to this show performed, it is my all time favorite.

[BringBackBirdie]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 6:47pm

Priscilla Lopez and Wayne Cilento- together again

[winter_sky]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 7:01pm

Why would Groff have to get some bronzer and dye his hair if they're doing "original ethnicities"? I assume you're talking about Tony and if so, he's probably fine currently. Tony is Polish.

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 8:20pm

I think the only role that truly must look the proper age in West Side Story is Maria. She is all about innocence. However, Anita can look 20s, Tony can be early 20s, Riff as well. Maria just needs to exude that doe-eyed kind of appeal.

[Cass]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 8:45pm

Yes, Maria must have innocence with EXTREME passion. This is difficult to find.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 8:52pm

you can cast fresh-faced white kids and have them be convincing as gang members...it just takes the right touch. and a director who knows what he's doing with actors.

i refer you to the film version of "the outsiders". while it certainly let me down after LOVING the book, even baby-faced ralph macchio was beautifully convincing.

the trick is to not go too broadway with the casting...the fakey music theater stuff is way more problematic than age or ethnicity, imho.

does eden espinosa dance?

Posted: 8/21/07 at 11:31pm

Tony is Polish? I always thought he was from Italian descent *blush*

As for the slang--it's funny to us now it sounds so 50s but most of it was all written for the show, largely so it wouldnt' sound dated (Sondheim mentions this a lot in the recent BBC radio interview). Stephen even claims terms like Cool and coolio were only beginning to be used by jazz musicians, never by kids or street gangs, etc, saying that was Laurents' main genius conceit.

E

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:28am

Yup, Bernardo refers to Tony as "The Pollack"

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:09am

When is this production opening?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:10am

As of now, sometime next year.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 8:16pm

Bump now that we know it is a production!

Updated On: 5/4/08 at 08:16 PM

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 8:25pm

Bum now?

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 9:53pm

I know this is old but I think Krysta Rodriguez would be so wrong for Maria. Her Anita could potentially be great, though.

[scott68]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 10:01pm

I think Jon Groff should be Maria. He'd be totally fierce!

[winter_sky]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 10:06pm

I think Krysta is better suited for Maria. From what I've seen and heard she is very good at sweet, naive characters with big voices. I don't know if she has the attitude and maturity to pull off Maria.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 10:12pm

I would be shocked if Jonathan is not cast as Tony.