West Side Story revival casting?- Page 5

[tapfrog]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 3:57pm

Julie Craig played Maria at Barrington Stage last summer and was
superb in the role. Where is she now?

[caitlinette]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:59pm

Elena Shaddow played Maria 5 years ago...I believe she's 29 now, which feels a little too old for that role (although I love her and would really enjoy hearing her sing the songs).

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:03pm

The revival is being cast age-appropriately, so expect an unknown cast full of fresh young talent.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:55pm

Good!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 7:32pm

Thanks ljay, didn't know he was gay or the cause of death. Very sad.

[TiffanyB]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 9:48pm

I still think that
Morrison would be excellent as Tony.
Natalie Cortez as Anita.
An unknown as Maria.
Dont know for Bernardo, Riff.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:13pm

Barbara Walters as Anita

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:55pm

She looks spanish

Not Puerto Rican?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:14pm

She isn't actually Latina? Darn, I knew I should have auditioned! Of course, I'm only proficient in Spanish, not fluent. :/

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:16pm

an old student of mine, who JUST graduated from College, was cast as well. they're going for young fresh names here... they don't need BIG names. the musical itself will get people

[bobthetomato]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:56am

I don't know about Lea for Maria. Maria needs to be a legit soprano with some strong B's. If only Audra McDonald were young and latino.

I agree with the idea of Matthew Morrison, he's pretty solid. I'm not sure if Natalie would come off as a strong enough Anita, maturity-wise. No doubt she has the voice. Idk though, I'm pretty darn excited for this revival...much more so than for Godspell...blah.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 9:32am

Matthew Morrison as Tony
Lea Michele as Maria
Natalie Cortez as Anita

[SLasko]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 10:19am

Ok, so I skimmed the messages on the board so forgive me if any of this has already been said.
I was in a workshop with the casting director of WSS and he spoke for about an hour about exciting things they would be doing with WSS.
First, he raved about Matt Cavenaugh as Tony, so they really want him. Evidenced here: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120393.html

He also said he wanted all the ethnic roles to be played by people of the proper ethnicity and people who can speak spanish fluently and with perfect accent.
He told us that Sondheim is collaborating with Lin Manuel Miranda to rewrite lyrics of certain songs into Spanish so that when the Sharks would be singing, it would mostly be spanish, except for Anita, who loves english, so her part will be in english.
Thats about all I remember. I also remember hearing (not from him) that Lea Michele will definitely not be asked to take the role of Maria.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 12:20pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=976349

[evadiva]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:10pm

I'm glad to hear that about Lea Michele. I would not like to see her play this role.

[SteamHeat2]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 10:50pm

Probably not going to happen but Louis Hobson was a fabulous Tony in Seattle last year at 5th ave. Him or Matt Morrison have my vote- both have gorgeous voices but may look a little too old depending on how the rest are cast..possible Groff...

[bobthetomato]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 2:21am

Gosh darnit...I hate Lin-Manuel Miranda. Sorry to all of his fans, but I just think that presents himself with an undeserved sense of accomplishment.

Anywho, It's a sad day when there aren't many young classical sopranos on Broadway...i can't really think of someone who i would like to play maria.

[NGD47]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 2:25am

He told us that Sondheim is collaborating with Lin Manuel Miranda to rewrite lyrics of certain songs into Spanish so that when the Sharks would be singing, it would mostly be spanish, except for Anita, who loves english, so her part will be in english.
------------------------------------------
Does this piss off anyone else? It seems like are alienating an entire part of the potential audience.

Updated On: 9/1/08 at 02:25 AM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 2:25am

Yeah, I know a lot of young, latina classical sopranos. I told them about the auditions but I only think one actually went .

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 2:33am

Apparently Karen Olivo is a trained soprano. Not sure if she's good to my standards because I haven't heard her, but yeah.

[dutch46mill2]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:20am

Since Diana Degarmo is available since Godspell is "postponed" I think she would be an excellent Maria. Does anyone know if she auditioned or is she into something else now? She looks the part , can sing the part and a true up and coming actress.
Updated On: 9/4/08 at 08:20 AM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 9:39am

Is she Latina?

[SLasko]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 5:19pm

Oh whoops sorry I forgot to mention an important detail:

anytime they are singing or speaking spanish, there will be subtitles going on, so there shouldnt be a feeling of alienation so much as one of realism.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 5:41pm

Diana played Maria in a regional production of WSS in New Mexico, I believe.
I'd love to see her as Maria. :]

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 5:54pm

I'm thinking of forming a non-profit called the CCKOAWSSR.
Coalition to Cast Karen Olivo as Anita in the West Side Story Revival.