West Side Story revival casting?- Page 7

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 6:25pm

Does she have an amazing soprano? No. Maria shouldn't. It should be a simple, pure, youthful sound, which is what Scaglione has. Vocally, she's perfect for the role.

[dutch46mill2]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 6:57pm

With those blue eyes and light brown hair and fair skin she looks more like someone related to a German world war two immigrant. Like someone pointed out it could have been anyone from the US. If Argentinian is Spanish is Puerto Rican Spanish or Portuguese because there is a difference in language.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 7:13pm

I didn't listen to "Memory." Her "O mio babbino caro" wasn't the best that I've heard and her Ab5 wasn't very floaty. But she's decent enough, especially given what I was expecting.

In terms of looks, I think people are being a little ridiculous. There are a lot of Latinas who aren't dark like that. I mean, look at Alexis Bledel. And Joanna Garcia, though she is part Spanish.

Updated On: 9/16/08 at 07:13 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 9:53pm

She'll be wearing a wig anyway, so her actual hair color doesn't matter.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:17am

It's sort of amazing to see how many people are hung up on the "looks Latina" factor. The ignorance on this board is unbelievable.
The girl is from a South American country that shares Latino culture, Spanish is her Native language, and she shares a Latin blood. Not all Latinos look like Lin-Manuel Miranda or Robin DeJesus.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:28am

Well, you don't want to confuse the tourists who think that all Latinas look like Eva Longoria or America Ferrera. As I said though, her skin is dark "enough" and I'm sure they'll put her in a black/very dark brown wig.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:35am

They should paint her in "Latino" face.

[BrianS]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:36am

I wonder how they are going to get her past Equity since it would be a hollow claim at best that she is an international star. Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S., they wouldn't have had an issue if they picked an actual Puerto Rican.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:51am

Equity has really relaxed their stance in recent years on allowing artists from other countries to work in NYC. I doubt its a problem.

If its at all an issue, Laurents will argue that she's 'uniquely qualified' and will be able to give significant evidence that an exhaustive casting search was indeed held throughout the U.S.

I don't think you'll hear any protest from AEA.

[bwayfan4ever2]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 4:27am

She's no Carol Lawrence. Her voice is ordinary, her vibrato annoying and she was straining on some of the high notes. Doubt she will be able to handle 8 shows a week for any length of time.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 10:40am

Her high notes are very tense, yes. That is a huge concern for me, since if an A5 is difficult for her, I can't imagine a C6 will be easier.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:09pm

You know its interesting you write that, bwayfan, because a lot of people complain about Carol Lawrence's voice on the original recording for those exact reasons. Carol wasn't a great soprano, truth be told - her voice was naturally in the mezzo belt range.

What I hope is that this girl has some serious acting chops. Thats really more crucial ultimately for her success in the role than her being able to sing the score like Kiri Te Kanawa.

[marknyc]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:42pm

Her voice in the recording of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" seems to have the innocence required for Maria.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:01pm

More photos of Ms. Scaglione: http://www.portfolio-group.com/modelos.ficha.php?id=0000000084

[jennyish]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:52pm

There's no way she can pass for 16. Hopefully she reads MUCH younger onstage.

Then again, next to Matt Cavanaugh . . . :/

[BrianS]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 3:17pm

"Equity has really relaxed their stance in recent years on allowing artists from other countries to work in NYC."

Not saying this isn't true, but I haven't heard or seen this. Are there examples you can name in any current Broadway show? I know they have been very cool about British Equity trades, but even then, they keep an eye on the numbers going each way to make sure it's fair.

[notyourmomma]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 5:22pm

As far as I know they didn't care at all about Hadley Fraser and the many Irish performers (not only on stage but in the pit) that were brought to America for "The Pirate Queen."

[Siren2]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 7:53pm

Listened to her clips and she has a lovely voice, just what the casting people wanted. But as a Puerto Rican (from the island) I can say that she is not very representative of what a puerto rican girl looks like. Yes, we have blonds and all color of eyes in Puerto Rico and various cultural influences but even the blonds still look like they are from the Island. Argentineans (more so than most other Latin/Hispanic countries) have a very distinctive look that does not at all look Puerto Rican. She's beautiful but I guess in my mind I have a completely different picture of "Maria". I know Krysta Rodriguez was seen and sang the material very well. Many of my Puerto Rican friends went in as well and I had hoped to see one of these unknown sopranos get a chance to represent Puerto Rico. There isn't that much out there in this business for an ethnic classical soprano and this seemed like the perfect role for one of them. Maybe they'll cast one of them as the understudy.

Updated On: 9/17/08 at 07:53 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 10:59pm

Any word yet on who they've cast as Anita?

[bbonstage]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 12:21am

Just that they are having an audition next week in NY and had an audition yesterday in MIAMI....

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 1:20am

It was reported on Chris Jones' Chicago Tribune blog that Chicago actor Greg Vinkler will play the role of Doc.

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:33pm

Any rumor as to who will be playing Anita or who is in contention for the role?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:37pm

KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO
KAREN OLIVO

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:38pm

in my own bway world i would wish for J-LO to be Anita.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:39pm

J.lo is way too old now. For this revival, at least.