Whatever happened to a West Side Story revival?

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 2:29pm

I remember a few seasons ago there were talks of a West Side Story revival coming to Broadway, I thought this coming season but I guess I was wrong.

I was just wondering, whats the status of that project?

Updated On: 4/26/06 at 02:29 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 3:20pm

The plans were for a 50th Anniversary revival in 2007 to be headed by Jerry Mitchell. It may still happen (though Mitchell will be busy with Legally Blonde through April of 2007).

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 6:03pm

Wasn't there also talk of updating it? The thought frightens yet intrigues me.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 9:24pm

Wow, Jerry Mitchell would be a blessing for a WEST SIDE revival. His choreography is stunning.

[senortenor]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 9:28pm

I was really looking forward to having that around this Spring. How does Margo know the answers to each and every question posed on this board? hehehe!

[BluCat500]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 9:31pm

I've been slipping Margo the answers...

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 9:45pm

Am I in the minority for feeling that Mitchell is not the bets choice?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 10:49pm

In an interview, Mitchell said that he planned on recreating the Jerome Robbins choreography for the revival. He said that he's done the show in the past both with the original choreography and also with another choreographer's new choreography and that he thought that the original couldn't be topped, so he doesn't plan on changing it. I would assume, though that he plans to bring his own personal vision to the overall staging of the show. He acknowledges that Robbins' genius looms over every aspect of it and there's no point in running away from it.

I hope this happens (and that he can find time in his busy schedule) -- I think he's the ideal person to supervise bringing this show back to Broadway.

[catstagestud]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 10:51pm

That'd be amazing. I find Mitchell's work to be engaging and very exciting for an audience. Would love to see Robbin's work re-created for the stage...only have seen this production once and would really love to see it on the Great White Way sometime soon.

Cheers,

Christopher

[Hawker]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 1:08am

The problem is that the Jerome Robbins estate has almost complete control over the choreography in his legendary shows. The contractual restrictions on altering his work are so tight it cost a director and choreographer their jobs in "Fiddler".