West Side Story

[edjames]

The new production of West Side Story has been running for a short while and I'm wondering if anyone out there has seen this new production yet and what are your thoughts?

 

I've only heard one negative reaction to the show so far.

 

It is not offering any discounts, yet, but I imagine some tickets are probably available at TKTS.

 

Ed

[+ Lucky]

Moving On Up

 

The original reader reviews at the NY Times website (password required) were not good. Yet they have improved as additional reviews have been added. Granted, I wish that I could go to TKTS and get tickets for the best shows, but, on the other hand, how can we hope for and encourage new Broadway shows if they can only succeed by offering half-price tickets?

 

Here is the latest NY Times.com (password required) reader review:

 

NEWEST READER REVIEW

very enjoyable, fiery new take, March 09, 2009

 

Reviewer: kbwindrider

I am just a little appalled at the closeminded-ness of most of the reviews here. To enjoy this show, one must forget how much they liked or disliked the movie version or the original stage, and see it as a new show. When you open up to the changes, it all comes alive. The dancing is purely phenomenal--I could not take my eyes off the dancers, they were simply unbelievable; the choreography is brilliantly brought to life. Karen Olivo as Anita and Josephina Scaglione as Maria particularly shine, both with strong stage presence and beautiful voices. I also loved the actors that played A-Rab and Action: Kyle Coffman and Curtis Hollbrook. They were brimming with energy. Overall, the only problems were Tony's slightly annoying vibrato and the lack of Shark boys in the America song. Definitely a fantastic show worth seeing!

[foxy]

Years ago I saw a revival of West Side Story at Lincoln Center. I forget the year. During intermission a friend pointed out a bald man with a beard standing all by himself. It was Jerome Robbins. He looked disappointed and a little annoyed that no one was going up to him.

 

My friend told me this story. During rehearsal he was on stage giving the cast a hard time. Apparently he was something of an sob and difficult to work with. As he was yelling at the cast he was slowly backing up not noticing that he was approaching the orchestra pit. No one warned him and he fell in. Big crash! Everyone tried hard not to laugh.

[edjames]

Sorry Lucky but West Side Story was not up on the board at TKTS this afternoon.

 

While up in HK this afternoon I met with several Broadway pals. One said he had seen WSS and he did not rave about it. In fact, he said it was "gay." He did not think the casting for the Sharks and the Jets was very successful and they looked like a bunch of teenage twinks. These are his words, not mine. He went on to say that Matt Cavanagh was vocally weak. The role of Anita was played by an understudy at the performance he attended, but he said she was terrific. So, I guess I'll have to sit this one out a while longer.

 

"Hair," "Exit The King," "Impressionism," all available on TKTS. Missing were "Billy Elliot," and "Blithe Spirit" (I am hearing terrific things about Angela Landsbury's performance in this one!

 

ED

[+ Lucky]

Twink Jet

 

Oh, I already have my tickets to WSS. Full price, but good seats.

If the show is gay, that won't be a problem for me.

[Lankypeters]

"Blithe Spirit" (I am hearing terrific things about Angela Landsbury's performance in this one!

 

If you want to see her flutter her eyes, twiddle her fingers, wave her hands this way and that and channel Marion Lorne's blank confusion -- in other words, do the schtick she's done for the last 40 years - you might say she's "terrific." I say she's not up to the rest of the cast who are terrifically skillful at playing British high comedy. Indeed, she's in an altogether different play than all of the others. Rupert Everett is a revelation. He's great at the comedy, the timing, the language. He trained in Britain and it shows. When he and Jayne Atkinson, who plays his wife, get going, they really cook. They are a couple you'll meet in Britain hundreds of times. Bring on Christene Ebersole, who's lovely, and the thing really gets going as it should -- fast and farcical and, above all, literate. Coward's writing is wonderful, no surprise there.

 

It's a salubrious evening, but someone really great as Mme. Arcati would have made it memorable.

[Guest carter07]

Was in NYC last weekend and had one evening to myself. Went to the new TKTS booth in Duffey Square, and almost chose WSS, but instead got a single to "Hair." This was the first preview night. Had never seen "Hair." This is the Public Theater revival of last summer, as I understand it, moved into the Hirschfeld. Some really hunky, sexy guys in it and, of course, the nude scene that ends the first act is, well, really naked and the male anatomy is more than interesting.

[Lankypeters]

and the male anatomy is more than interesting.

 

 

Here, at last, is one statement with which most members on this site will agree.

[+ Lucky]

Lanky Lansbury

 

We can be sure that, in real life, Lankypeters is not NY Times critic Ben Brantley. In Brantley's review of Blithe Spirit, he lauds Angela Lansbury's performance, saying that she walks (dances) away with the show.

 

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/theater/reviews/16blit.html

 

And, the NY Post critic says that some of her co-stars struggle to keep pace with her:

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03162009/entertainment/theater/spirit_willing__flash_weak_159816.htm

 

The NY Daily News calls her performance "endless fun."

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/03/16/2009-03-16_angela_lansbury_moves_us_but_blithe_spir.html

[Lankypeters]

We can be sure that, in real life, Lankypeters is not NY Times critic Ben Brantley. In Brantley's review of Blithe Spirit, he lauds Angela Lansbury's performance, saying that she walks (dances) away with the show.

 

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/theater/reviews/16blit.html

 

And, the NY Post critic says that some of her co-stars struggle to keep pace with her:

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03162009/entertainment/theater/spirit_willing__flash_weak_159816.htm

 

The NY Daily News calls her performance "endless fun."

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/03/16/2009-03-16_angela_lansbury_moves_us_but_blithe_spir.html

 

Lanky is none of the critics you quote. In fact, Lanky is wondering as he reads the reviews of BS this morning if he's any critic at all. The NYPost critic appears on to Lansbury's shenanigans. I might point out in my defense that Mr. Coward said Mme. Arcati should not be played "daffy," but very seriously as someone who believes in what she's doing. That's the secret of great comedy playing. Don't play it as "funny." Belive it. More often than not, and to Coward's disdain, the part became a star turn, as in the musical version of the play, "High Spirits." Bea Lillie turned the part into the Bea Lillie show. Coward was not pleased.

It may be grandiose of me to suggest that the critics are throwing roses at the legend that is Lansbury. To me she's way, way out there on another wave length from the rest of the hard working cast. I have liked her perfomaces in other roles -- "Manchurian Candidate," "Gyspy." But I really feel she threw this one out of whack. Audiences, fans and critics love her and that's why she -- and the production itself -- is up there.

Now what about Marion Seldes in the part? A solid actress with a sense of wit?

[+ Lucky]

Not to worry, lankypeters. We all have different opinions, and I don't like to go with the crowd all of the time. My actor that I can't get is Nathan Lane. it seems to me that all he ever plays is Nathan lane, and gets accolades for doing it. I didn't mind him getting Adelaide, but it was all downhill after that.

 

BTW, Vanity Fair is reimagining West Side Story with modern actors. Here's hunky actor Chris Evans in one scene:

 

http://towleroad.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c730253ef011168fd18ef970c-500wi

[Lankypeters]

Not to worry, lankypeters. We all have different opinions, and I don't like to go with the crowd all of the time. My actor that I can't get is Nathan Lane. it seems to me that all he ever plays is Nathan lane, and gets accolades for doing it. I didn't mind him getting Adelaide, but it was all downhill after that.

 

I agree with you completely on both counts.

 

First, opinions are not facts and therefore can't be "right" or "wrong," though some opinions are more strongly informed and argued than others.

 

I join you as well about Nathan Lane. He subjects audiences and cast members to a barrage of upstaging gimmicks, mannerisms and business. His voice sounds strangulated. But he works again and again, at least on Broadway. A series of flops leave him pretty much finished for TV and film, except for occasional supporting roles. But perhaps he'll land a role as a recovering something or other, reveal the real suffering man underneath (cry, clown, cry) and cop an Oscar. He'd actually be good as the alcoholic father in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN.

[+ Lucky]

The Times Likes It

 

Ben Brantley's review of WSS is enough to make me glad that I have tickets:

 

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/theater/reviews/20west.html?hp

[Guest jaighbos]

I was at the opening tonight. The score with a full orchestra remains incredible. Same goes for the original choreography and its execution. Loved the sets and lighting, especially.

Can one quibble with the acting/aspects of the direction? Absolutely. But as a whole (and never having seen a stage version before) I was thoroughly engaged with the story line. Odd stagings for the finale but still had an impact on my. I predict this will have a very health run and quite likely be a shoo-in for best musical revival.

[Bart]

Broadway

 

Lucky and Lanky thanks for your continued discussion regarding Broadway shows. Spending my entire life in a moderate sized Midwest city, exposure to the latest Broadway trends takes quite sometime to get here, but with Chicago 2 hours away there is always the occasional treat to feast on.

 

At least our city has its own performance theaters and symphony and hall so I do not have far to go. Growing up I was fortunate and privelaged to see many muscials and grew to love them. I have a horrible voice, but love to sing many of the songs and imagine the stage, the lights, etc. I do not get as much chance these days to see hardly any plays and musicals. But it takes forever to get to see any of the major productions. Lion King made its debut here last November. This season is ugh, Cats, again, sorry but sit through all that for one song. And then Phantom for the 5th time. We may get Wicked here in about another 5 years with mediocre production company.

 

I find your commentary about Nathan Lane and Angela Lansbury very interesting. It is always an interesting dynamic when casting a show between the producer, director and the writer. Is the role written for the actor or does the actor need to take the character as written and perform the role. Nathan forgets the small nuances many times that enhance the entire production. The director allows him to confuse slapstick comedy for farse. The Producers was a unique role for him, still played best by Zero Mostel. Zero could make you believe anything. As to Angela, she is first a major draw and great performer. Again should writer not like the tone of the character than that is where the director takes control of the play. It is not often that the actor's vision is best for the production, so the battle of control generally lies where the money flows from rather than artistic impression.

 

Again thanks for your continued discussion on the subject which I enjoy a great deal.

[+ Lucky]

You're Welcome

 

Bart, it's nice of you to say so. I always enjoy the theater threads myself, and it's one area where we don't mind when someone has a different opinion than we do. It's part of the fun of the theater- sharing our opinions. Let's hope that there's lots more theater in our futures.

[JT Brooklyn]

Rupert Everett

 

I do find it a little strange that on this VERY GAY Oriented Site that no one has mentioned that Rupert Everett is in the cast?

 

I'm wondering is his performance that forgettable? Lansbury overall has gotten very good reviews. The Lady is a trooper to keep up with a work schedule that the wimp with major ego problems Jeremy Piven seemed to be unable to handle!

 

I dealt a few times with Jereome Robbins on the Upper East Side..He to me was nothing more "at that time" than a cranky old man who couldn't be bothered with picking up after his dogs..when he bothered to walked them!