This spring, WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway in a groundbreaking new production, the upcoming revival's director and legendary book writer of the original production Arthur Laurents gives a revealing interview with the Sunday Washington Post. The article is a must read.
Laurents gives insight into bringing the classic work to a modern Broadway stage, his view on film version of the musical and the importance of giving all the characters the correct voice in regards to the story, to read the Washington Post interview click here.
Arthur Laurents (Book, Director) first play, Home of the Brave, opened on Broadway in 1945 followed by The Time of the Cuckoo and A Clearing in the Woods. He also has written the books for several musicals, including West Side Story, Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle and Do I Hear a Waltz?, which was based on his play The Time of the Cuckoo. Laurents has directed several Broadway productions as well, including the musicals I Can Get It for You Wholesale La Cage Aux Folles, for which he won a Tony Award, and three productions of Gypsy in 1974, 1989 and the current production starring Patti LuPone which received seven 2008 Tony Award nominations. Laurents has also written two novels, "The Way We Were," and "The Turning Point," both of which became successful films for which Laurents wrote the screenplays. He also wrote the screenplays for The Snake Pit, Anastasia and the Alfred Hitchcock film Rope.
The upcoming WEST SIDE STORY cast of 37 will star Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as "Tony," Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as "Anita," Cody Green (Movin' Out) as "Riff" and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as "Bernardo." The role of "Maria" will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.
WEST SIDE STORY will also feature Steve Bassett as "Lt. Schrank," Kyle Brenn as "Boy Soprano," Joshua Buscher as "Diesel," Mike Cannon as "Snowboy," Kyle Coffman as "A-Rab," Joey Haro as "Chino," Eric Hatch as "Big Deal," Curtis Holbrook as "Action," Michael Mastro as "Glad Hand" Danielle Polanco as "Consuela," Jennifer Sanchez as "Rosalia," Lee Sellars as "Krupke," Tro Shaw as "Anybodys," Ryan Steele as "Baby John," Greg Vinkler as "Doc" along with Madeline Cintron, Lindsay Dunn, Matthew Hydzik, Marina Lazzaretto, Chase Madigan, Kaitlin Mesh, Pamela Otterson, Sam Rogers and Amy Ryerson as "The Jets" and Isaac Calpito, Haley Carlucci, Peter John Chursin, Yurel Echezaretta, Manuel Herrera, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kat Nejat, Christian Elan Ortez, Michael Rosen, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger and Tanairi Sade Vazquez as "The Sharks."
