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BREAKING NEWS: SOMETHING’S NOT COMING back and will not MAMBO ever again on the Great Bright Way! Due to COVID-19, various media reports, and extreme low ticket sales, it has just been announced that Ivo van Hove‘s abridged Broadway revival of West Side Story will NOT be reopening. It closes at the Broadway Theatre following 77 previews and 21 regular performances.
With the show’s original 1957 production’s 732 performances,
the 1980 Broadway revival’s 333 performances,
the 2009 Broadway revival’s 775 performances,
and this revival’s 98 performances ……
WEST SIDE STORY has played a complete total of 1,938 PERFORMANCES ON BROADWAY!!!!
This new production of WEST SIDE STORY was known for a lot of backlash and controversy in the press. Some of this included….
the removement of Jerome Robbins’ legendary original choreography known for still being used in past major productions,
the latest news of the show’s former head producer Scott Rudin and his tyrannical behavior,
the removement of some of WEST SIDE STORY’s notable moments including I FEEL PRETTY and the ballet during the number SOMEWHERE,
and
reports on the casting of Amar Ramasar in the role of “Bernado” due to previous reports on sexual harassments at New York City Ballet. This caused a huge uproar in the #MeToo Campaign.
Our hearts go out to everyone involved with the production of a job.
However, the legacy of WEST SIDE STORY still lives on. Coming this holiday season will be the release of Steven Speilberg‘s highly anticipated movie musical remake of this timeless story.
The show today also continues to be performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Thoughts?
Mike Haber
Author: Mike Haber