West Side Story Broadway Opening: More Like Life

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

"Because I wanted it to be more like life and that is what they speak in life, and that’s what they do in the theatre now," director Arthur Laurents, the mastermind behind the new revival of West Side Story tells Brodway.tv and Broadway Magazine at the opening of his new show. The book writer of the musical and director of the revival, Mr. Laurents has awed Broadway by including Spanish lyrics and dialogue in the new revival. The revival of West Side Story opened to tremendous praise and has already become one of the biggest hits of the Broadway season. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine caught up with the brilliant Mr. Laurents and the rest of the cast on opening night.

West Side Story

Join us on the West Side Story as stars like Christie Brinkley, Spike Lee, Bryan Batt, Vanessa Williams, Mark Indelicato, Cheyenne Jackson, and meet the stars of the show at the opening night party.

"West Side Story is my favorite musical of all time. I did it in Seattle before I moved here, and I love it," smiles Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson.

"It's one of my favorite films of all time," says famed director Spike Lee as he heads into the theatre to catch opening night.

"I want it to start already," says Ugly Betty's Mark Indelicato as the stars gather before the performance.

"It's just one of those iconic shows," says the always stunning Vanessa Williams The music is extrodinary. Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim. It doesn't get any better than that."

So is Christie Brinkley a Jet or a Shark?

"I would not be in either gang. I would have to be Maria or Tony, the ones that love and want peace," reflects Ms. Brinkley.

The show received ovations, positive reviews, and has already become a box office hit on Broadway. What did the perfomers think of opening night?

"It was a great crowd. We had a lot of fun. So, I think it went ok," offers Matt Cavenaugh at the show's opening night party, display his gift for understatement. Earning praise for his performance as Tony, Broadway veteran Cavenaugh describes the journey of this revival as "amazing."

"This is such a beloved show. We all have such a fondness and a love of the material for the show and obviously of Arthur Laurents. It's been a great experience for all of us," Matt tells Broadway.tv.

"Everybody started applauding, they went crazy the minute the curtain came up," says George Akram, who plays Bernardo.

"I think it went amazing. I think everyone is embracing this revival of West Side Story, and they should. I think we've worked very hard, and it's a beautiful production," says Karen Olivio, who has created a buzz for her electric performance as Anita, hailed by critics as one of the most exciting performances on Broadway. It looks like this revival will run for a long, long time.

Check out our full video coverage right here on Broadway.tv.