BWW Interview: Larry Raben of WEST SIDE STORY at 5-Star Theatricals
by Cary Ginell
With gun violence and immigration continuing to be front page news, West Side Story remains one of our most relevant and thought-provoking musicals. Since its debut on Broadway 60 years ago, the show has been subject to much tinkering by producers and directors wishing to update it, by incorporating ethnic-relevant casts and even, in the case of the most recent Broadway revival, dialog and songs sung in Spanish. 5-Star Theatricals' forthcoming version of the show, which debuts at the Kavli Theatre July 26, promises more reverence to Jerome Robbins' original production, but includes some innovations as well. We spoke with director Larry Raben recently during a rehearsal session.
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