Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2009 - West Side Story

[bebesimpleson9]

Karen may be "more powerful" vocally but Natalie has pure resonance...Karen definitely lacks the control Natalie has. Not once did she go sharp or flat like Karen tends to do all over the place. Both are beautiful women though who bring different elements to the character of Anita.

[bebesimpleson9]

I didn't buy Karen as authentic to be honest. Natalie, absolutely and she has a beautiful voice with admirable control and resonance! But nice job to all :)

[justsmile2398]

Karen Olivo is more powerful

[derogatony]

Natalie Cortez is a vast improvement over Karen Olivo.

[WICKEDrocksHL26]

I like her, although she's not as vocally powerful as Karen. She does look like Penelope Cruz, haha.

[sophie07079]

im guessing 5 ppl dont like "America" -____-

[Shellabellaify]

Karen Olivo is much better...she acted the part better and took more command of the song

[icomeandgobybubble87]

Did they change the lyrics?

[lmw7987]

shes good but i still luv karen olivo best <3

[FireGirlG]

I think Natalie is a better dancer (looks to be more classically trained) than Karen (though I do prefer Karen vocally), but both hold their own in their respective portrayals of Anita. I would be happy to see either of them live.

[OtakuChixx]

I like this chick better than Karen Olivo

[kamwrites]

Check out Debbie Allen's version. No one since has embodied her energy .

[horseluvur26]

i like karen olivo much better

[wierdo81898]

Karen Broke Her Foot! She cant dance anymore! =(

[sugarhoneyicedtea123]

I love Natalie, but I just don't like her as Natalie. She doesn't seem, I don't know, there's just something about her that I like about Karen better. I loved Natalie as Diana in Chorus Line though, fantastic.

[imajazzbandnerd]

ok, I love Karen Olivo, but Natalie Cortez kicks ass.

[mysweetsmile23]

natalie's fantastic!!! 

[Iverson7502]

at certain moments of this i think Natalie looked a little bit like Penelope Cruz :)

[palmtop1000]

I went to see West Side Strory, and the role of Anita was played by Natalie Cortez and she was AMAZING!!!! She got a standing ovation at the end... she stole the show...

GREAT ACTRESS/SINGER/DANCER... very well rounded!

[hairspraluva]

does anita look like penelope cruz?

[geniirena]

Natalie is good, but I think Karen is better in this role. Karen is more fiery and acts Anita really well.

[chutupcharita]

Jut saw this today with Natalie as Anita, and prefer her over Karen... amazing voice!

[xx74g5]

is this the current karen olivo understudy?

shes amazing .. but doesnt look much latina

[TheFranamaria]

There is absolutely no other performer like NATALIE CORTEZ! If you missed her in Chorus Line, what a shame, Now you have a chance to see here almost every Sunday matinee at least as ANITA in West Side Story...don't miss her. Natalie has studied dance all her life, as well as voice and acting. Love always! Frana

[Lonleykounichi]

Man I love Natalie. And this is just my opinion but I like her better than Karen. I mean Karen dose have an amazing voice but I just like Natalie's a BIT more

[jewey896]

Is she like the understudy or Karens replacement?

[G4Rat]

@jewey896 she's the standby. Karen was on vacation in california when they shot this.

[gdmcrfan1025]

I happen to adore Natalie Cortez, there's no pt in a Karen vs Natalie battle. Both have their strengths and weaknesses in terms of who does a better job. They're busting their asses and both gave me chills the two times I saw the revival. No hate here, KEEP KILLING IT GIRLS!

[actor1118]

that's the Anita stand by. i saw her when I saw it. she's good but I'd much rather see Karen olivo.

[OzzieFRESH]

this is amazing.

[jewey896]

Who was Anita in this??

[Jigglesw]

@jewey896 its Natalie Cortez

[david88441]

karen and josephina were perfect 4 this? wth happened?

[nostradamusdude]

So hot!!!!!

[chelseababeeeee]

i just came bak from broadway its the 30th of december i came back at 6:30 it was awesome

[inickberke]

oyyyyyy natalie does NOT have the olivo belt

[LowCostBenefits]

I saw them do this live for the Macy's fireworks spectacular and Karen Olivo was outstanding as Anita; she puts so much passion into her role it's so extraordinary!!!

[Defjams1991]

wtf happen to karen olivo

[5934931]

@Defjams1991 that is not karen olivo

[cyoung55391]

i agree so much, if they could be one person they'd be perfect

[MADMAC1235]

"growing" and "smoke on ur pipe" is funny lol :L:L

[cyoung55391]

oh and she is actually Spanish so it helps

[cyoung55391]

I love Natalie she and she is actually a dancer so she does better than Karen but karen has a killer voice

[sportc410]

@cyoung55391 I know I wish we could just put their two skills together!

[Saigon10185]

what happened to the big "America Jumps" at the end??

thats the most famous choreography from West Side Story!!

[JeffMiele]

saw natalie in a chorus line years ago.. she was a great diana

[luvHSM2]

Can anyone tell me the names of the two women, the one in the purple dress and the one in the peache skirt? thanks.

[Jarrod005]

Purple dress is Anita (Natalie Cortez) and the peach skirt is Rosalia (Jennifer Sanzhez)

[luvHSM2]

Thank you. : )

[RENTlover12345]

karens understudy isn't that great. I mean shes an amazing dancer, but her voice is bad (as anita, she was amazing in ACL.)

[gaoqiao101]

I think Natalie is good.. but karen is better.. her choreography is really different than karen... i liked karen's better.. but her voice is great and her dancing! But still.. karen to me is better but she is amazing!

[friendsMJD]

Karen's a personal preference, but Natalie's ok.

[nina12345678917]

im not a fan of west side idk mayb bc iv seen it to many times ehh idk

[ExAxLxPx12]

is the girl who is playing Anita here the girl who played Merallis in the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line? cause she reminds me a lot of her and she looks a lot like her. also where is Karen!!? is her contract up?

[Jarrod005]

Yes she played Diana for the entire run of the "A Chorus Line" revival.

[ExAxLxPx12]

I KNEW IT!!!!  haha, she was great. i like her in this too, but i hope Karen's not gone yet

[gaoqiao101]

Karen is not gone... yet.....

[ExAxLxPx12]

good! anyone know how come she didn't do the parade?

[gaoqiao101]

sometimes leads don't come and have their understudies because they get tired, and it gives their understudies a chance to perform and get publicity i think!

[faggyboy2]

i...LOVE...HER!

karen is mad talented and so is miss Natalie :]

i hope she gets the job when karen departs

Natalie has very big shoes to fill :D

[gaoqiao101]

Natalie is her understudy right?

[Jarrod005]

Natalie is a swing in addition to understudying Anita.

[Jarrod005]

I hope Anita goes to her when Karen's contract runs up.

PS. she looks AMAZING for recently having a baby.

[WendlaBergmann]

She is GORGEOUS. Go Natalie.

[powerfulpowerzz]

where..the.....hell....is....K­AREN???????????

[gaoqiao101]

NO that is not Karen at all!

[TheArstone333]

Can you even take Ms. Cortez??? What a fantastic artist of the craft. We were lucky to get 4+ minutes of this stunning performance on Thanksgiving day! You go girl.

[Jarrod005]

NATALIE CORTEZ IS BOSS!

I was freaking out that Karen wasn't on but then I saw Natalie!

She is an amazing dancer and singer! It's nice to see that last kick up to par with the other girls (still love you Karen)

[ktabianchi]

Girlfriend better GET IT. Natalie did a fantastic job.

But I wonder where Ms. Olivo was?

[creativethingsx]

Not sure where Karen Olivo was but Natalie Cortez is a more than acceptable substitute!

[NobodyInAllofOZ1]

@creativethingsx karen was prob sick that day

[CoNnOr17rEd]

where's the original Anita..?