West Side Story 1980 Broadway Revival (part 2)

[psperrazza]

debbie> Debbie!! Love her

[jamv09]

No doubt Debbie Allen is an amazing dancer but to me this cast and production was a bit over the top in the acting and the accents. The 2009 crowd brought a new look into these characters and made the Puerto Rican go from caricatures to characters.

[sgmarks82]

No one performs this role better than debbie allen - except rita moreno of course - but debbie adds SUCH a super POW to the dancing !!!

[kamwrites]

@sgmarks82 Agreed. Debbie owns this.

[AOG93]

@sgmarks82 you should have seen Chita Rivera!

[Xeria]

Debbie is amazing

[SingingFool123]

i fucking LOVE debbie allen but um...nips.

[baronochs]

This should be shown to any musical theatre student on day one of thier course...this is what it is all about..pure talent.

[intelegentable]

What a shame Debbie was not given the chance to do more with her incredible dancing talent. They should have been writing and choreographing stuff just to showcase her talent.

[nestleangel]

I don't know if it's because she is so skinny or just her style but it's like each limb is a separate entity. I've always been jealous of it and tried to recreate it! <3 Debbie Allen!

[AnonymousWhitePerson]

Debbie Allen's sister is Phylicia Rashad who played Claire Huxtable from the Cosby Show.

[colorguardbear]

Just awesome stuff there.

[spineli]

Debbie Allen is a beast!!!!

[sach6Q]

fantastic dancing!

[KrashNthecity]

Debbie set it on fire!! Olivo vocals are better....But Debbie went for the platinum! I would love to see an Anita with Debbie's dancing and Karen's singing! I think I could happily die after seeing that lol

[francofile714]

lol 0:11 cough

[timosan96]

English is badly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[teecurp]

@timosan96 what do you mean?

[Mspendragon1972]

DAMN!!! DEBBIE LIT THAT STAGE ON FIRE!!! SHE WAS INCREDIBLE!!

[kharyzma4u]

Debbie Allen is no joke!! I have always loved her. She's an amazing performer!

[cuteblanca12]

i hated every minuet of it

[pudgeuncle]

@sweetamazinggrace You are really someone who did their homework. I went to this opening night and got to witness Chita Rivera with her mouth hanging open as she watched Debbie Allen! Lopez also had a role which commanded so much talent...to play one of the Marx Brothers, sing, dance and play an instument. All four women in that category were wonderful.

[clarkcny]

Wow. thats it.

[yobsterrish]

...how'd she not a Tony?!

[minoeke7]

wow that was a wonderfull time, i looked manny times to musicals like this on tv just like singing in the rain. they came always on tv at christmastime

[RandomSyd]

Houston:) I love this musical and this is my favorite song from it. Did you know Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad are sisters?#FunFact =]

[princessamina1]

Why did that douche reporter have his back to the camera?

[SexyHogwarts]

Wat a great dancer!! There's no energy like that on broadway

[megzroks]

she is AMAZING!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!

[rshaw3188]

WOOOOOW! Amazing! :D

[LaMisereHQ]

Always been a fan of Allen's dancing in this role but I'm a tiny bit put off by the really stereotypically "LOUD, FIERY LATINA" portrayal with all the hoopin' n' "rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" and stuff. Then again, the character of Anita herself isn't exactly from the most reformed background so I guess it fits. Still, a little less noise would have been more than welcome, hehe.

[ComoLaFlorr]

my god how amazing the lead dancer (who plays anita) I read her name is debbie allen is AMAZING look how she dances with pure fire and energy Im mesmerized really amazing.. I couldnt stop noticing the interviewer/reporter at the end he didnt even say how amazing they where really weird he was like right to the point how many puerto ricans are playing and other things but other then that this was pure delight i love it

[blackberryjuice1]

Why is the news host addressing the white guy who wasn't even in the scene?!?!? Oh, I know. Racism/white supremacy is operating on so many levels in this video it's astonishing no one has pointed it out. Not only the awkward post-performance interview, but the musical itself (this number in particular) *AND* the fact that Debbie Allen wasn't awarded for her astonishing performance demonstrates how racism is still allowed to manifest without commentary.

[gabsylv]

@blackberryjuice1 ...I agree his discomfort is obvious. It's kind of shocking to see it 30 years later. I don't think it would happen today, at least without an outcry. But who did Debbie Allen lose to, BTW?

[justinluversooooohot]

y duznt she have shoes on she s isnt dancing

[kikadiva]

@justinluversooooohot BECAUSE IN THE SCENE THEY WERE COMING FROM THE DANCE AT THE GYM AND HER FEET WERE TIRED!

[jcbwayman]

she is one of the most athletic dancers, so much respect for her! luv her!!

[drjwashin]

i agree she was robbed. Rivera many times as well. When Karen Oliva won a few years back her performance and dancing was mediocre and vanilla

[myRincon]

whoa anorexia much?

[bigellell]

Debbie Allen is A DIVA YOU GO GIRL!!!

[showersinger34]

i know, i know, it was the 80s, but put on a bra!

sorry

other than that, i thought they did a great job :)

[berlande101]

@showersinger34 lmaooo...well she doesnt have any boobs anyways so no harm down

[jackolas2007]

That Anita can sure BELT :D She's AMAZINGGGG :)Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[nicki446]

As Anita, Debbie Allen has everything - incredible voice, crazy dancing... and she's so energetic and sassy!

[peacesavior]

DAMNNNN SHE IS SUPERBBBBB

[peacesavior]

@peacesavior OMFG DATS WAT IM TALKN BOUT PASSION, TECHNIQUE, LIF3 GIVE IT 2 ME DEBBIE LOL

[ElphieBeGood]

debbie allen is black tho right?

[sazzyjt]

@ElphieBeGood yes she is black. but even so a lot of puerto ricans look black too.

[Capitalgsr]

@sazzyjt They don't look black, they are black. Just like blacks in United States. There was slaves brought from Africa to the Islands also. People always talk as if Puerto Rican, Jamaican are of different races. They're just different nationalities and cultures. Think about it!

[sazzyjt]

@Capitalgsr My bad thats wut i meant i kno that all those nationalities r blk i kno the history of my ancestors i made a mistake in wording

[Capitalgsr]

@ElphieBeGood If her ancestors are from Africa she is black no matter if her nationalitiy is Puerto Rican, Dominican, Jamaican or whatever!!

[coldrae]

Debbie Allen seems really phony in this video and she was so damn loud when they were all being interviewed. Still love her though!

[NJNupe1911]

@coldrae

I gotta agree with you!

[whitetiefilms]

I didn't like this revival AT ALL. But I thought Debbie Allen was ridiculously impressive. She was just so....INTENSE.

[jsbach15]

@whitetiefilms I have to agree with you.

[Princesskikyo2]

watch west side story its much better but this is good too

[cheer4giants]

She is MAGNIFICENT [=

[KenzTheMac2]

Debbie is good, Karen is good. they are both talented and great in different ways stop arguing abou it

[fossilkid4life]

She has a CLASSICAL dancers body...back then dancers had to be thin and she has the typical ballerina body. Dancers that you see these days with curves and what not would have been thrown to the dogs lol.

[faramarzasal]

hehhhe im called anita :P

love the sooonng and love herr

[notyouraveragething]

shes amazing, but i couldnt stop concentrating on how skinny she is. she looks so unhealty

[joosie2]

She's good, but way to skinny and she doesn't look healthy.

[westendfan]

i think that as well

[troyful]

DEBBIE ALLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sdseals2076]

In the movie,m her boyfriend and the guys are on the roof sining with them. The guys are against America and the girls are with Anita. I wonder if the movie or the play changed that. I just watched the movie, so that's how I remember.

[nathypooful]

THIS IS JUST SO AMAZZZZZING!!!! dEBBIE ALLEN IS PHENOMINAL!!!!

we are learning this dance at the college im studying at and i cant stop watching it!!! i just want to be finished it coz its just so fantastic!!!!

[westsidestory97]

i LOVE how Anita's dress is like, IDENTICAL to the one in the movie! =]

[takemeorleaveme001]

Maria is terrible!

[realityfreak29]

@takemeorleaveme001 shut your fucking mouth what do you no about singing or acting!!! this is BROADWAY can you get on broadway?????? I think not.... so don't dish it if u cant take it

[MelancholyToaster]

Wow, this is actually PAINFUL to watch :(

[ualflygal]

Debbie Allen was ROBBED!!! She should have won the TONY for her magnificent performance as Anita.

[gomoni87]

WORK DEBBIE!!!!!!!!! Watching this makes me wish I hadn't stopped taking ballet :o(

[SweetBrwnSuga]

@gomoni87 makes me wish i had taken it in the 1st place...

[gomoni87]

LOL I feel u! Anything Debbie touches turns to gold :o)

[reeblite]

it's not a ballet, it's a musical.

[bubbafluff21]

@reeblite yes but you need thoughs skills for musicals.

[reeblite]

as the dancer says in video, " there's alot of acting to the dancing, not alot of dancing."

[5934931]

@reeblite im pretty she means dancing in general, no need to be so technical

[exander]

I had no idea Debbie Allen could sing so great

[Petunia81]

She's so thin.

[speedingclock]

Ohmy, Anita is soo thin :(

[bluerulez25]

well this is just terrible i like the original one

[SiloliWolfeden]

Oh - and about the boys being added again - the song really developed the relationship between Anita and Bernardo which made Bernardo's death triple heartbreaking! *Sniff!*

[SiloliWolfeden]

Another comparison to the 2009 revival - the tempo and energy level here are really good, whereas something just lags in the revival.

[SiloliWolfeden]

The very first thing I think when I see this is how much better I like the costume and hair on Anita in this version than in the 2009 revival.  (I like the movie best of all) I REALLY like how they added the boys in the movie. It pushed the whole thing over the top of awesomeness!

[REDDOG525]

Exactly! Anita having short hair fits a more sassy, firey, and more wanting to be an Americanized but true to her ethnicity Anita. Don't care for Karen's own long beautiful hair for Anita's character but it was what it is. Technically, these dancers and the choreography is amazing but this clip was done early in the morning and filmed in the Today Show's studio; people please know this. Listen to the old out of tuned piano in there. All to say, Debbie's portrayal and perfromance, PRICELESS!!!

[reeblite]

the choreography is more elegant in the new version,

[abcdancergirl2224]

well the choreography isnt supposed to be ELEGANT in WEST SIDE STORY. Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[reeblite]

wow, you're ignorant.

[wshutes]

More elegant = simplified because the cast isn't talented enough to dance it...

[reeblite]

i haven't seen the new show yet live, only videos. i saw 1980 performance-seems to be directed better, only from what i've seen. i remember the1980 show received an ovation from the audience just from a scene change alone, going from the streets to the dance at the gym. it was wild. a guy a grew up with who went to emerson, had the honor of directed a harvard production with leonard bernstein when he was still alive. what an honor. he was obsessed with West Side Story his whole childhood.

[powerfulpowerzz]

ah but karen has the tony so obviously her performance evoked the same effect on others as it did 2 u

[colemcnight]

What you have to realize is that you're taught to sing/act/speak in such a way so that the "person in the back row" can hear/see you. So this may seem like shouting and over exageration on a tv screen but if you're in a theater with hundreds/thousands of people it seems quite normal. Also it's not something you can turn on and off, when you do this multitple times a week and then are asked to do it on another forum you're still in "theater" mode.

[powerfulpowerzz]

true, altho when karen olivo did it for letterman i felt she had more of a balance but u hav a good point

[byrnegirl141]

And the reason that Allen's version may seem more exagerrated compared to Olivo's is the technology that is available for the 2009 revival. With the current sound system Karen Olivo can whisper a line and the back of the house can hear her perfectly, a luxury that Debbie Allen didn't have. Both women are fantastic though

[powerfulpowerzz]

good acting, but terrible singing....cant she act well but also sound pleasantly??? caus i know debbie allen has a good voice....srsly close your eyes and listen to this, its not fun

[G4Rat]

Debbie has never been a great singer, but the role of anita isn't really a "singing" role. Anita is more of a dancing role, and she nails that!

[tubapower88]

Damn!! Good dancers :D

[northwestern04]

midnighttiptoes...your obviously not a good performer....

[midnighttiptoes]

northwestern04, your comment made me laugh. my comment came out wrong. debbie was great in fame. her voice is phenomenal and she's a heck of a dancer, but why the need to shout her lines and over exagerate? ou can still be a good preformer without going all over the place

[mwilson345]

I think I know what you mean, midnight- exaggeration should not take the place of interpretation. This is my problem with Patti Lupone. That said, this number from WSS calls for exuberant precision, and I think Allen has got it exactly right. The "theatricality" of her performance is captivating.

[midnighttiptoes]

debbie is an exceptional dancer, no doubt about that. but she is in no way a great actress. overacting like crazy. shouting some of her lines. it made me cringe.

[FireceDominicainGurl]

west side story is my favorite musical. My two favorite Anitas are the first one Riat moreno and KAren Oilvio. I think that the one playing now is trying to hard. i dont care who says what but rita moreno and karen oilivio are the best anita actors.

[jbactr]

Rita Moreno did the film AFTER Chita Rivera originated it on Broadway.

[Selendomono]

so many people seem to forget chita as anita because of the movie. so many people also wonder where the boys are in this song because of the movie. funny and sad at the same time

Debbie Allen has got to be if not the best singer of the anita's the most sassy at least!

[G4Rat]

I wouldn't say trying too hard. I just think she's really selling to the back row. But Karen and Rita are both very good. I think Debbie is exceptional as well. Got the best reviews in the production.

[AmErIcA12312312]

Rita wasn't the first Anita. She was the movie Anita. Chita was the original Anita

[whocares4294]

she could only be amazing...chita rivera was the original anita, thats a tough act to follow. THIS IS AMAZING!

[andiewestlatina]

Well, we know who the best is....lol. I love Debbie Allen, she is a true performer, but I can't help but love Karen Olivo too, I think she did the role justice, but Debbie is the best in my opinion...

[atlsuperstar]

Now that is Anita! Wow she played the hell out of the role!

[ayawalker89]

HHHUUU... UUU Know!!

excellence breeds excellence!!

[JoelBermudezMercado]

I've seen a few Anitas, but DAMN! Debbie Allen is the BEST! She is AMAZING! Talk about LATIN FLAVOR... and she's from Houston TEXAS! TALENT, pure TALENT!

[RRIDLEY100]

this is so cool, why did she ever stop dancing?? God that woman could move!!!! But if you really want to see her at her best, if anyone can find videos from the mid summer show, 3 girls 3, thats where I saw this star being born. please post it

[REDDOG525]

Pridley100, I thought I was the only one who remembers Debbie Allen's introduction to us and the world on 3 Girls 3. I cannot even remember the other girls names on the short lived "Variety Show." that played in 1977. Debbie Allen was showcased on night dancing to Natalie Cole's "Sophisticated Lady" and I knew then she was something Incredible and Special.....The other girls were Ellen Foley and Mimi Kennedy. Mimi was on Dharma and Greg but clearly Debbie was the became the biggest name.

[FF2SRA2I]

Did I mention how much i love this musical

[roccoh21]

I went to the opening night of the 1980 revival, the last previews of both the current revival and Jerome Robbin's Broadway. No one can touch Debbie Allen overall. D'Amboise is not a great singer and Oliva is a marginal dancer.

[peerah]

Debbie is a GREAT dancer!

[powerfulpowerzz]

arthur laurents himself said that this revival was 'bland"

[grandier42]

arthur laurents ought to know about "bland". The 1980 revival was supervsed by Jerome Robbins, and Leonard Bernstein, and was a far better realization of the creators' work then is the current revival.

[nyprncss1996]

in your opinion, meanwhile u cant dispute the fact that laurents WROTE the book and DIRECTED the current revival. not to say that bernstien and robbins didnt have a large hand in creating this well beloved musical, but the foundation and the story itself came from laurents, so he has the right to give his input, everything else is a matter of opinion

[grandier42]

sorry - youve got the facts wrong. Robbins was the source and the concept, 'foundation' and overall of WSS from the beginning. Robbins directed the original production, the film (or anything thats good about the film) and the 1980 revival.. Laurents "input" along with the book, has always been the weakest element of the piece - score,  choreography and the Original staging are the piece's virtues. Not the clunky book, nor Laurents' terrible direction of the current clumsy revival.

[bethnor]

no one can dispute that allen is a better dancer than olivo. but nostalgia is talking here; the 1980 revival was hardly considered a success either that many consider bland as well. i mean, is cavenaugh any worse than marshall? most of the complaints are the same now as they were then. and many people hate the recording directed by bernstein himself.

robbins and bernstein weren't always right, either.

[nyprncss1996]

it is "clumsy" in your opinion yet it is far moore successful than this one here and laurents DID write the book and a good chunk of the musical's concept came from him. the score is not the only beloved part of this musical, it is the story. its a masterful modernization of romeo and juliet and is well beloved by audiences. to say the music and dancing are the only good parts of the production is, though you are entitled to your opinion, not true

[moreau17]

This is great.... but you should see Charlotte D'Amboise as Anita. She is like this, but more fluid & gorgeous. Not so... spastic. But this is still amazing, i'm not bashing.

[HumbleHarry]

Spastic? I would say comedic. On stage, this number takes place only amongst the women. Anita is clowning here. There are no guys around, like in the film version, so the women are relaxed. There was no reason for Anita to be flirtatiously teasing and overtly sensual in this number. Who was she supposed to be impressing? That's my take, anyway.

[moreau17]

alright, i see your point... thats a good way to look at it too. She is definitely very character driven, thats for sure... i still think its amazing :)

[SZRD]

I saw this revivial on Broadway and this was one of the best numbers. It was even better on a proper stage where they had more room.

[AsiaMs]

Debbie Allen was freakin' A-Mazing!!!!!

[bradshaw5678]

this is RIDICULOUS! Debbie makes the punchlines all make sense...and the direction is right on - the dynamic between Rosalia and the other girls is much more clear. Sure Debbie's voice isn't the best - but she serves her purpose and has the STAR quality to boot. THIS is an Anita. Brava! I'm so glad she was cast - actors need to see today. "IT" factor isn't seen as much these days...this is a great example of it. This clip is fuel for performers! People take note! haha.

[denis65]

I'd love to see Debbie in the Mambo. I wonder if footage exists?

[powerfulpowerzz]

very pitchy, the dancing is good but everything else bout this revival leaves somethin to be desired

[chinto1984]

Debbie is my favorite anita.

[aasjb4ever]

that annoys me that they gave her the rita dress and hair

[jonnbristow]

And they gave Rita the part, the dress, the hair, and lots of the mannerisms of Chita!!

Well it's life... and show business...

[musicaltheatergeek79]

I don't understand why the film version was nominated AND won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. All the costumes in the movie were duplicates of the originals worn on Broadway.

[fosseboi]

This revival better have this energy!

[COURTNEYXCORAL]

i never knew debbie allen did broadway! and she can sing!!! what!!!!? lol she is amazing! too talented!

[G4Rat]

YEah, that's kind of where she made her big break.

[bmkfan]

Dance Debbie!!! I know this was well over 25 years ago, but Lord have mercy. Debbie ate that!! I like Karen Olivo as the most recent B'way 'Anita' and all, but she isn't touchin that @ all. Debbie's a beast. HU All day!

[oingoboingo12]

I saw this revival when I was 17, sitting in the second row, close enough to see the tears on Debbie Allen's cheeks during the curtain calls. The show was amazing.

[bigblatino]

WOW!!!!!!

Debbie Allen in her prime was not to be f%^^d with.

Wow ...

[XXFloor4]

Is this broadway.....? sorry but I know people who better sing!

but still good!

xxx

[MaryBridget12]

this is a very stylized singiny style. Kind of operatic as well as latin sounding. I think she did a fabulous job. It is not exactly popular now, but in terms of trained singing, this is incredible.

[Selendomono]

that debbie allen is one of the best dancers ive ever seen!

[NomiMalone4]

debbie better be fierce!!!!!

[an7iguy]

Absolutely terrific, Debbie Allen is a goddess and the pelvic thrusts are hysterical. This only makes me more excited for the revival. Thanks for posting!

[renethel]

Yes! Isn't she hilarious? And it's already a given that Debbie Allen is an amazing dancer.

I'm excited to see Karen Olivo take on the role of Anita. I bet that the revival is goibng to be amazing!

[Leadingdude]

Debbie Allen is sooo young here!!! She is amazing!!!

[tipotodo]

YES!!!!! they better work it out

[byrnegirl141]

I want to give Anita a sandwich. Amazing performance though