Millions of fans grew up watching West Side Story, longing for the day they could snap their fingers alongside those effortlessly suave Sharks and Jets. Well, thanks to 20th Century Fox, those childhood dreams could turn into a reality. Prepare your best show tune, break out those jazz shoes, and head over to Miami City Ballet on Monday, October 29, for the remake's open casting call.
Casting director Cindy Tolan and her team have released a notice about the audition that seeks applicants for male/female Sharks and Jets to appear in the reboot of the 1961 musical film. The open call recommends that participants come warmed up, wearing proper attire, and ready to dance. Hopefuls should be aged 15 to 25 with a "strong dance background" and "must be able to sing." In particular, the notice specifies, "the Sharks are Latinx, and the Jets are Caucasian." Sign-in for men runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. October 29; women are scheduled for 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Boasting a timeless soundtrack, West Side Story first stole the hearts of Americans when it appeared on Broadway in 1957. A 1961 musical film adaption directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise followed to a favorable critic response, winning ten of the 11 Academy Awards for which it was nominated. The epic Romeo and Juliet-inspired story about a doomed NYC love affair between members of rival gangs saw Broadway revivals in 1989 and 2009, alongside a slew of international stage productions from 1960 to 2010.
(Read the full article via The Miami New Times: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/west-side-story-open-casting-call-in-miami-monday-october-29th-10824499)