West Side Story returns to Broadway tonight with updated choreography and some Spanish lyrics. Today, we find out what's at the heart of the musical’s Spanish accent with choreographer Joey McKneely and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose translating the book. Plus: New York Times reporter Patrick Healy explains why Broadway is surviving the recession. Finally: Brooklyn singer, songwriter and all-around alchemist Tim Fite shares his unlikely blend of classic acoustic folk and hip-hop.
Broadway Stays Healthy, for Now
The revival of West Side Story grossed over $1 million in each of its first two weeks of preview performances. Its popularity indicates that audiences haven’t given up on Broadway at this stage of the economic downturn. We check the pulse of the Great White Way today as we're joined ...
West Side Story, Revisited and Revised
As "West Side Story" returns to Broadway for the first time in nearly three decades, producers are trying a more authentic tact. Many of the lyrics are now in Spanish, and parts of the dances have changed as well to make what the creators hope is a more realistic show. ...
Tim Fite
Tim Fite might be one of Brooklyn’s hardest-to-pin-down artists. He’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll...and a little bit Eminem. His laptop-powered live shows feature Fite accompanied by video projects of himself. And his stage presence rivals the bewilderment of “Stop Making Sense”-era David Byrne. Fite ...
Austin Power
How does Austin handle the electricity needs of 1,900 bands and thousands of South by Southwest attendees? Pretty well, if you ask me. (Pssst: AT&T Wireless ... you should learn a thing or two from these guys.)
Metal From Montreal, Rockabilly from Spain
Priestess at Emo\'s Annex
With 1,900 bands in Austin, it's pretty easy to hear just about anything at South by Southwest. I caught about six shows on my first evening in town, and I can now tell ...