Broadway’s West Side Story was slated to open in February, but the show’s opening has been delayed while the lead man recovers from a knee injury.
Producer Scott Rudin revealed the news that the show will be postponed from February 6 to 20 to give lead actor Isaac Powell time to recover from an onstage injury. While the exact injury was not disclosed, Powell reportedly hurt his knee during a performance last Friday and was limping by the end of the show. By postponing the opening to let Powell recover, he will be able to “have the same duration of a preview playing period we’ve always had scheduled,” Rudin told Deadline in a statement.
“Luckily he is much braver than me and will be back and playing his full, remarkable show very shortly,” Rudin said.
Rudin’s production began preview performances on December 10 at the Broadway Theatre and the first six previews sold out, already grossing $1,254,440. During the second week, box office sales grew to $1,497,319, surpassing the record set in 2013 for Hammerstein’s Cinderlla at $1,479,890. The show, directed by Ivo van Hove, is re-imagined based on the legendary 1957 musical by Arthur Laurents. Powell plays the lead character Tony. His stand-by Jordan Dobson will fill the role until Powell returns on February 20.
West Side Story delves into a modern day Romeo and Juliet who are involved in harsh street gangs on the Upper West Side of New York City – both battling for control of the turf. However, one of the gang members falls in love with a rival’s sister, complicating sides. The musical has been adapted to a film in 1961 and a new film adaption is set for 2020.
