Monday, April 11, 2022

Tony: Lil' Romeo


Tony: A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now that doesn't involve gangs. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an unfortunate death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.


Richard Beymer
Film, 1961


Beymer wasn't happy with his performance as Tony. He thought he was miscast: he was from a farm in Indiana and had no street sense whatsoever. He needed a lot of direction and didn't get it; they just stuck fake teeth in his mouth instead. The other thing that upset him was that Natalie Wood despised him. She had a "shit list" on her dressing room wall – and Richard's name was top. I asked her why her Romeo was on it and she said: "I just don't like him
Russ Tamblyn

Elgort

Ansel Elgort
Film, 2021


'I relate to Tony because I'm from New York City.  I love walking around the streets, I love hanging out with my friends, playing basketball or climbing on things. Just enjoying that New York City pedestrian life.'
Ansel Elgort

Kert

Larry Kert
Original Broadway Production
Winter Garden Theatre (Sep 26, 1957 - Feb 28, 1959) 
Broadway Theatre (Mar 02, 1959 - May 10, 1959) 
Winter Garden Theatre (May 11, 1959 - Jun 27, 1959)

McKay

Don McKay
London West End
Dec 12, 1958, - June 1961
Broadway 
 City Center (Apr 08, 1964 - May 03, 1964)

McKay with George Chakiris as Riff (West End) 

Marshall

Ken Marshall
Broadway Revival
Minskoff Theatre (Feb 14, 1980 - Nov 30, 1980)

Cavenaugh

Matt Cavenaugh
Broadway Revival
Palace Theatre (Mar 19, 2009 - Jan 02, 2011)


Although I love me some Matt Cavenaugh, I think my favorite Tony has to be Richard Beymer.  I also have to give a special shout out to Ansel Elgort.  I was not a fan of the casting, and still think Elgort was miscast, but... was pleasantly surprised that he pulled it off.


Powell 
 
Isaac Powell
Broadway Revival
Broadway Theatre (Feb 20, 2020 - Mar 11, 2020)


 

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