What is Riff in West Side Story?
Riff is the second leader of the West Side Street Gang known as the Jets. He is the tritagonist villain in the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, as well as its 1961 film adaptation. The musical is the modernized version of Romeo and Juliet, of which Riff is the equivalent of Mercutio.
Is Riff a main character in West Side Story?
Riff is a important side character in West Side Story His character is based on Mercutio from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Who plays Riff in the new West Side Story?
He’s simply transcendent. Mike Faist might not win an Oscar for West Side Story, but his Riff is officially one of the great movie musical performances of all time.
What is Riffs last name in West Side Story?
Did you know that… Irving Shulman wrote the novelization of Arthur Laurents’ “book” in which he provided family names for the characters: Tony (Anton) Wyzek, Maria (and Bernardo) Nunez, Riff Lorton, Chino Martin, Anita Palacio, and (now it can be told) Glad Hand was “christened” Murray Benowitz!
What age is Mike Faist?
30 years (January 5, 1992)Mike Faist / Age
Is Riff from West Side Story still alive?
The answer is yes. Riff, the leader of the Jets and Tony’s best friend, is the first character to die in West Side Story after he’s stabbed to death by Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, Maria’s older brother and Anita’s boyfriend. Riff dies in the middle of a musical after a fight between the Jets and the Sharks.
Is Tony the leader of the Jets?
The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang’s leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in musical theatre.
What does Riff mean in music?
Definition of riff (Entry 1 of 3) 1 : an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation also : a piece based on such a phrase. 2 : a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring especially : one that is part of a comic performance.
How old is Jeremy Jordan?
37 years (November 20, 1984)Jeremy Jordan / Age
Why isn’t Mike Faist in the Dear Evan Hansen movie?
Mike Faist plated Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen for over a year on Broadway, which allowed him to return to the role time and time again. But the window of opportunity in film is different, with the Tony-nominated actor learning to let go throughout filming West Side Story.
How old is George Chakiris?
87 years (September 16, 1934)George Chakiris / Age
What nationality is George Chakiris?
AmericanGeorge Chakiris / Nationality
What does riff mean in West Side Story?
in: Riff. “We fought hard for this turf, and we ain’t jus’ gonna give it up!”. Riff (Russ Tamblyn) is the leader and co-founder of the Jets. His character is based on Mercutio from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and like Mercutio in Shakespeare’s play, is the first one to die in West Side Story.
What is the best thing about West Side Story?
West Side Story is his 14th screen credit but his first major film role, and it’s a true breakout performance: Alongside Ariana DeBose’s Anita, Faist’s Riff has been spotlighted as one of the best things about the new film, the personification of Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner’s more historically grounded take on the material.
Who is John Mulaney’s riff in ‘West Side Story’?
From the very first trailers for Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, one character popped off the screen — the scraggly John Mulaney lookalike playing Riff, leader of the Jets. Without taking anything away from Russ Tamblyn’s jovial performance in the 1961 film, this new Riff is something different.
What is the name of the bad guy in West Side Story?
Riff is the main antagonist of West Side Story, being the leader of the Jets gang. The gang rivals the Sharks, a Puerto-Rican gang, because of their anti-immigration stance.