July 21, 2008

By By Ayala Ben-Yehuda, L.A.

-- "West Side Story" will come to Broadway in a new bilingual version in early 2009, the New York Times reports. Librettist Arthur Laurents, who wrote the original musical, says Spanish will be used in both the spoken and sung words of the revival, to be produced by "In The Heights" producers Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Sellers. Casting will likely be completed by the fall, with a first run of the show at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre from Dec. 16 through Jan. 17. Broadway previews begin Feb. 23.

-- Rock bands Monte Negro, the May Fire and Astra Heights are playing the six-week Circo Rocktastico tour, presented by MTV Tr3s. The tour takes the bands to clubs in the West and Midwest, with one date in Monterrey, Mexico. The bands will hit more than 30 cities, beginning Aug. 6 at San Diego, Calif.'s Beauty Bar, continuing to Los Angeles' Knitting Factory Aug. 7 and Viva Chicago Aug. 22-23, among other stops.

-- SESAC Latina has affiliated two Puerto Rican rock bands, Habitat and Koala, both managed by Black: Guayaba manager Billy Larsen. The performing right society has also recently affiliated Grecco Buratto, a Brazilian guitar player who has backed Enrique Iglesias and is currently on tour with k.d. Lang.

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