| Interesting irony: Smith joined the original production of WSS around June of 58. He replaced Hank Brunjes as Diesel. Like Brunjes, he was also hired to understudy Riff. After Mickey Calin left the show, in late August of 58, Brunjes returned as Riff. Smith continued as his understudy and played the role, several times. Yet when Brunjes left the show, Smith was passed over, and a dancer named Tom Ayre was hired to replace him, and when he left a few monrhs later, Tom Hasson was hired to play Riff. All the while, Smith understudied the role, played it at several performanes and later switched to Big Deal, after Martin Charnin left the show. But he remained Riff's understudy. So here is your irony: in the movie, with Cool now positioned after Riff's death, he gets to lead the Jets in a number that apparently the show's creators, didn't consider him "good enough" to do full time in the play. |
