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West Side Story

Average rating:

3.9

572 of 712(80%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

West Side Story Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

5 / 5

Best show I've ever seen.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Sep 6, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The Rumble - just wait, it's stunning visually. Also the Ballet (Somewhere)...gorgeous. @

Posted 09/07/2009

by Sarahrah

Location: NY

Featured Review

I can't even begin to describe to you the incredible experience that was West Side Story. Now - I may be slightly biased in that WSS is my all time favorite show, but this production was STUNNING. All of the visual aspects were impeccably thought out and executed. The cast was really wonderful. I saw the show with a lot of the understudies playing - and they were fabulous. Tony (Matthew Hydzik) was in it every moment of the show. Not one time did I doubt he was Tony, in love with Maria, and in a dreamworld all his own. The Jets, especially A-Rab (Brendon Stimson) were great, full of energy, and fantastic dancers. The choreography for the show was very traditional for what you would think of for WSS, but absolutely beautifully executed in every way.

If you want me to be critical, I can, but it would be nothing that I'm not seeing in all Broadway shows these days - issues with actors projecting, etc. So I will not harp on that. The adults were also fairly mediocre. Standout performances: Tony (Matthew Hydzik), A-Rab (Brendon Stimson), and, of course, Anita (Karen Olivo).

I could go on about the scenic (James Youmans), lights (Howell Binkley), and costumes (David C. Woolard) for days - but I doubt people reading this review are interested in that. Let me just say in short - the integration of all three was fantastic. The concept of the set was perfect, very beautiful - everything down to the last comic book in Doc's was fantastic. The lighting - absolutely gorgeous. There were times when - well, take the balcony scene for example. They are SL and the stage is hazy so every beam of light is part of the visual picture. the rest of the stage around them is dark, and then there is a light shining through the portal (which on top has cutouts that with a light shining through...amazing) and from all the way SR there is a light shining making this STUNNING beam all the way to Maria's balcony. What a beautiful scene.

Then the costumes - the colors and small connections between each character were so exciting and inspiring. And that hankerchief.... But lots of little things - the blue on Maria's dress and Tony's shirt at the dance, the girl at the dance with the orange and green and the Jet she was dancing with - how they matched beautifully - a lot of small things like that, helping to make connections in your mind. AND then - the ballet. You have to see it. But PERFECT.

Okay. So - see this show. That is all I can say. It will be the experience of a lifetime. If you know the show, you will love every minute. And if you know someone who knows NOTHING about WSS, this show will change their lives, I promise.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Sep 6, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The Rumble - just wait, it's stunning visually. Also the Ballet (Somewhere)...gorgeous. @

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Review 2 for West Side Story

5 / 5

West Side Story was amazing!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the fighting scene @

Posted 11/19/2009

by BronxLegacy

Location: New York, NY

Very well done show. Actors were great. Song and dance sequences were unforgettable.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the fighting scene @

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Review 3 for West Side Story

2 / 5

All in Spanish, really?

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Sep 5, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The scene with Tony and Maria in the seamstress shop. @

Posted 11/19/2009

by GoldenGatte

Did not enjoy the "Im so pretty" section all in Spanish. It should have been bilingual in its presentation. In addition, the ending should have mirrored the movies ending. The way the Broadway show ended, it presented a picture that there was no hope in the gangs ever seeing eye to eye. In the movie, both sides assisted in carrying Tony's body out. It was hard to clap at the results that happened, knowing Tony died in vain. And, the movie version of "America" was better with it guys vs gals. The one stand alone girl who wanted to go back to Puerto Rico didnt make any sense.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Sep 5, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The scene with Tony and Maria in the seamstress shop. @

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Review 4 for West Side Story

4 / 5

The lead male singer was amazing!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tony singing "Maria". Very touching and moving. @

Posted 11/19/2009

by darkangel1079

This was a very memorable show. The dancing was great and the singing was truly remarkable. I did not give it 5 stars because there seemed to be some vague acoustic problem in dialogues so it was slightly hard to understand what was being said in some parts. Nevertheless, it is all forgotten when the singing and dancing kicks in. Great show.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tony singing "Maria". Very touching and moving. @

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Review 5 for West Side Story

3 / 5

No magic, does not belong into a Broadway theater

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Anonymous

Wonderful dancing performance, but the musical and scenical interpretation are questionable. Voices are not mature, many scenes are acted in a way which is too blunt and obvious, nothing is suggested. Would be a good show elsewhere, but not on Broadway. Class and magic are totally lacking.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

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Review 6 for West Side Story

4 / 5

Senoritas Steal the Show

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Favorite moment: America! @

Posted 11/17/2009

by cardinalthecolor

Location: Palo Alto, CA

The women of West Side Story steal the show. Both the female leads were beyond my high expectations.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Favorite moment: America! @

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Review 7 for West Side Story

3 / 5

Good, but not as good as expected

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Posted 11/17/2009

by BroadwayChristy

Best performance given to Karen Olivo as Anita. It was a definite good show, but I expected better. Some of the song sequences sounded garbled and you couldn't understand what was being said. Other than that, pretty good show.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

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Review 8 for West Side Story

5 / 5

West Side Story

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The I feel pretty scene @

Posted 11/17/2009

by widowmarsh

Location: Broadway

I went to a Sunday afternoon performance. There were many understudies, but they were fabulous1 I took my daughter and it was a magical experience.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The I feel pretty scene @

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Review 9 for West Side Story

3 / 5

West Side Story - Something Missing

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anita and Maria's duet, "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love". Bravo!! @

Posted 11/16/2009

by 600vbus

Location: Long Island

The music and score of West Side Story hold such wonderful memories for me that perhaps my expectations for this production were unattainable. I spoke with several theatergoers and we agreed that Matt Cavenaugh as Tony was lacking. His voice, his inflection and his manner were weak. Anita was a showstopper and Maria was very good. I thought the intermission was misplaced, coming after the tragic rumble scene rather than after the rousing company medley "Tonight (quintet)". "Somewhere" was overdone with corny symbolism. The music and dance was generally very good and the show was enjoyable if somewhat disappointing. I guess I was expecting too much.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anita and Maria's duet, "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love". Bravo!! @

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Review 10 for West Side Story

4 / 5

Really good revival of a classic

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The girls singing I Feel Pretty @

Posted 11/16/2009

by musiclab

Location: southern Minnesota

The acting and singing was great. The songs are memorable. Fantastic version of a great classic. My only complaint is it's sad, but we all know that. Overall, very good.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The girls singing I Feel Pretty @

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Review 11 for West Side Story

5 / 5

West Side Story

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Loved the "Tonight" sung by Maria, Tony the Sharks and Jets just before the intermission. @

Posted 11/16/2009

by ACCM

Location: NJ

West Side Story was fantastic! After watching the movie for years it was great to see the amazing dance numbers and hear the unforgetable songs from 3rd row seats! This was a wonderful production I will never forget!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Loved the "Tonight" sung by Maria, Tony the Sharks and Jets just before the intermission. @

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Review 12 for West Side Story

2 / 5

West Side Story was disappointing.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the curtain goes up to the bridge. @

Posted 11/16/2009

by madforbroadway

A high school show cannot achieve the staging of a Broadway show, but I have still seen better high school shows than this one. The energy was barely there, and while the voices were good, they weren't amazingly good. One annoying thing to me was ALL the pregnant pauses in the show. That is something every good actor knows to avoid. In this show, those pauses happened over and over again! There is more. Shortly after Maria learns that her brother has been killed, she is on the stage singing joyously and prancing about like nothing has happened! And the killer was when some child with no identity or voice suddenly appears on the stage and is singing! The best thing about this show was Anita and the bridge. That bridge was awsome on the stage. It was the only thing awesome about the show.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the curtain goes up to the bridge. @

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Review 13 for West Side Story

2 / 5

Decent college play at Broadway prices

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: None. @

Posted 11/16/2009

by Anonymous

Location: New Jersey

This version is not Broadway quality at any level from any perspective be that orchestral, song, or acting.. It's just not good enough when served up by a cast in majority comprised of understudies (both female leads, Anita and Maria, as well as others in the same show). Those many tourists who see this play won't understand what Broadway magic is but will be convinced they've experienced a bit of real New York slight of hand.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: None. @

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Review 14 for West Side Story

1 / 5

Very disappointed with West Side Story

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anita's performance throughout! @

Posted 11/16/2009

by eclectagirl

Perhaps i saw this show on the wrong day, because it did not resemble the show that had received accolades in print. The part of Maria was performed by someone with no acting ability, although she had a beautiful voice. She was awkward and had no stage presence whatsoever. At times I actually cringed during her performance. Her relationship with Tony was unconvincing, as there was no chemistry between them whatsoever.

There was a ridiculous scene added to accomodate the song "Somewhere", which was an amateurish attempt at presenting a perfect world. The dancing was great - but there was no magic in this show. Better off watcing the movie on DVD.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anita's performance throughout! @

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Review 15 for West Side Story

5 / 5

West Side Story was fabulous!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the young boy sang "There's Place for Us" @

Posted 11/16/2009

by LeaseG

Location: Boston, MA

This show was great. We were in the third row, which was awesome. The dancing was incredible, the singing was incredible. "There's a Place for Us" was sung by a young boy who actually made me cry, his voice was so beautiful! The scenery as great as well. A top notch show with top notch actors. I'd highly recommend it and I'd see it again myself! 90% of the cast signed autographs after the show and all of them were so friendly. Love it!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the young boy sang "There's Place for Us" @

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Review 16 for West Side Story

5 / 5

The Best Ever

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tony and Maria singing "Somewhere" @

Posted 11/16/2009

by Giftedhands

Location: New York

This is my favorite musical of all times. The songs are unforgettably beautiful and timeless. I could never get too much of West Side Story.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tony and Maria singing "Somewhere" @

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Review 17 for West Side Story

2 / 5

Slow

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The scenes with Anita. @

Posted 11/16/2009

by Kapara

Location: Long Island

The show was not as entertaining as I expected it to be. Some of the scenes were really good and some were boring and slow. The actress who played Anita was the best, Maria was also good.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The scenes with Anita. @

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Review 18 for West Side Story

3 / 5

West Side Story

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the Shark ladies were excellent; when they had the stage it was wonderful @

Posted 11/16/2009

by lpcsh

Location: LI

I am going give everyone an opportunity I didn't have - before you pay a fortune for tickets, know that a chunk of the dialogue/singing is in Spanish. It is more authentic, of course, but not so great if you don't speak Spanish. One assumes, in the absence of other information, that Broadway shows are in English. Other than that , the show is fun, familiar, though there is a lack of chemistry between characters that is disappointing And there is a child at an odd point in the show that we did not understand - it was distracting

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sun, Nov 15, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the Shark ladies were excellent; when they had the stage it was wonderful @

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Review 19 for West Side Story

1 / 5

West Side Story - What have they done to you?

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: when I left. @

Posted 11/16/2009

by candacewp

Location: Baltimore

Hated it - too long, poorly directed and the leads, Tony and Maria, were amateur. I saw a high school production that was better than this. Not what I expect from Broadway at all. I ended up walking out after 2 hrs and there was still another 40 mins to go! Would have left sooner but I had two friends with me. Tony (Cavenaugh), while very pretty, sang like a cartoon character - I cringed when I knew a song was coming and his acting was styled by Captain Kirk - that phrasing and pausing - completely unrealistic. Maria (Scaglione), while very pretty, acted better than Tony and could hit some high notes but tended to strangle her words like she was copying Cavenaugh. The only reason this production is still going is because of the title. I feel sorry for those that pay such good money to see this. I didn't even want to put one star.

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: when I left. @

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Review 20 for West Side Story

4 / 5

West Side Story - bi-lingual

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

Posted 11/16/2009

by Togar

Location: New York

The play was wonderful, voices great, dancing remarkable. Only thing that ruined this for me is that many of the songs were in Spanish as was some of the dialog. I am bi-lingual, but not in Spanish, so I was upset with the fact there was no warning about this.
Had I known I would have been prepared or would have avoided going. I am one of those Americans who speak English and don't want to spend over $500 and not be able to press "1"!

Palace Theatre New York @

- New York @

,NY @

- Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @

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