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.