West Side Story reviewed Tuesday 14^th July 2009

As soon as the first bars of the music are heard we are transported to New York’s Upper West Side. This musical, based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs; one white, the other Puerto Rican. It is chillingly apt, dealing as it does with the social issues of gang culture and racism. Tony, a reformed member of the Jets falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the rival gang the Sharks. The feud between the gangs escalates and violence and hatred eventually overshadow love and devotion. There is no happy ending here.
Originally created in the 50’s by the combined genius of Leonard Bernstein’s musical score, Stephen Sondheim’s magnificent storytelling lyrics, and Jerome Robbins’s groundbreaking choreography this musical is regarded as the pinnacle of its genre.
Joey McKneely, director and choreographer of this production has been handed one of the best known and loved musicals of all time. No one would thank him if he fiddled around with it too much. And he doesn’t. What he does do is keep the energy of the piece constant throughout so that the story is dynamically driven forward. This is aided greatly by the Paul Gallis’s set, which glides in and out of position without interrupting the flow and energy of the overall production. Add to this the huge backdrop photosof 50's New York, Peter Halbsgut’s atmospheric lighting, and costumes only very slightly adapted from the originals by Renate Schmitzer, and all the elements are all in place for the performers.

It has to said that most of the performances are strong. Most notable though, are the two female leads, Sofia Escobar, as Maria, recently awarded Best Actress in a Musical, has the physical look of a fragile young girl and a voice that can be sweet and light but amazingly strong and powerful at the same time. She was note perfect and her performance of ‘Tonight’, moved many to tears.


Equally strong is Jayde Westaby, who plays the sexy, funny Anita with serious attitude and confidence. She manages the transition to grief-stricken lover after Bernardo’s death and subsequent rape victim with great proficiency. The tragic ending of the story is as much about her as it is about Maria and Tony.

The male leads are convincing generally. Dan Burton as cocky, aggressive Bernardo, matches the strong performance of his counterpoint Westaby, and Ed Post standing in as Riff in this evening’s show was excellent. However, something about Daniel Koek as Riff just did not ring true. Despite having a superb voice and clearly being an experienced and accomplished performer he just did not seem strong enough to be the linchpin of the show.
 
Having said that, the part of Tony is a difficult one. He is the good boy who has escaped the gang, has a job, a sense of responsibility and the foresight to see where continuing violence will take his gang member friends. All this perhaps calls for a more subtle performance than the other male leads and this is possibly the issue.  

The dance scenes continue to be fresh, exciting, sharp and unchanged from the original and the unforgettable songs, Something’s Coming, Maria, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, 'Gee, Officer Krupke' and 'America'  among them are so well known that some of the audience couldn't help but quietly sing along!

This audience clearly loved this production – I have never heard such loud and prolonged clapping in Milton Keynes – and the performers on stage seemed blown away by the audience response. An exhilarating, exciting, passionate evening!

Winner - Best Musical
M.E.N. Awards 2008

Winner - Best Musical Revival
Winner - Best Actress in a Musical
Whatsonstage Awards 2008

2 Olivier Award Nominations 2009
Best Musical Revival
Best Actress in a Musical

West Side Story plays Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 18 July 2009

Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office on 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee) or www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes  (bkg fee)

21^st-25^th July 2009, The Lowry, Salford. Box office 0870
787 5780 (bkg fee) or book online www.thelowry.com (bkg fee)