Ryan, not to fear about understudies. I saw Joe as Freddy. Now, of course I love Norbie and knew the show so well that I was able to notice the slight differences(he didn't slide down stairs, some diff. steps, etc) but Joe was still great! I was w/ friends who saw it for the first time and loved him. I've also heard great things about him going on for Andre.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli