#1
Posted: 8/19/08 at 12:32pm
Seeing a show at Pittsburgh CLO has always been something that I've wanted to do for many years. PCLO has such a fantastic reputation and I've had friends that have worked their throughout the years. So, I got myself on a plane this weekend and saw the final performance of "West Side Story" on Sunday afternoon. To say that I enjoyed the show, is a vast understatement.
First off - Max's Von Essen's voice. He stopped the show when he sang "Maria." When he hit that end note, and the scene went on, the orchestra kept playing, the scenery was coming in for the next scene, but the applause wouldn't stop. The orchestra had to vamp a little bit, until the applause died down so the scene could continue. He was fantastic! His phrasing, clarity and diction was perfect.
His Tony was so naive, with such a wide eyed innocence of his love for Maria, played by Ali Ewoldt. Tony really thought that their relationship was going to work out. And, of course, it doesn't. Ali was wonderful. The 2 of them had such a wonderful chemistry together. Especially in thier "One Hand/One Heart" number. There was such a sense of doom, - keeping their love a secret, yet you really thought, that Tony and Maria thought, that it was going to work.
Each and every single person in the entire company was SPOT ON.
Everyone was consistent in their characters. The dancing ensemble did every show of the summer season....."Peter Pan," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Mame." To be that dedicated to your craft, is truly something. That's HARD, HARD, HARD work. The leads for every show are brought in. But, the ensemble does the entire summer season.
Manoly Farrell as Anita rocked the house with "America." She is a beautiful woman, and reminded me a little of Vanessa Williams. The almost rape scene of her in Doc's drugstore, was heart wrenching, and very disturbing to watch. She's a fantastic actress. Wilson Mendieta as Bernardo and Spencer Howard as Riff were exceptional, Spencer in particular. When he was on stage, you, literally, couldn't take your eyes off of him. His dancing was so virile, and graceful, at the same time. His "Cool" was unbelievable! The tension between the 2 characters was undeniable.
The "Quintet" that comes at the end of Act 1, was so moving. Each group of people......Tony, Maria, Anita, The Jets and The Sharks are all waiting for "Tonight" - all with different meanings, hopes, expectations, and dreams. The blending of the voices gave me goose bumps. Yes, I know that sounds soooooo cliched. But, it's completely true. Ha, ha....
The fight scene at the end of Act 1, really showcased what wonderful actors, Max, Wilson and Spencer are. Bernardo stabs Riff. Bernardo is so shocked and suprised by what he did - he didn't want that to happen. Seeing that his best friend has just died, Tony stabs Bernardo. Again, not knowing what he just did, Tony flees to the arms of Maria. It was so compelling....so edge-of-your-seat-energy. When 2 major characters of a musical die at the end of Act 1, it's almost mind boggling.
Not sure if casting is complete for the forthcoming Broadway revival or not. Let's hope that the producers of WSS,
look to the Pittsburgh CLO cast for the rest of their casting.
Thanks to the entire company for a wonderful day at the theatre!
First off - Max's Von Essen's voice. He stopped the show when he sang "Maria." When he hit that end note, and the scene went on, the orchestra kept playing, the scenery was coming in for the next scene, but the applause wouldn't stop. The orchestra had to vamp a little bit, until the applause died down so the scene could continue. He was fantastic! His phrasing, clarity and diction was perfect.
His Tony was so naive, with such a wide eyed innocence of his love for Maria, played by Ali Ewoldt. Tony really thought that their relationship was going to work out. And, of course, it doesn't. Ali was wonderful. The 2 of them had such a wonderful chemistry together. Especially in thier "One Hand/One Heart" number. There was such a sense of doom, - keeping their love a secret, yet you really thought, that Tony and Maria thought, that it was going to work.
Each and every single person in the entire company was SPOT ON.
Everyone was consistent in their characters. The dancing ensemble did every show of the summer season....."Peter Pan," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Mame." To be that dedicated to your craft, is truly something. That's HARD, HARD, HARD work. The leads for every show are brought in. But, the ensemble does the entire summer season.
Manoly Farrell as Anita rocked the house with "America." She is a beautiful woman, and reminded me a little of Vanessa Williams. The almost rape scene of her in Doc's drugstore, was heart wrenching, and very disturbing to watch. She's a fantastic actress. Wilson Mendieta as Bernardo and Spencer Howard as Riff were exceptional, Spencer in particular. When he was on stage, you, literally, couldn't take your eyes off of him. His dancing was so virile, and graceful, at the same time. His "Cool" was unbelievable! The tension between the 2 characters was undeniable.
The "Quintet" that comes at the end of Act 1, was so moving. Each group of people......Tony, Maria, Anita, The Jets and The Sharks are all waiting for "Tonight" - all with different meanings, hopes, expectations, and dreams. The blending of the voices gave me goose bumps. Yes, I know that sounds soooooo cliched. But, it's completely true. Ha, ha....
The fight scene at the end of Act 1, really showcased what wonderful actors, Max, Wilson and Spencer are. Bernardo stabs Riff. Bernardo is so shocked and suprised by what he did - he didn't want that to happen. Seeing that his best friend has just died, Tony stabs Bernardo. Again, not knowing what he just did, Tony flees to the arms of Maria. It was so compelling....so edge-of-your-seat-energy. When 2 major characters of a musical die at the end of Act 1, it's almost mind boggling.
Not sure if casting is complete for the forthcoming Broadway revival or not. Let's hope that the producers of WSS,
look to the Pittsburgh CLO cast for the rest of their casting.
Thanks to the entire company for a wonderful day at the theatre!
Updated On: 8/19/08 at 12:32 PM
