Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
#1Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 2:54pmI had great luck last night at the West Side Story lottery. A friend and I were able to purchase AA 101 and 102. What a wonderful evening. I've read what others have written about Matt Cavenaugh ...but I had no problem with his voice. Karen gave an amazing performance as Anita. I had read what people had posted about Anita being a dancer's role. Whatever she was lacking in her extension during "America" was more than made up for me when I saw what she gave during the "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" scene. I'm looking forward to going back and taking the show in from a different vantage point.
#2re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 2:58pmI felt the same way when I saw it for the first time. The second viewing was a bit painful.
#2re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 2:59pmI'm glad you had a good time! What did you think of Josephina?
AntonEgo
Featured Actor Joined: 10/23/07
#3re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:41pmHow many people were at the lottery when you won? I didn't realize WSS had a Monday show.
#4re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:42pmonce they upon they won't have a monday show, but for now, they have a Monday but no Sunday
#5re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:59pm
I found it so interesting listening to audience comments at intermission. One woman was saying how she was "incredibly disappointed" and I though to myself...am I in the same show? Her friend was saying something about how she was actually enjoying the show, but was much less a "purist" when it comes to the movie. I'm still not really sure what she meant by that.
A few thoughts:
1.) I would have been more frustrated with the Spanish if I had never seen the movie. If I had not seen the movie or heard the lyrics to "I Feel Pretty" I would have been lost. For the most part, it seemed natural that when the Spanish speaking characters where speaking to each other, that they would speak in Spanish. The exception to this was during "A Boy Like That...which was all in spanish, and then switching to englsh for "I have a Love". I'm glad that this was sung in English, because it was so powerful. It kind of doesn't make sense though.
2.) I do not agree that some of the Jets were lacking in masculinity.
3.) Josephina has one of the most beautiful sopranos that I have ever heard. I was totally mesmirized during "One Hand, One Heart". I just got chills thinking about it. It was like an out of body experience. I sort of forgot where I was...sounds corny I know. It's probably because I was sitting so close.
4.) From wheere I sat, Matt was believable and I did see his chemistry with Josephina. His reaction though to Doc's news in act 2 was a bit below the level of acting though that we had seen from Karen and Josephina at that point.
This is one of those pieces where each time I experience it some crazy part of me has an absurd thought that "maybe this time things will turn out differently". The other show where I have thought this before was in "A Streetcar Named Desire". You know...you can't help thinking...maybe Anita will somehow be able to get donwstairs to give Maria's message to Tony. I know, it's silly.
I agree with the poster on another thread who made a comment about the "Somewhere Ballet Sequence". It was absolutely gorgeous. This is one of the part of the play that the movie had not prepared me for...and I loved it.
#6re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:04pm
I'm glad you loved it! 
I had the same reaction when I saw it in previews in DC. Although, I will admit, I have never seen the movie all the way through. I just can't do it for some reason. I saw a crappy regional/student production twice this past summer (since my friend was in it) and I was really not expecting what I saw. I know it is easier to understand "I Have A Love" now thats its back in English, but it was GORGEOUS in Spanish. Thats one of the songs I wish they had kept in Spanish, but, I understand their reasoning for changing it back to English.
I also agree about Josefina. I really hope she gets a Tony nom. she is so pure and perfect for the part of Maria, imo
but yeah, I'm really glad you enjoyed it and congrats on winning!
#7re: Finally Had Luck at a Lottery (WSS)
Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:29pm
OK . . . I saw the Wed Feb 25 preview . . . and I wanted my money back . . . at least SOME of my money back! Don't get me wrong, I love love LOVE West Side Story but I was disappointed in a few things, but not everything.
I was so excited to see the scene at the dance, the opening sequence, the fight sequence-basically everything! I'm such a huge fan of hte show, i was a bit disappointed, and I know I wasn't the only one that night.
First off, Karen was the best part of the entire show. She was stunning, beautiful and the scene in Doc's store at the end made me cry. It did. I had that huge lump in your chest/throat because I was so moved with the injustice. The dream ballet also made me tear, especially with the promise Obama brings to America. It made me sad (yet hopeful) that 50 years later there is still racism, but there is still hope we will progress as a society.
As for the leads, Tony & Maria . . . I wish Tony was dressed in a costume that DIDN'T make him look like the gay guy who made my starbucks that afternoon. Also, he was pretty, and talented, but maybe not the best choice, especially with the Maria he had. I thought the Maria was absolutlely stunning (she's beyond beautiful) but I thought she was a really bad actress. She wasn't centered in her voice when speaking, and her pain and turmoil seemed really superficial (I'm a voice teacher, I can hear the difference) and I had NO PITY for her at the end, when I usually cry my eyes out at the end of the movie.
I found it was really hard to feel the love between Tony & Maria because they were making out all the time and bashing microphones. I began to question if the director chose to have them continuously make out because he realized later that her acting skills weren't as great as her singing. The LACK of chemistry made me want my money back.
When we were leaving the theatre I overheard a bunch of people talking about the production and everyone was generally disappointed with Tony & Maria, thinking she was pretty or boring.
I hope everyone's experiences were better, and I'm thinking wiht more practice the show can grow into something better.
The set was beautiful though! I gasped when the bridge descended before the fight scene . . . I know, I'm a nerd.
I just thought it could've been better, and I hope it growns into what it SHOULD be.
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