Max von Essen Plays Tony in WSS (CLO)

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:26am

Yes, he plays Tony in Pittsburgh CLO's production of West Side Story opposite Ali Ewoldt as Maria. Ali recently played Cosette in the revival of Les Miserables on Broadway.

:)

I hope that didn't confuse the upcoming Broadway revival fans. Now's your chance to see his style of Tony.




PBOL Photo Call - CLO West Side Story

Updated On: 8/13/08 at 12:26 AM

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:09am

I'm really excited to see this on Saturday! Those pictures are stunning.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:29am

Dear Pittsburgh CLO:

Learn how to color correct your photos without using auto-correct!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:42am

Yeah. The quality makes them look like pictures from the original production.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:55am

A friend of mine played Anybodys in this production! I wish I could have seen it!

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 7:18am

I'm seeing this tonight. I'll be sure to post my review here, most likely tomorrow morning.
Updated On: 8/13/08 at 07:18 AM

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:55am

I'm flying out to Pittsburgh on Saturday morning, and seeing the closing matinee performance. Really, really looking forward to seeing the show. I'll post my review here.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:56pm

THAT is how a Tony and Maria should look like, not Matt Cavenaugh. No offense to Matt, he just seems too old, and not the right type.

And it's a Les Miz reunion!

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:20pm

Max is older than Matt.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:25pm

Some of those Jets are wearing American Apparel.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:29pm

Max looks too old also ... like he's robbing the cradle.

[delucad15]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:33pm

Seeing it tonight, ill post my review after

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 3:11pm

OMG- who really cares! I've seen Max in a bunch of things, and I think he's rather generic, nice voice, but that's where the buck stops.
Also Max is definitely way older than Matt- by like 5 or 6 years.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:08pm

Max is very talented, and far from generic. Not exactly how old Max or Matt are. Does it really matter?

[jennyish]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 6:48pm

I would love to see this. Ali seems like she'd make a GREAT Maria.

[Trish2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:58pm

I know this guy has a nice voice, but from those pics he looks like a singing waiter. All wrong.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 10:04pm

HAHAHAHA!!!

[jennyish]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 10:29pm

I was vastly underwhelmed by his performance in Les Mis. Doubt he'd make a great Tony, but you never know . . .

[delucad15]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 12:25am

Max was very good as Tony, I didnt think he seemed older than the other Jets at all. I'd never seen it before and he made a great first impression on me as Tony

Ali Ewoldt was probably the best i have to say. She has such a beautiful voice, its a shame she doesnt do more on broadway. They both had very good chemistry

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:30am

I have to agree with delucad15, 100%. Both Max and Ali were fantastic as Tony and Maria, respectively. It was my first time seeing the show on stage. I had seen maybe the second half of the film on TV, and then watched it in a music class in 7th grade, but everyone talked, so I missed a few things.

Also, Manoly Farrell was amazing as Anita. She acted her near-rape scene perfectly. The entire cast was fantastic, really. If you have a chance to see this production, see it.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 1:19pm

Sounds like a great production! After I see it on Sunday, I'll post a review.

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 8/15/08 at 2:12am

I saw the ensemble of West Side Story rock it out tonight at the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret. I was at a performance of Shear Madness tonight (I have my tickets for West Side on Saturday) and the ensemble was fantastic! They work so hard all summer and it's nice to see them have a chance to shine. From the looks of it all the cast members were in the house and the place was PACKED! I've never seen the cabaret theatre so crowded before. Once I see the show on Saturday night I'll post of review.

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 11:50pm

Just got back from seeing the show tonight. Overall, I thought the production was stunning. It was one of the best CLO shows that I have ever seen. The set was marvelous, the lighting was beautiful and the performances were wonderful. They were having a bit of a sound problem tonight but it only showed up in a couple places so it really didn't bother me too much.

Max von Essen was a wonderful Tony. Vocally, his voice soared with the score and I never wanted him to stop singing. I loved his acting choices, especially in "Maria", the big rumble and the final scene. Personally, I don't think he stood out as being that much older than the others, though my friend thought he did look a tad old. His chemistry with Ali Ewoldt was very good and I believed them as a couple.

Ali Ewoldt was a fine Maria. I loved her acting very much, especially in "One Hand, One Heart", "A Boy Like That/I Have Love" and the final scene. I had a problem with her singing sometimes, though. She was very quiet and it was very hard to hear her, especially when she was singing with Tony or Anita.

I really loved Manoly Farrell as Anita. She had a lot of fire and spunk, yet was beautiful in "A Boy Like That/I Have Love" with Maria and heartbreaking when Anita was at Doc's trying to deliver Maria's message. I also loved Wilson Mendieta as Bernardo and Spencer Howard as Riff. Special shout out to the ensemble who always impress me at the Pittsburgh CLO.

[bwayboi4life42]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 12:25am

I saw von Essen when he did Tony at TUTS in Houston. Then, I thought he was superb vocally, although I thought his acting left something to be desired. However, I felt that way with the acting of the ensemble as a whole. The chemistry wasn't there between him and Maria (then played by Stephanie Iannarino) and his performance overall felt flat.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed him, though. His voice is powerful.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 10:00pm

I saw the final performance of WWS on Sunday, and it was fantastic! The entire cast was flawless. Max stopped the show when he sang "Maria." His phrasing, clarity and diction were remarkable.

Completely agree with the earlier poster about Spencer Howard as Riff. He was amazing! Such talent, such grace and virility at the same time. "Cool" was a standout number!