Okay saw Harvey today, also saw Molina so this might be more of a comparison of the two but I'll offer up thoughts on him as well as other stuff:
I, too, never saw him live so it was interesting. It took some time getting used to the speaking voice, but once I got there, it wasn't too bad. He had more of the Jewish pronounciation down better than Molina, more of the chets and such. Both times I went with my aunt and uncle who are hard of hearing so always sit near the front. For Molina, we sat first row dead center, this time we were third row right, slightly obstructed. But it was good for feeling part of the show and seeing facial expressions. It showed that Molina and Fierstien had very different takes on the roles-Molina's was more dramatic while Fierstien's was more comedic, both of which work for the character. I even appreciated seeing some of the faces Fierstein was making. Both moved, well I don't cry easily, but my family were very moved by each, and it was really interesting to see the difference in even certain scenes like when he deowns Chava, Molina did it in a more angry, screaming way while Fierstein did it in a more sad, crying way. Both worked and really conveyed the emotion. Now I would say Fierstein was slightly better because he was a bit better at working the jokes and making the character warm and making you care if not for one thing...the singing. Now some of the ones I was more worried about he wasn't terrible...Sunrise, Sunset and Chavala he sang very low-key and it was decent. Some of the others....oy. The croacking during man...oy. I say it's a draw between the two, both are good in their own ways, but I'm very glad I got to experience both and would recommend either performance.
Andrea Martin I thought was great and just brought so much more to her role than Randy Graff did.
As for John...I'm kind of mixed on him. When I first saw it, I thought it was amusing at first, but it just went on too long. This time he seemed to take it down a notch and I enjoyed it more. I can't explain why I did.
And the new Perchick...gotta check his name...was really cute.
As for Nancy Opel and Yente...I dunno I see both sides where the role could be better played or it could just be a hard role. I think I liked the way it was done in the movie but maybe it's a different feel on stage. I think Nancy did an adequate job.
And once more the best part of the show and the person who I thought was most amazing was...the clarinet soloist! WHAT a beautiful sound and difficult solo that is. Such great vibratto...too bad I was on the other side and the dancers w/ hats blocked the view of the clarinetist at times. Oh well. I screamed for the pit a lot it was fun.
"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
