WEST SIDE STORY Reviews.... — Page 2

I promised myself I would stay out of this, but here goes.

Last night was my third outing to the show, which I enjoyed every time. I don't understand all the words, but Hoy me siento still gave me goosebumps.

That said, Laurents is in a lose-lose situation with the Spanish at this point. As I said, I don't mind it--but I have a big bias. I'm an avid listener to classical music, and I don't understand all the deutch and latin that I listen to, just get the gist. That's fine by me, but I also know that I can't impose my personel taste on other listeners. There must be subtitles either above or behind the performers. I didn't mind the subtitles the first time, just found them distracting by their placement (to the sides). By excluding audience members who want to understand what is being said, the production is excluding potential costumers, which is not a good idea in these times. The article from the Washington Post posted by Yero implies that Arthur is doing away with translations for good. I hope he reconsiders--regardless of opinions on the revival, I do think the inclusion of the Spanish is Laurents' most heartfelt change.

I also hope they do something about hair and costumes. I didn't mind the costumes so much the second time. This is because the blue lighting masks just how purple the Shark outfits are from a distance. But last night I was fourth row and the purples and pastels were borderline visually offensive. I get that Laurents might be going for a "timeless" look, the problem is that the language of the book firmly roots the play in the viewers' minds to a certain time period. If he had changed some of the vernacular he might have gotten away with it, but he didn't. It may be too late to recast (I disagree strongly that recasting is order), but it CAN'T be too late for costume and hair. It should be a minor point but it's gotten so much negative press that it's distracting from the production's positive potential, which I feel is otherwise high. It's urban NY, I don't think anyone is expecting extravagent outfits, but stuff that is borderline visually offensive won't work.

ETA: overall last night I felt the audience reaction was very positive, much more so than the second night I went, 12/29. But caution is advised, as I think since it was opening night lots of friends and family were in attedance.

Updated On: 1/8/09 at 01:32 PM

I don't speak Spanish but you basically get the gist of whats going on within the emotional storyline. Yah, you'll miss a few jokes but I think Laurents is playing up the tragedy of the play and not make it the "fun lovable musical" we all think back to (especially when I think of the movie).

Personally I didn't mind the costumes but I think I'm the only one.

And when I went, the people around me loved it so I was really surprised there's so much negativity going around the boards. (I get some of the small stuff, and I'm glad they got rid of the projections but while I've only seen clips of the old 80's production, I think this one is far better (save for Tony)).

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Frankly, I don't think the reviews are going to criticize the show for the things that posters here have objected to.

And I think the Spanish is going to end up being viewed as a success, despite the things that posters here have been objecting to.

I predict that, despite its flaws, the revival will be a critical success.

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I agree with you Joey, most critics know the story and will be probably be impressed with the language change.
The acting and pacing are another thing though.

Unfortunately, the audience the night I was there didn't take the Spanish that well. The little bits placed strategically not to remove understanding from the audience worked really well. However, the audience seemed to drift away mentally from the show when extended conversations were done in Spanish. I think getting rid of the Spanish would be a mistake, but some changes would likely improve audience reaction.

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I remember well seeing South Pacific during previews and loving it. Then, I read a ton of bullcrap comments here about how horrendous the show was. The production ended up winning 7 Tony Awards including one for the guy who was sloughed off here for having no chemistry, no electricity, no personality.

Deja vu all over again -- I saw West Side in DC and liked it. Then, I read all the comments here (by some people who actually admitted they had never seen the show!) about how bad Matt is, how bad Cody is, how bad the costumes, the set, the ensemble, the orchestration are...

You people are way too much to believe.

Baltimore Sun seems very positive

This production could move exactly as it is to the Great White Way tomorrow and be a success. If Laurents and his collaborators can fix a few problems in the second act, there will be no stopping it. West Side Story might well be Broadway's next big hit, and the mesmerizing Karen Olivo, who plays Anita, could be its next big star.

They note problems with the Spanish in the second act, and with some of the chemistry.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-westside0109,0,276177.story


Looks like PalJoey's assumption will be right, about this being a critical success.

Why the silence?

lol, I am sure no one cares. This thread had 2 pages bitching and complaining about the production, and now that it's getting positive reviews, people are unusually quiet.

Updated On: 1/8/09 at 07:33 PM

I'll start.

Yay!

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You totally called this one, PJ. They don't want to kick the 90-year-old pit bull.

And I'm guessing they also are probably mindful of the current economic climate. If they "kill" this show, they'll be staring at another lonely stretch of darkened side street on Broadway.

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Let's wait and see what Peter Marks has to say in The Post, Gary McMillan in DC Theatre Scene, Brad Hathaway in Potomac Stages, Trey Graham in the City Paper, Patrick Folliard in the Washigton Blade, and Tom Avila in Metro Weekly. More reviews to come.
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Updated On: 1/8/09 at 08:08 PM