WEST SIDE STORY first preview reviews!- Page 12

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:26pm

I'm with the folks who think Matt Cavenaugh is terrific in this part. His voice is full-on beautiful, and I think he's totally believable as the former leader of a gang turned good guy.

The dancing is great: how can you not love Jerome Robbins' choreography. The supporting actors are all solid. I could watch Cody Greene dance until 2015 and not be bored. I wouldn't care if the guy didn't say or sing a word.

Are there parts of this production, I would have changed? Sure but whatever. I thought the same about South Pacific, which I also loved, and that joint walked away with seven Tony awards and Brantley calling it "near perfection."

This show, too, will win Best Musical Revival.

Methinks it's time for the never-weres to stop their silly sniping.

[Eleah]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:10pm

Does anyone know if they have standing room?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:13pm

They have a lottery...but as of right now I don't think there is a standing room. There was never a standing room for Legally Blonde.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:23pm

Methinks it's time for the never-weres to stop their silly sniping.

Was that directed at me?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:41pm

I think it was directed at all us "never-weres",
if that's even a word, who disagree with sleeper's opinion.
Some of us expect more, if you liked it, more power to you.
Updated On: 3/3/09 at 09:41 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 10:09pm

OldSchool, we don't know Chino is Bernardo's cousin because he's not. And he doesn't just show up in the last act- he's introduced by name in the first scene at the dress shop and it's made quite clear throughout that he's Bernardo's confidant and intended to marry Maria. Are you sure you know who Chino was?

[Actor 7]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 10:27pm

I read the Orchestra Size for the opening night of Phantom at the Majestic was increased to 39 from the original 30 pieces. I wonder if they plan to do something similar for WEST SIDE STORY? I've noticed a few comments indicating the sound of the orchestra was very good but not as "big" as they expected. Sometimes on the cast recordings they increase the number of string instruments, maybe they will do something similar with the size of the pit orchestra at The Palace. Also, they still have quite a few performances before they have their Opening Night so they must be rehearsing every day. I believe it will get better as they grow into their roles. I've noticed the comments about Matt C. are about even. Some think he's miscast and others think he's great. We will have to judge for ourselves.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:20pm

There is not enough room for more musicians at the Palace for this show.

[marknyc]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:42pm

"Matt's voice is full-on beautiful"

Anyone who thinks that is at least partially deaf.

[Kevn520]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:50pm

Tonight was my first exposure to the entirety of West Side Story. Prior to tonight I had only heard a couple of songs.

I was expecting more. I thought the opening scene as soon as the curtain went up was very awkwardly done. I enjoyed the choreography immensely, and I was surprisingly moved by some of it. Somewhere seemed to not quite make sense for the reasons PalJoey stated earlier in this thread. The ending was rather abrupt, and I got the sense that the audience was unsure of when to clap.

Also, I felt like the orchestra often drowned out the singing, especially Tony's songs. I don't know if that was just me, or amplification of the orchestra, or underamplification of the actors. It just seemed off to me.

Completely unrelated, but why must theaters allow people back to their seats with food or drink? The inconsiderate person next to me chose every quiet moment in Act II to dig into his Twizzlers bag.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:01am

I agree Kevn,
A Beer at ROCK OF AGES
or
A Joint at HAIR
is completely appropriate
But Twizzlers at WEST SIDE STORY
is Wrong.

[Kevn520]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:22am

At least he didn't shake his sippy-cup drink.

[East Village]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 7:39am

"I don't know if that was just me, or amplification of the orchestra, or underamplification of the actors. It just seemed off to me. "

No, its absolutely not just you.

"The ending was rather abrupt, and I got the sense that the audience was unsure of when to clap."

Look, I really liked this production. So much of WSS has been imitated and parodied to the point of camp. That baggage is gone and I felt like I was seeing the show through a fresh set of eyes. On the other hand, how often can you deny an audience's expectations and still have a satisfying performance. I don't think it was just the ending -- I sensed there were many times folks felt a little underwhelmed when it came time for applause. Once in a while, that was a surprise because you were forced to experience the scene from a fresh perspective. But they better do something to get some passion back on stage because right now I fear its playing a little too cool

Updated On: 3/4/09 at 07:39 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 8:12am

COnsidering Kevn has never seen another production, heard one or seen the movie and he still found the WSS ending a bit odd says something I think...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 8:19am

This Never-Were is going tomorrow.

[Oldschool]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 8:43am

Orangeskittles, I stand corrected as to Chino not being Bernardo's cousin; however, Pepe is his lieutenant, so why not Pepe as he's just as likely to act in Bernardo's defense, perhaps more. What background is laid that anyone of the Sharks, specifically, would be the one to kill Tony. It isn't well established because the relationships of the Sharks are so poorly developed. It's a huge moment in the play and yet there's nothing leading up to that moment other than being told Chino's going to kill Tony and then he appears upstage with a gun and shoots him. No lines, nothing. pththtbbbt.

I agree with Kevin's comment that the orchestration vs dialog/singing is imbalanced. That was what I was trying to get at in my earlier comment about the sound.

Updated On: 3/4/09 at 08:43 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 8:47am

Just for comparison I found (you all have prob already seen them) 25 mins of clips from the 1980 revival (most of it is from a Today Show special, and then there's a medley performed at the cheesetastic Gala of the Stars TV special which I've seen other clips from elsewhere). Of course it's a bit unfair to judge as they're performed away from their sets and in the TOday show clips with horrific "music" but...


Part one is here (there are 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsAENm8_pmA&feature=related

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:06am

Oldschool, Chino is the one to kill Tony because Chino is the one who discovers Maria is running away to be with him. He runs off furious after telling her Tony killed her brother, and the next we hear of him, Anybodys announces to the Jets that Chino wants to kill Tony. He kills Tony to avenge Bernardo's death, and as revenge for Maria choosing Tony over him. How much more establisment do you need? A scene where Chino explains his reasoning with charts and diagrams?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:11am

Exactly, Skittles.

Also, Chino is relatively young and innocent, and the point the authors are making is that they young and innocent also get caught up with the web of hatred and violence.

[duffny1]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 11:02am

I was told by the box office that Standing Room Only will probably be sold as soon as it opens...Contingent on the house being sold-out.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:28pm

They sold standing room in both the orchestra and balcony on Saturday.

[ItSucks2BAveQ]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 5:53pm

QUESTION.

the only gunshot in the show is (spoiler?) at the end when tony is shot (end spoiler?) correct?

im going with my sister and she hates the gunshots so i thought id be sure...

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:04pm

Also, Chino is relatively young and innocent, and the point the authors are making is that they young and innocent also get caught up with the web of hatred and violence.

I agree with you PalJoey. But I also think it shows that when you are young, inexperienced and easily influenced by those around you, you can make very bad life changing decisions. Such as shooting someone because the girl you like, loves someone else. For Pete's sake...plenty of other fish in the sea Chino...go find someone else. She didn't love you, get over it!!!!

Hee hee hee.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:56pm

"They sold standing room in both the orchestra and balcony on Saturday."


How do they have standing room in the balcony?

[duffny1]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:18pm

Sorry that is what I was told at WSS this past Thursday. I also believe Drunk Chita is correct as the box office woman said there would be two sections of Standing Room (after they open)and I found that odd.

I am happy to see that tickets are selling well and they opened it up early.