I posted this review on another board and after taking some flack and reflecting on it, I want to make clear that it is intended to be honest and is by no means an exercise in snarkiness. As has been pointed out to me, some of the actors have an array of credits, however, those are the exception and not the rule.
I really wanted to like this show and arrived at the Palace last night with great anticipation in seeing a full scale revival of an American Classic. Perhaps, it is a case of you just can't go there again. Or maybe the show for all of its past glory just does not withstand the test of time. However, the show's story line of racial tension remains relevant and despite the dated slang should have been presented with the reverence that this turning point in American Theater deserved.
Frankly, I have no idea what the producers were thinking of when they put together this ill conceived, run of the mill production; one whose cast is weak, sound is poor (or was it the lack of enunciation and emotion in delivering the dialog and lyrics), staging pedestrian. . . Well you're getting the idea. The show never builds any momentum. There is not a single show stopping moment. The is no tension between the Jets and the Sharks. I dare say in a show in which the star is machismo, there was just no testosterone! The addition of Spanish to the dialog and lyrics while well intentioned misses the mark. Perhaps the same end could have been reached by putting actors in place that were capable of projecting a Latin air.
It's not that the performers were not trying! And I applaud then and every other actor that takes the stage and puts themselves out there for critical review. However, much of the cast is miscast. While everyone needs to start somewhere, there was not a single member of the cast that had any real Broadway experience and it showed.
When Robbins originally choreographed this show it was with a maddening devotion to precision, however, this group could not even coordinate their finger snapping highlight. There was just no punctuation or emotion in the delivery of dialog, orchestration, song or dance. In a word, this show is lazy. But then again it was a preview and perhaps the best is held back until the show's doors officially open!
There were some moments. . . though they were few and far between. The dancing had a few intermittent performances that separated this production from being characterized as a great high school rendition.
I will say in this day and age where money is dear that spending the face value for a ticket is a pure waste of your cultural budget and the producer's bankbook. In fact, I might say that if this was an angel's way of showcasing a favored performer than it missed its mark as there is not a single performance worthy of such an investment.
I trust that this production did not live up to its responsibility to future generations as this will likely close quickly, and deprive a whole new generation of the magic of this masterpiece, relegating it to mothballs on account of what will likely be a pitiful box office that will be attributed to the times or the integrity of the book and lyrics.
Refunds are due to the audience and apologies to Messrs. Bernstein, Sondheim and Robbins.
Updated On: 3/7/09 at 06:11 PM
