WEST SIDE STORY first preview reviews!- Page 2

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 11:56pm

I'm not sure, I mean the lady inquiring about them today was looking for tonight's performance, so I'm not the best person to answer. However, they have them listed on the "prices" sheet right next to the window with no indication that you can't buy them in advance. They're the same price as a balcony seat. I've never been in the Palace, so I don't know which is considered the better seat. And I guess we'll have to wait to hear back from tonight about how the set and stuff fits into the space.

[Kevn520]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 11:58pm

I really don't think the lottery system is unfair. I think it's better to have it than to have that row selling for the maximum price. The production isn't required to offer it, so the fact that they are is a plus.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:03am

I'm saying I think a rush is better than a lotto. I mean, the whole reason RENT started the trend was to make better seats available to students, so they could be exposed to theater. What's the lotto doing? Just helping old ladies get better seats?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:10am

Is this show not doing discounts? It's not even on Broadwaybox.com

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:10am

I just got back from the show and am gathering my thoughts. I was in the balcony and I didn't think I had an obstructed view at all. I mean, the balcony at the Palace is terrible in general because it's so high up, but I didn't miss anything because of sightlines.

I general I loved the show. The dancing is truly amazing, and the best part of the evening. The Dance at the Gym and Cool are so crisp and perfectly executed. If everything in the revival was at this level it would be an utterly flawless production.

I really liked Josefina, especially in the second act. Her high notes in Siento Hermosa (I Feel Pretty) were awesome. The Spanish really worked well in this number. I thought she infused the normally bland role with a lot of warmth and sweetness. She also pulled off the finale well.

Personally, I thought Matt Cavenaugh was wonderful. His vocals really surprised. Going into tonight I was a little worried that he could pull it off. Well silenced any fears after the thrilling notes he hit during Maria. I really enjoy the vibrato in his voice.

Karen is really pulling out the acting and vocal stops for Anita. The taunting scene is really gripping and will get her a Tony nomination easily. Her dancing could be a little stronger, but I hope this comes as she becomes comfortable at the palace. Her stage presence really carried up to the balcony.

Cody Green, as many said in DC, is the weak link in the acting department. He kind of seems restrained in the role, but I heard that he was too over the top in DC. I guess he just needs to find a happy medium. His dancing is great, but just makes the role rather blah.

Curtis Holbrook makes a nice character out of Action, and delivers Gee Officer Krupke. George Akram is fine in the fairly boring role of Bernardo.

This will EASILY win best revival. It's a thousand times better than Pal Joey, and much more solid than Guys and Dolls. Hair doesn't have a chance in upsetting this production, and rightfully so. I couldn't be happier for the cast and creative team (although the costumes have to be changed!!). Grab a ticket now before this one becomes the next South Pacific.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:10am

What exactly *is* the front row for WSS?
I mean, I've booked front row well in advance of
'attempting to win them via lotto'.
I doubt they'd set ALL of those seats aside for $26.50.
Old lady, young teen, whatever. The tickets are going
at an extremely good rate.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:12am

WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel

Question, did they keep "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" in Spanish?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:13am

A Boy Like That was still in Spanish. I Have A Love is now in English.

Overall, it was a fantastic evening of theater. I saw the show twice in DC and loved it then, but it has severely improved. Thank god those awful zodiac signs are gone...they were very distracting in DC. Also, the dancing was much cleaner here and the acting has improved tremedously.

Josefina's I Feel Pretty is a showstopper. She sings it SO WELL...even better than in DC. Matt's voice and acting have improved greatly...I am thrilled that he is finally in a hit show. Karen, while not the strongest dancer, has the vocals and acting chops and is stunning as Anita. All three deserve nominations.

The staging of Gee Office Krupke is completely different and SO MUCH BETTER. What an improvement...and Curtis gets to shine even more. He was wonderful. Cody Green is a weak actor, and sadly doesn't do much with the role of Riff.

Still, the show is in FANTASTIC shape and it will win Best Revival of a Musical 2009 without contest. Congrats to the cast and crew...this will be a HUGE HIT in New York!
Updated On: 2/24/09 at 12:13 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:13am

I'm assuming you saw it tonight as well, WAT? Did you enjoy it?!

Can't wait to go next Wednesday!

[Kevn520]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:14am

Rent was a general lottery, not a student rush. Maybe it started as a rush, I don't know.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:15am

how was it having ABLT in Spanish but IHAL in English?
but, SO glad people love it! can't wait to make a trip up!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:16am

As far as the Spanish goes, I liked having it, and never thought it hindered the production. Often Anita would say something in Spanish and then Maria would kind of echo it in English, or make sure her English answer explain the question. I Feel Pretty was an absolute delight in Spanish.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:17am

Yeah, I remember Sondheim liking I Feel Pretty in Spanish because he said it took the worst lyrics of the show and put them in a language most people who go see it won't understand lol

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:18am

Pianolin717: The transition between A Boy Like That and I Have a Love was seemless and came off as completely natural. I think was due to the fact that they were speaking a mix of Spanish and English the entire show. If I Have a Love had been the only time we heard them speak English it would have been weird. The way it was set up was perfectly normal.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:18am

Seriously people....buy your tickets now. What a stunning production.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:21am

They really need to leave "A Boy Like That" in Spanish. Karen totally nailed it tonight!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:23am

Updated On: 2/24/09 at 12:23 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:23am

I don't know...Hair was pretty damn good too. But we'll see! I guess I'll just give in and pay full price for this.

Wizz, could you see the back wall of the set from your seats in the Balcony or how much could you see and exactly where in the balcony were ou?

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:25am

yeah, I agree! they better leave ABLT in Spanish! FIERCE when I saw it in DC. Question though, when Maria sings in ABLT, does she sing in Spanish as well? or does she reply in English? Because, for some reason I LOVE when she sings this, she sings "Porfavore, Anita Porfavore' lol I always liked that

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:26am

I paid full price for tonight's performance. I was in the front row mezz dead center...a PERFECT view. (Janet Decal was sitting three seats away from me)

This show is totally worth paying full price for...every penny was well spent.

Karen's singing for "A Boy Like That" was so rich and so full of emotion...it is indescribable...you all must experience this live. She is wonderful.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:27am

I was in the second to last row of the balcony and I could see the back skrim just fine. Nothing is projected on the back wall, and most of the action takes place mid to downstage. The only thing you're really missing is depth of the facial expressions. It's cool to see the choreography from afar though. Makes you appreciate the sharpness and togetherness of the ensemble even more.

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:27am

So glad I caught this in DC before the crowds...and had the pleasure of sitting next to Josefina's mom when she saw her daughter to this for the first time! Hope to find a spare ticket at some point and catch it again, but glad to hear it is even better and I know it'll be a big hit, a la South Pacific and Pajama Game!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:32am

Thanks Whizz! That just sold me! I just like being able to see the whole set and stuff, and I hate when action is taking place upstage and people are laughing and you can't understand why because you can't see it (like partial view for 39 Steps).

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:40am

Would you guys recommend an orchestra seat over front row mezz?
I love the original lyrics to "A Boy Like That" so I was hoping they'd perform it in English, but if Karen Olivo is selling it the way she is, then I'll go with an open mind.
How were "America" and "Dance at the Gym"? Is her dancing really subpar? I can't wait to see the show, seriously.
Any word on the costumes?

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:43am

oh yeah, along with costumes, what about the surtitles. gone completely?