WEST SIDE STORY first preview reviews! — Page 7

Has anyone sat in the lotto seats? How is the view?

"Yes, the dream ballet is still shortened...I still love it though (since i don't know what it is supposed to be). "

Damn you Laurents. Oh well--but I mean the full ballet isn't ALL that long...

The rape hasn't been changed to my knowledge. After Anita is pushed around and groped, she is pinned to the floor as one of the Jets (in his underwear) is lift/forced onto her. It caught me completely off guard.

"The rape hasn't been changed to my knowledge. After Anita is pushed around and groped, she is pinned to the floor as one of the Jets (in his underwear) is lift/forced onto her. It caught me completely off guard."

That is different from when it was in DC. No one stripped down to their underwear.

I don't recall using the word "stripped". His pants were at his ankles.

Updated On: 2/25/09 at 08:12 PM

Somehow last week two center orchestra tickets popped up in Row K for last night -- so we grabbed them. It was an incredible night in what's likely to be a historic production. This West Side Story is in a completely different class.

I thought the costumes and sets worked perfectly -- although the costumes have been significantly butched up since D.C. They fit into the production perfectly which never feels like a museum piece, nor a period piece. It could be taking place tomorrow or fifty years ago.

The nicotine crowd at intermission were visibly shaking -- it was really that stunning of an event. Anything I say after this is just quibbling -- or maybe just a discussion, because these are by no means flaws.

They've got a big orchestra spreading into the two front boxes, however you might never know it. It seemed a little subdued yet perhaps nicer than the bombast we've come to expect from the hollywood recording.

Quite a few dramatic moments in the show seemed peculiarly held back...to the point where I was even questioning did that scene happen yet? Especially the moment were Maria sends Anita to Doc's Candy store. However, it seems purposeful because the actors are blocked away from one another -- it's as if Arthur is holding these moments back knowing that he'll deliver later -- and he does.

The choreography is magic. It comes unexpectedly to life without any of the fanfare and grandstanding we've seen in other revivals. It's on par with the most masterful performance by the most prestigious dance companies.

Matt Cavenaugh -- well its a daring choice. This is not a big voice. There were two times I notice his mouth open to sing but no note came out. "Maria" is not getting shouted to the back of the house, nor is "Somethings Coming." If you've even seen the Whiffenpoofs, you get the idea of what this Tony sounds like. (But again, Arthur seems to be holding these moments back. Maybe it will be different on another night.) On the other hand, Matt creates a presence on stage that I'm not sure many others could do. I'd like to say he's a hit or miss choice, but I can't really say he knocked it out of the park for anyone. Let's just say he's a daring choice.

The rest of ensemble has a real distinct presence. This is a small point, but Arthur somehow captures that bizarre look of late 50s early 60s juvenile delinquent movies. The cast is beautiful, yet they all have that somewhat odd, almost surreal beauty circa Sal Mineo, Rebel Without a Cause. Pretty amazing.

Cody great. Curtis terific, Olivo got audible wows. Josefina is a pure angel.

Now the best for last. This is really Arthur's ultimate FU -- or love song. You feel the magnificent hand of an extraordinary director at the height of his powers throughout every detail of this production. It's like Arthur said "Step aside, I'm going to show you how its really done." This is not period piece. It feels as alive and avant-garde when it needs to as anything coming out of BAM or experimental dance workshop.

This production is absolutely one for the history books. There's a lot to talk and quibble about -- but it's in a class by itself. Just extraordinary.

Reading all these reviews is making me excited! What the hell, I'm gonna buy crap balcony seats just so I can see the show!

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"I went the second preview, front row, center section on the right, seat 101. Were you on the left? Because, during the rape scene, the guys were huddled around her so I couldn't really see her per say but then when the rape was stopped, A-rab rushed to my side of the stage pulling his pants up"

I was in the center. I didn't notice it, it must've been pretty subtle.

Can someone describe the rape scene more? I have never seen West Side Story, and I keep hearing different accounts of what happens in the rape scene. Some say she is almost raped and others say she is raped. Does it differ by production? Sorry, I'm just very confused.

Since there is a general complaint about lottery and rush and which is better (and I can't believe I've now become old enough that people don't know this) I'll explain what happened with Rent.

Rent started as a rush. But there was a problem. Some people were so obsessed with the show (I remember in particular the name of one such Renthead named Joel who was rumoured to have seen the show hundreds of times) that as soon as the show was over, they would get in line for the next day's rush. Out of 20 seats maybe half or even less were going to people who had never seen the show before. There were articles about people in the rush line, how everybody knew each other. The Renthead rushers were even on first-name basis with the cast. I remember on one board, a girl talked about how she instructed her prom limo to stop by the rush line to say hi to friends.

And so, TPTB decided to do away with the rush and invent the lottery to give anybody and everybody an equal shot at seeing the show.

I personally like lottery. True, I have not gone to a lottery since my schedule doesn't allow it and it doesn't guarantee a ticket, but it is so less time-consuming than rush. I've rushed Spring Awakening and half a dozen plays and of course went out at 4am to see Hair this summer and I prefer having my days to myself.

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i am of two minds re: the somewhere ballet.

on the one hand, i am surprised that so many think that the current edit is so left field. i think laurents wanted to transition more smoothly to a tony/maria consummation, which wouldn't work as well with the full somewhere sequence, and a consummation between the two is a clear nod to the book's roots in romeo & juliet.

OTOH, i do think the somewhere ballet should be restored, for several reasons. first and foremost, whatever viewers have felt re: this revival, the dancing is almost always regarded as a strength. so it seems to me you should play to your casts' strengths to downplay their weaknesses. secondly, the current edit also paints the maria character in a rather lascivious light: you killed my brother, so let's have sex. that of course is not literally what is said, but it is exactly what happens. the maria character should be pure and innocent.

just IMHO, doubt any changes.

I completely agree, miss pennywise.

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