WEST SIDE STORY reviews: opened Feb 20 2020- Page 6

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 6:44pm

poisonivy2 said: "New Yorker has a review out:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/03/02/a-grim-take-on-west-side-story"

On the subject of colorblind casting, this review (which I think is very worthwhile reading) makes this interesting point:

"Meanwhile, the Jets, originally a white gang made up of the sons and grandsons of Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants—“an anthology of what is called ‘American,’ ” Laurents wrote in the script—are a diverse bunch; in fact, the white actor Ben Cook, who was first cast as Riff, was replaced by the talented Jones, who is black, when Cook was injured. With apologies to Cook, that may have been a stroke of luck, since it’s more conceivable that white street kids would pay allegiance to a black leader—there’s that haunted idea of American “cool” again, inextricable from white obsession with African-American culture—than the other way around.

And yet the casting introduces tangled layers of complexity that van Hove has either misunderstood or ignored. The lyrics of the film version of “America”—in which Anita and the Shark women sing of their love of the country’s capitalist conveniences, and the men sing of its brutality and bankrupt racism—remain as current as Twitter discourse, if, mercifully, a lot cleverer. “Life is all right in America,” the women sing, and the men reply, “If you’re all white in America,” but I didn’t hear that line in this production, maybe because it makes less sense for the Sharks to sing it when it no longer applies to their adversaries. Meanwhile, the production has confusingly kept references to both gangs’ immigrant status. “Who asked you to come here?” Riff says to Bernardo; Bernardo’s retort—“Who asked you?”—has a bitter, unintended irony in the context of African-American history."

Updated On: 2/21/20 at 06:44 PM

[bk]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 6:45pm

Sutton Ross said: ""Less wise was the casting ofAmar Ramasaras Bernardo, a performer plagued with controversy after he disseminated sexual images of fellow female dancers during his time with the New York City Ballet. The casting decision has surely caused a headache for the production and ethical reckoning for some viewers which seems, given the performance, not worth it; Ramasar’s Bernardo fades to the background, upstaged by a magnetic Yesenia Ayala as Anita, Shereen Pimentel as Maria and a smoldering ensemble of Sharks." They enjoyed the show otherwise.

The Guardian

My favorite review is from theWall Street Journalwhose title is hilarious and telling:"Worst Side Story"

WSJ"

It is amazing to me that supposedly reputable newspapers continue to print completely erroneous information about this person.  "disseminated sexual images of fellow female dancers during his time with the New York City Ballet. "  a) he is still with the New York City Ballet, and b) he most assuredly did not disseminate sexual images of fellow female dancers - he shared ONE nude photo of his GIRLFRIEND and that was two YEARS ago.  And yet, on they go.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 7:00pm

CT2NYC said: "gibsons2 said: "perfectliar said: "gibsons2 said: "I don't read theater critics (is this even a real profession? ) because I just can't take a questionable opinion of some pompous individuals and make it decide for me if I want to see a show. Did these people create anything themselves to be so snarky, lol? Thank god for social media and boards like this where I can find reviews of real people who pay money to see these shows."

Why is a critic's opinion questionable but any other random person's not? I will never understand this argument. Why does being paid to write about your opinion somehow make that opinion invalid?

As for the other half of this... What if a person on this board has never "created anything?" Doesn't that undermine their opinion, based on this logic, and make it not worth hearing?"

I find most of the negative "professional" reviews quite disrespectful and nothing but a competition in who's the snarkiest and most of the time the humor falls flat for me. "Calvin Klein fragrance ad", really? I appreciate a good joke, but this isn't good, just like most in these articles. I mean, even if you hate a certain production, which means it's not bad, it's just not your cup of tea, can't you appreciate and be respectful to the colossal effort it takes to put it together? Months or years of work of ateam who made this production possible: cast, director and many others? It doesn't take much effort to go see a show for free and then spend an hour or less on a laptop to write an article. Just my opinion.

"

My problem with Brantley is that he's just not clever. If you're going to use snark in a review, at least have the chops to make it actually funny, instead of the stale "humor" he employs. His jokes smell like mothballs."

Brantley / The New York Times is pretty much the one reviewer everyone and every show really cares about... I adore reading his reviews.

 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 7:14pm

Luminaire2 said: "CT2NYC said: "gibsons2 said: "perfectliar said: "gibsons2 said: "I don't read theater critics (is this even a real profession? ) because I just can't take a questionable opinion of some pompous individuals and make it decide for me if I want to see a show. Did these people create anything themselves to be so snarky, lol? Thank god for social media and boards like this where I can find reviews of real people who pay money to see these shows."

Why is a critic's opinion questionable but any other random person's not? I will never understand this argument. Why does being paid to write about your opinion somehow make that opinion invalid?

As for the other half of this... What if a person on this board has never "created anything?" Doesn't that undermine their opinion, based on this logic, and make it not worth hearing?"

I find most of the negative "professional" reviews quite disrespectful and nothing but a competition in who's the snarkiest and most of the time the humor falls flat for me. "Calvin Klein fragrance ad", really? I appreciate a good joke, but this isn't good, just like most in these articles. I mean, even if you hate a certain production, which means it's not bad, it's just not your cup of tea, can't you appreciate and be respectful to the colossal effort it takes to put it together? Months or years of work of ateam who made this production possible: cast, director and many others? It doesn't take much effort to go see a show for free and then spend an hour or less on a laptop to write an article. Just my opinion.

"

My problem with Brantley is that he's just not clever. If you're going to use snark in a review, at least have the chops to make it actually funny, instead of the stale "humor" he employs. His jokes smell like mothballs."

Brantley / The New York Times is pretty much the one reviewer everyone and every show really cares about... I adore reading his reviews.

"

Yes, every show cares about the NYT review, but it's regardless of who is reviewing for them at the time. Brantley's power comes solely from the paper for which he writes, not his personal qualifications.

Updated On: 2/21/20 at 07:14 PM

[AADA81]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 7:31pm

Owen22 said: "joevitus said: "The one element of the production I find suspect is the multi-racial makeup of both gangs. This is partly because the script clearly denotes one group as white,one as Puerto Rican, but also because in fact gangs do tend to form around racial lines. There aren't a whole lot of mixed race gangs among actual gang--though this is changing, apparently,so it doesn't even feel like an appropriate change for the sake of authenticity."

Okay. The Jets AREwhite and Puerto Ricans ARE Hispanic. Van Hove is employing colorblind casting, as the racial makeup is still part of the script and mentioned in the dialogue. Clearly. He is not employing colorblind casting to the service of star casting, the way we are used to it being used. He is using it as part of a metaphoric theme.

Whatever Van Hove's intent may be, if using color blind casting means audience members can't tell who the Jets or the Sharks are during 'Dance at the Gym' and 'The Rumble', the two main moments of gang interaction in the show, that is a problem.  And I've heard that said several times.  If a metaphor is confusing, it is no longer metaphorical; it's confusing.

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:05pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:05pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:06pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:06pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:41pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:44pm

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 9:58pm

poisonivy2 said: "Owen22 said: "joevitus said: "The one element of the production I find suspect is the multi-racial makeup of both gangs. This is partly because the script clearly denotes one group as white,one as Puerto Rican, but also because in fact gangs do tend to form around racial lines. There aren't a whole lot of mixed race gangs among actual gang--though this is changing, apparently,so it doesn't even feel like an appropriate change for the sake of authenticity."

Okay. The Jets AREwhite and Puerto Ricans ARE Hispanic. Van Hove is employing colorblind casting, as the racial makeup is still part of the script and mentioned in the dialogue. Clearly. He is not employing colorblind casting to the service of star casting, the way we are used to it being used. He is using it as part of a metaphoric theme.

"

Except only the Jets are "colorblind" in this production. The Sharks are Latinx actors and actresses. Gangs in NYC are segregated not just by race but by country of origin -- a Dominican could never join a Mexican gang and white kids would never be in the same gang as black kids. A more realistic update would to have the Jets be white nationalist gangs that are becoming more popular in NYC. Certainly they are in Long Island. Again, anyone who has worked in a NYC public school will know exactly which gangs a kid is in, their gang signs, their colors, and the requirements to join that gang."

No, the Sharks are definitely not all Latinx. There's actually a very prominent, controversial Shark who is actually Middle Eastern/Asian.

Updated On: 2/21/20 at 09:58 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 10:06pm

Owen22 said: "No, the Sharks are definitely not all Latinx. There's actually a very prominent, controversial Shark who is actually Middle Eastern/Asian."

Hi mother is Puerto Rican, which if my math is correct, makes him half Puerto Rican.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 10:08pm

Owen22 said: "poisonivy2 said: "Owen22 said: "joevitus said: "The one element of the production I find suspect is the multi-racial makeup of both gangs. This is partly because the script clearly denotes one group as white,one as Puerto Rican, but also because in fact gangs do tend to form around racial lines. There aren't a whole lot of mixed race gangs among actual gang--though this is changing, apparently,so it doesn't even feel like an appropriate change for the sake of authenticity."

Okay. The Jets AREwhite and Puerto Ricans ARE Hispanic. Van Hove is employing colorblind casting, as the racial makeup is still part of the script and mentioned in the dialogue. Clearly. He is not employing colorblind casting to the service of star casting, the way we are used to it being used. He is using it as part of a metaphoric theme.

"

Except only the Jets are "colorblind" in this production. The Sharks are Latinx actors and actresses. Gangs in NYC are segregated not just by race but by country of origin -- a Dominican could never join a Mexican gang and white kids would never be in the same gang as black kids. A more realistic update would to have the Jets be white nationalist gangs that are becoming more popular in NYC. Certainly they are in Long Island. Again, anyone who has worked in a NYC public school will know exactly which gangs a kid is in, their gang signs, their colors, and the requirements to join that gang."

No, the Sharks are definitely not all Latinx. There's actually a very prominent, controversial Shark who is actually Middle Eastern/Asian."

Amar's mother is Puerto Rican.

https://www.dancemagazine.com/the-golden-guys-2306883040.html

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 10:09pm

trpguyy said: "Owen22 said: "No, the Sharks are definitely not all Latinx. There's actually a very prominent, controversial Shark who is actually Middle Eastern/Asian."

Hi mother is Puerto Rican, which if my math is correct, makes him half Puerto Rican."

Oh, then I stand corrected.

But now I'm perplexed to the confusion. That there are black kids in the Jets now..?

 

Updated On: 2/21/20 at 10:09 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 10:14pm

Uh yeah. The leader of the Jets is Dharon Jones: 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 11:33pm

Saw this again tonight. I liked it even more than when I saw it last month. I think that’s due to a few factors.

1. They’ve integrated the video better into the show during previews.
2. No understudies in tonight which means I finally got Isaac Powell and Shereen Pimentel who were in great voice and have great chemistry. While I didn’t cry, I more acutely felt Tony’s death. I also feel other cast members have grown into their roles.
3. I sat left front mezzanine right off the center aisle. Great view. Last time I was in Row D Right Orchestra (aisle seat). What I traded in the immediacy of being so close was worth it tonight because I could take in the whole production including the dancing so much better. I’m guessing probably the best seat would be to be further back center orchestra so that the videos are actually directly in the background behind the actors during certain scenes. Still I really liked my seat.

It’s pretty clear that this is a polarizing production. I really, really liked it. It was a great way to end my trip. I’m tired so don’t feel like commenting and defending the revival against all the common complaints.

I bought the black “The Anthem of NYC” sweatshirt.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 11:39pm

Seeing this on Wednesday. I’m row X center orchestra.. hoping it isn’t too far back. Hoping I get to see Issac, but since I’m seeing a matinee, I’m not hopeful. So curious about this one.

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/21/20 at 11:47pm

poisonivy2 said: "Uh yeah. The leader of the Jets is Dharon Jones:

"

Yes I've seen the show. My question is if the Sharks are still entirely Latinx why is everyone confused by the mixed white and black races in Jets then? It should be really easy to tell the gangs apart.

Updated On: 2/21/20 at 11:47 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 12:06am

Owen22 said: "poisonivy2 said: "Uh yeah. The leader of the Jets is Dharon Jones:

"

Yes I've seen the show. My question is if the Sharks are still entirely Latinxwhy is everyone confused by the mixed white and black races in Jets then? It should be really easy to tell the gangsapart."

Because Latinx is all colors of the spectrum? If you go to say Cuba you see anything from blond and blue-eyed to black. The Sharks are cast similarly -- the Latinx doesn't mean they're all easily identifiable.

A friend who saw the show says that Sharks had "Tiburones" tattoos which means "shark" in Spanish but from I didn't notice that detail.

[Det95]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 1:49pm

I’m currently at the Broadway for the 2/22 matinee. Isaac, Shereen, and Amar are out. I figured Isaac probably would be, but it’s pretty disappointing having three principles out.

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 5:36pm

Det95 said: "I’m currently at the Broadway for the 2/22 matinee. Isaac, Shereen, and Amar are out. I figured Isaac probably would be, but it’s pretty disappointing having three principles out. "

Am I the only one who finds this shocking? 2 days after opening and 3 leads out. Do the producers get upset by this? The show should be on a post opening high. Perplexed.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 5:44pm

Det95 said: "I’m currently at the Broadway for the 2/22 matinee. Isaac, Shereen, and Amar are out. I figured Isaac probably would be, but it’s pretty disappointing having three principles out."

Unfortunately, this was predicted by several members on here. There's likely going to be an ongoing attendance issue with this production. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 5:47pm

I’m so glad I saw this last night with full OBC.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/22/20 at 6:06pm

Am I the only one who finds this shocking? 2 days after opening and 3 leads out. Do the producers get upset by this? The show should be on a post opening high. Perplexed."

I think you may be. They just needed everyone in for opening night, expect a ton of understudies from now on. 

Updated On: 2/22/20 at 06:06 PM