Same Old ‘Story’ Still Entertaining
This touring production of “West Side Story” will not be one of those revisionist revivals in which the mood is darkened, the book updated and the setting switched to something like: rival gangs on Mars.
No, in this case, the “vision” was much simpler: Make it as close as possible to the original.
Producer Barry Brown, who put together this national non-Equity revival, has been quoted as saying that he was “keen to do what I’d seen onstage at the Winter Garden in 1957.”
And why not?
That was one of the true landmark productions in musical theater. The music by Leonard Bernstein, the words by Stephen Sondheim and the choreography by Jerome Robbins combined to create a fierce, modern parable about love, hate, revenge and intolerance.
Here’s what reviewers were saying about it the morning after it opened in September 1957:
“Pooling imagination and virtuosity, they have written a profoundly moving show that is as ugly as the city jungles but also pathetic, tender and forgiving.” - Brooks Atkinson, New York Times
“It takes up the American musical idiom where it was left when George Gershwin died.” - John Chapman, Daily News
“The most exciting thing to come to town since ‘My Fair Lady.’ … ‘West Side Story’ is something quite new in theater, and it is just great.” - John McClain, Journal American
It’s hardly new anymore, but it holds up better than many of Broadway’s classic musicals. Gang violence is still with us, of course. The style of the Sharks and the Jets may not be up-to-date, if you know what I mean, daddy-o, but the essential message has not changed: Every gang killing is a heartbreaking waste of human life.
Brent Schindele, the actor who plays Tony in this production, said this version will be authentic in a way that other revivals haven’t been. It will feature a cast that actually looks and acts the age of the characters.
“In some productions, they have been forced to cast older actors in these roles, but it really comes off as shallow,” said Schindele. “You feel like you’re not really watching kids.”
In one recording of the score, Jose Carreras, 51, actually sings the role of Tony.
In this cast, some actors are just barely 20 and hardly any are over 30. Schindele himself is 26.
“West Side Story” is a re-telling of the “Romeo and Juliet” story, which makes Tony the Romeo character. Tony has many big moments, including the song “Maria,” but Schindele’s favorite moment comes near the beginning, when he sings the song, “Something’s Coming.”
“It’s a very important song, because it establishes my character as a grounded, thinking person,” he said.
And then he meets Maria, and he’s blinded by love.
This tour, staged by Jeriko Entertainment, has a cast of 32 and a 15-piece orchestra. It will do eight performances in Spokane.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON STAGE “West Side Story” will be staged at the Spokane Opera House on Tuesday, Wednesday and Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 31 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Nov. 2 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $33 to $43, call (800) 325-SEAT.