West Side Story

Synopsis

Musical based on Romeo and Juliet about rival gangs in New York City. Original concept by Jerome Robbins who did the original choreography. Includes songs such as 'Somewhere', 'Tonight', 'America', 'Maria', 'Office Krupke', 'I feel pretty' and 'Somethings Coming'.

Our Review:

25 July 2008

The authorised fiftieth anniversary production of West Side Story at Sadler’s Wells, embarking on a national tour in September, is beautiful to behold and full of colour and vivacity. It’s just a bit anodyne, and nobody in the cast really sounds or looks like a troubled teenager in a deprived area on the Upper West Side of New York either then or now.

I’ve always assumed West Side Story to be the greatest American musical, but now I’m not so sure. The music of Leonard Bernstein is the outstanding element, but there’s not enough of it. The book of Arthur Laurents is fine but not as good as his book for Gypsy. The lyrics of Stephen Sondheim proclaim genius but also have their soppy side. The choreography of Jerome Robbins, dutifully reproduced by Joey McKneely, is marvellous, but lacking in street credibility and new moves; it’s woefully dated.

When gang warfare is suspended in the all white ballet of “Somewhere, There’s A Place F...

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Latest User Review

allstraights - 29 March 2011:

a lot of Hispanic gay people dancing...

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