Courtesy of Michele Anliker images
The Encore Musical Theatre Firm opened its newest manufacturing of “West Facet Story” on Thursday night time, and audiences had been clearly on the present’s wavelength: rising to their toes in assist of director Michael Berry’s imaginative and prescient. Working off an unique conception by Jerome Robbins, Berry goals to breathe new life right into a landmark musical that has held a revered place within the American theatrical canon. Notably, the manufacturing additionally marked the Broadway debut of the late Stephen Sondheim, who penned the lyrics to Leonard Bernstein’s hovering rating.
Since its groundbreaking 1957 debut, “West Facet Story” has cemented its legacy as probably the most emotionally potent works in American theatre. Spielberg’s 2021 remake introduced the story’s themes of systemic racism, xenophobia, and cultural divide to a brand new era with visible grandeur. It is sensible that The Encore would revisit the piece, particularly given its continued relevance. Sadly, the conflicts that drive the musical—white versus Latino, native versus immigrant—stay all too acquainted in our divided world. It’s additionally arduous to consider The Encore final staged the musical in 2018; a lot has modified, and but, the story stays timeless.
2018 seems like a lifetime in the past, again when the corporate carried out in a smaller venue. The Encore’s former, extra intimate area lent itself to a visceral, sweat-drenched urgency that’s more durable to copy of their newer, bigger theater. That unique proximity made us really feel like we had been a part of the motion, not simply spectators. With The Encore now performing in a bigger, extra technically outfitted area, there’s understandably a unique dynamic. And whereas the transfer was an necessary and thrilling step ahead for the corporate, it does include that feeling of emotional distance that subtly permeates this manufacturing.
A few of that elimination comes from the staging selections, like putting the orchestra behind the stage. Whereas the musicians, below the route of R. MacKenzie Lewis, do a high-quality job bringing Bernstein’s sweeping compositions to life, not with the ability to see them takes away a few of the magic. In an period when many productions, from “Hadestown” to “Six,” embrace the visibility of their musicians as a part of the theatrical expertise, tucking them out of sight seems like a missed alternative for connection. With out them in view, one thing feels just a bit much less alive.
Nonetheless, the narrative energy of “West Facet Story” is as robust as ever. Watching the predominantly white Jets provoke and conflict with the Puerto Rican Sharks feels heartbreakingly present. Set within the Higher West Facet throughout the Nineteen Fifties, the present displays the real-life tensions of put up–city renewal New York Metropolis, when communities had been displaced and racial tensions simmered just under the floor. The present opens getting ready to struggle, with Ian Rubin lending Riff, chief of the Jets, a wiry, scrappy power, and Cristian Rodriguez giving Bernardo, head of the Sharks, a cool and assured edge. As Anita, Mariangeli Collado is excellent—fiercely charismatic, emotionally potent, and totally commanding in “A Boy Like That.” She steals each scene she’s in and brings coronary heart, fireplace, and voice to the position.
On the story’s core, in fact, is the ill-fated romance between Tony and Maria. Conor Jordan reprises his position as Tony from the 2018 manufacturing, and Daniela Rodriguez Del Bosque is terrific as Maria—candy, wide-eyed, and grounded in emotional fact. Jordan is a succesful and honest performer, however I discovered myself questioning what a youthful Tony may need dropped at the position, particularly reverse Del Bosque. Nonetheless, their chemistry carries weight, and their scenes collectively pulse with romantic urgency.
Shane Cinal’s scenic design goes for a minimalist, trendy look, assume skatepark slightly than Nineteen Fifties New York, with chain-link fences and sliding items standing in for varied locales. The pliability provides actors loads of room to maneuver, however some scenes, like these set inside Doc’s drugstore, may’ve used extra visible definition. With out clear markers, it turns into more durable for the viewers to trace the place we’re, and that contributes to the general sense of detachment.
Joseph Partitions’ lighting design, which includes dynamic LED parts, provides visible aptitude all through the manufacturing, whereas Rossella Human’s costumes convey texture and character to every character. These design selections give the manufacturing a contemporary sheen with out utterly abandoning the present’s interval roots.
Some musical numbers pop greater than others. “America” is a spotlight, thanks largely to Collado’s spirited efficiency and Deanna Aguinaga-Whyte’s devoted choreography, which pulls instantly from Jerome Robbins’ unique motion. Alternatively, “Gee, Officer Krupke,” often a crowd-pleasing Act II stunner, feels barely underpowered regardless of the ensemble’s dedication and agility. It’s a difficult quantity that requires razor-sharp timing and simply the correct mix of irreverence and allure, each of which felt barely off the mark on opening night time.
All of that is to say: “West Facet Story” is a tough present to get precisely proper, and lightning hardly ever strikes the identical place twice. This manufacturing has loads to admire—from dedicated performances and creative staging to the continued bravery of programming such a culturally important present. But it surely didn’t absolutely stir me the best way I’d hoped. Nonetheless, supporting native theater and The Encore’s mission is at all times price doing, and I’m desirous to see what they tackle subsequent.
The Encore Musical Theatre Firm’s WEST SIDE STORY continues by July sixth. Tickets may be bought right here.