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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2011 > March > 31 > Entry
Review: ‘West Side Story’
“West Side Story” was a sensation when it originally appeared on Broadway in 1957.
It was topical. It had a great book by Arthur Laurents. It had even better choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins. And then there was the music: written by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
What’s more, it seemed “of the moment,” dealing with ethnic tensions on the West Side of New York and tracking the turf battles between the Jets and the Sharks.
A new production, currently playing at the Bass Concert Hall on the University of Texas campus, still seems fresh, topical and vibrant. That’s partly because of the timelessness of the original musical, which defies critique. But it’s also related to the lively reproduction by director David Saint and choreographer Joey McKneely.
At Tuesday’s opening night performance in Austin, Michelle Aravena delivered a standout performance as the fiery Anita, who leads the Puerto Rican girls to new heights during the rendition of “America” in the first act. As Maria, Ali Woldt also shines.
The only vulnerable performance in Tuesday evening’s production was by Cary Tedder, an understudy who played the lead male role of Tony, instead of Kyle Harris. Tedder has a great voice and is a more than capable dancer. He is not, however, able to fully realize Tony as an actor. He doesn’t have the aura of danger that the character requires. And he looks as though he has just stepped out of a J. Crew catalog, rather than the mean streets of the West Side.
The sound also wasn’t perfect, but Tuesday’s performance followed a Monday appearance by Yo-Yo Ma at the Bass, so there wasn’t much time to set up for the opening night of “West Side Story.”
“West Side Story” continues through Sunday at the Bass Concert Hall. See www.texasperformingarts.com for tickets.
Comments
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By GR
April 2, 2011 10:09 AM | Link to this
I grew up listening to Westside Story. Gorgeous Leonard Bernstein score, and considered quite modern for it’s time. Jerome Robbins choreography was amazing, and afterwards, he used parts of it in ballets.
Having said this, I disagree somewhat with the Statesman review. I thought that the dancing was great to very difficult Jerome Robbin choreography, and I liked the orchestra, even with the synthesizers. I thought that adding speaking Spanish was an interesting addition, underscoring tension and gulf between the two cultures, but I thought was a little too much - point was made with less.
But I thought that the singing was so-so. I have always wondered about Tony and Maria, who didn’t dance much. I understand about the others - finding those to sing and dance at the same to the complex music and choreography at the same time really difficult. However, having said all this, I liked this rendition of Westside Story and am glad that the ensemble came to Austin.
By Michael Meigs
March 31, 2011 10:36 PM | Link to this
On the contrary, Cary Tedder fit the role of Tony perfectly — because Tony’s the guy who has grown out of all the acting out and is ready for something more mature. He should be the opposite of dangerous; he’s the peacemaker.