West Side Story - Theater Review

When re-inventing a story that is inherently New York in its diatribe and cinematically visceral in its 1968 film adaption, "West Side Story" [Palace Theater/Broadway/NYC] coming back to Broadway carries a degree of pedigree but also a sense of expectation since its background anticipation are extremely high. The problem with this inception of the show, which has not been back to Broadway in some years, is the dated terminology and the ideological sentiment that seems out of play with the times. The music, especially the large sequences like "The Dance" stand the test of time but the reality is that you have to have two very strong leads in the parts of Tony & Maria. The problem here is that  technique only goes so far. You need to have some edge...and you need to have chemistry, which these two characters in this incarnation didn't have. Now while the fact remains that, with "Tonight", they can hit those top notes pinpoint which is great, the emotion behind it is lacking. The best two points of the play revolve around "The Dance" [as mentioned] and the "Tonight" reprise quintet which carry the power they should because you see the enthusiasm of this obviously young cast but you also hear it in the vivaciousness of the live orchestra. The music is not as vibrant as it need be for most of the performance as if the players have gotten too used to the material. But for split seconds here and there one sees that vigor and it takes you, especially with the dance-off interaction.The performer that undeniably sparks the play as much as she can is Karen Olivo who plays Anita. Her soprano intentions and vivacious demeanor interplays with the inherent dynamic of the role and makes it pop. One of the main progressions that this specific staging proclaims is in the interaction of Spanish in terms of lyrics and intonation which definitely the readings a bit of flavor to it but when the emotions between Tony & Maria are not visceral, it does lose some of its power. The sequential difference between the play and the movie helps and hurts its possibilities. While the use of a child's voice in "Somewhere" enhances its point musically, the dreamy aspect of the ballet it infers seems dynamically out of place. While wanton in its intentions, this staging of the classic play seems dated despite dialogue changes and, more than not, the perspective from which it has rooted itself in terms of the 1960s. "West Side Story" wants to heighten its pedigree but in reality is still overshadowed by a film more than 40 years old. Out of 5, I give it a 2.