West Side Story
One of the true landmarks of American musical theatre
Why see West Side Story?
Score by Sondheim and Bernstein
It's Sharks vs Jets in the classic West Side Story, which closes out 5th Avenue's 2018/19 season. One of the most influential musicals of all time, this fiery, Latin music infused show relocates Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the Upper West Side, replacing Montagues and Capulets with warring street gangs. Caught in the crossfire are Tony and Maria, whose forbidden love will result in tragic consequences. Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein's score includes one classic after another, including 'I Feel Pretty' and 'America'.
Presented in association with Spectrum dance Company, this 5th Avenue production promises to the honor the show's legacy, with a cast of 40 performances backed by a 25-piece orchestra. Bill Berry directs.
Key Information
Audience
Suitable for ages 12+
Run Time
Approximately two hours and 40 minutes with one intermission
Dates
Finished Jun 23, 2019
Creative
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Based on conception of Jerome Robbins
Directed by Bill Berry
Reviews
Customer reviews
3 reviews, average rating: (4.0 Stars)
Linda Sherrington
Fabulous!
What a masterpiece. The quality at the 5th Avenue theatre is not short of amazing. The set, lights, and costume are spectacular. West Side
Story is a hit! Standout performance by Danielle Marie Gonzalez who played Anita. She captivated you the moment she stepped foot on that stage ... Read more
sandy
good but could have been better
I watched this show, and while it was ok, it just wasn't great. The actress who plays maria is trying very hard.... but she's going thru the motions. Ex. her true love , Tony, is shot right in front of her, and she sobs, for exactly 1.5 min, and then stands up and walks to Chino and does the monologue about the gun . But really she should be devastasted.... hysterical.... sobbing so much she can barely deliver lines.... so tense that her anger is just visible on her body. But this actress is just delivering lines.
The staging was lackluster. Many of the songs are just two people.... they sing, while staring at each other for 30 seconds.... but then they should be given something else to do. Put her in a "sweetheart cuddle", so they can both sing to the audience. Give them something else to do that reinforces their feelings, but makes it interesting. Tony delivers his songs, running from stage R to stage L and back again. Was this director out of ideas? ... Read more
TheatreManiaMan
OUTSTANDING and true to the Original
I am confused by all of these uneducated opinions I am reading
on this site from others who saw the show. The show is VERY
true to the original in so many aspects. The choreography is
practically the exact same as it was when the show opened at the
Winter Garden theatre in NYC in the 50's. The outstanding
performers kept the amazingly difficult show going with fantastic
pace and precision of choreography and vocals alike. The
crudeness was not added. Originally, Anita was beginning to be
raped when Doc enters the room. Most people have seen the film
and that is what they remember. The film is different and songs
are in different places and sung by other characters. The ONLY
changes in this production are the addition of Spanish in less
than 5% of the show, which adds to the racial tension of the
piece, and that Anybodys sings Somewhere, which results in a
heart-breaking new moment in the show. The show is
OUTSTANDING and please don't miss it! Thrilled this amazing
show is here! ... Read more
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