Theatre Under The Stars has returned to Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park for its 76th season, with West Side Story and Beauty And The Beast alternating nights until August 20th.
West Side Story, is filled with so many iconic songs by Leonard Berstein (score) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), that the story, based on Romeo and Juliet, can seem incidental. Jets Song, Maria, Tonight, America, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, Gee Officer Krumpke all elicit great cheer and humming along. Director Sarah Rodgers weaves the story, songs and dance successfully to create this TUTS production.
Even if some of the book tends to be a bit dated, the story of racial tensions and public and police prejudices resonates with today’s headlines. Riff played by Daniel James White leads The Jets against Alen Dominquez as Bernardo and The Sharks, both believably angry in their loathing of the other. With White easily carrying the weight of the chip on his shoulder for the first act.
Matt Montgomery’s Tony, trying to get out of the gang life, has an engaging stage presence and nice vocals (although not pitch-perfect throughout), that shows he’s one to watch in future. The same can be said for the wide-eyed innocence and powerful vocals of Jennifer Gillis as Maria. With a range like Kristin Chenoweth, there are moments of perfect harmony and chemistry between the star-crossed lovers. As Anita, the quality and experience of Alexandra Lainfiesta shines especially in her showpiece America and her emotional torment later in the second act.
With up to 35 cast members onstage and the conductor pit encroaching into the middle, there are times that the choreography feels crowded but the cast recreate Jerome Robbins’ stylistic original choreography, successfully mirrored by choreographer Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg. Brian Ball’s simple but creative industrial set design multitasks as the various locations while allowing the actors to take centerstage.
Theatre Under The Star’s West Side Story, provides an emotional but uplifting evening of song and dance. West Side Story plays alternate odd evenings at 8pm at Theatre Under The Stars in Malkin Bowl.