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| Ana Paula Malagón as Maria and Jeffrey Brian Adams as Tony fall in love in 'West Side Story." (Mark & Tracy photo) |
Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” four
giants of 20th century musical theater created a timeless classic,
“West Side Story,” being presented by Hillbarn Theatre.
The concept came from Jerome Robbins, who directed
and choreographed the 1957 original. He was joined by Arthur Laurents for the
book, then-newcomer Stephen Sondheim for the lyrics and Leonard Bernstein for the
memorable music.
Besides its own merits, Hillbarn’s production honors
Bernstein’s centennial, which occurred only six days before the Aug. 31
opening.
Instead of the Bard’s feuding 16th-century
Italian families, “West Side Story” focuses on feuding street gangs in New York
City in the 1950s. One is the Sharks, who are recently arrived Puerto Ricans.
The other is the Jets, who are mainland-born white Americans.
In his program note, artistic director Dan Demers
writes of the show’s “unflinching engagement with contemporary concerns of
racial unrest, urban gang violence, rape, immigration, and confrontations with the
police.” He adds that the nation is still dealing with those divisive issues.
Caught between the gangs are star-crossed lovers
Tony (Jeffrey Brian Adams), who founded the Jets but is pulling away, and Maria
(Ana Paula Malagón), a Puerto Rican whose brother is a Shark. Their story
doesn’t end happily.
Before it ends, though, the show offers some
terrific dancing and one memorable song after another.
Music director Rick Reynolds adroitly leads the
singers and 14-member orchestra through Bernstein’s intricate rhythms and
soaring melodies.
Adams and Malagón have convincing chemistry and sing
well alone and together. Malagón has an operatic voice she showcases in their
touching duet, “One Hand, One Heart,” as well in ensembles like “Tonight” and
“I Feel Pretty.”
Other great songs include “Something’s Coming,”
“America,” “Somewhere” and more.
Director Erica Wyman Abrahamson, choreographer Kim
Harvath and fight choreographer Zoë Swenson-Graham efficiently marshal the
large cast on the small stage, overcoming the drab set by Ting Na Wang.
Costumes by Raven Winter and lighting by Pamila Gray
complement the production, but the sound by Grant Huberty is spotty.
Eye- and throat-irritating theatrical haze (a lobby
sign announces its use) unnecessarily permeates the stage and audience.
Running about two and a half hours with one
intermission, “West Side Story” will continue through Sept. 16 at Hillbarn
Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.
