West Side Story

By Siham Toloa

Suddenly, there was a dizzying whirl of lights and applause. The Palace Theatre rang with cheers and whoops of joy. The cast of West Side Story takes their final bows, in elaborate costumes and dazzling smiles. They step back in-sync and the curtain descends with a grand gesture of a sad farewell. West Side Story is a must-see Broadway production.

The cast displays perfectly the heartbreaking story of two star-crossed lovers. The dancing, singing, and well-delivered lines keep the audience enthralled and slightly riveted. The scenic design by James Youmans brings the audience back to a time of poverty and hostilities between neighbors. The costume design by David C. Woolard leaves no doubt in one’s mind of the fashion once so popular in New York City. This Broadway musical is a must-see due to the fact it was originally directed and choreographed by one of the most famous theater artists of all time, Jerome Robbins. 

West Side Story is not only a tragic musical, but it also gives a good dose of the giggles. It’s witty and touching with its mesmerizing characters. One can fall in love with Anita (Natalie Cortez) and her accent and loyalty to the Sharks. Tony (Matthew Hydzik) gives the viewers an energetic and almost soft kindness that radiates from his booming voice and twinkling eyes. Maria (Sarah Amengual) balances out the chaotic and racing scenes with her innocent laughs and compassionate will.

The conductor lets the music flow from his fingertips, and the actors react. They jump and twirl, glide and soar to the ongoing music. The music slowly spreads to the audience, throbbing through their veins and hammering against their hearts. They envision being on stage swaying with the pulsating rhythms. The lights dim, bringing in Tony and Maria for their secret meeting. Little do they know that they are silently saying goodbye.

In one unforgettable scene, a hush falls over the audience as the ominous fence descends, giving the viewers goose bumps. The actors come on stage, the Jets to the right and the Sharks to the left. The gangs are full of anticipation for the upcoming fight. The pent up anger and frustration show on all who are present. The Rumble is ready to begin. The Jets pick Diesel (Colt Prattes) a stocky, muscular gang member. The Sharks decide on their leader, Bernardo. The fight is about to start. The two men are circling each other; the tension is increasing, then BAM! Tony comes in. He is here to stop the fight completely for Maria’s sake. By this time the crowd is gnawing on their fingers ready to jump up and shout. Tony is trying to reason but nobody will have it. They want blood. So, they pull Tony away and hold him while Bernardo and Riff (the leaders of both gangs) fight. Riff (John Arthur Greene) goes in for the kill; he’s swooping down on Bernardo with every intention to end his life. Tony escapes and grabs Riff before he plunges his pocket knife into Bernardo’s chest. Riff is incensed, pushes Tony away and returns to deal the deadly blow. The knife is then thrust into Riff’s chest. Bernardo kills Riff. Tony, enraged, lunges at Bernardo with Riff’s pocket knife. Two deaths. Two wasted lives.  Mayhem ensues, as the gangs attack each other. Death is on everyone’s mind. The curtain falls down with crash of tears. This scene was the climax of the musical. Here, the spectators are trying to piece together what they thus far learned. This is the scene that gives the musical a tragic demeanor.

With something so tragic one needs a smile filled with mischief. In comes the song “Gee, Officer Krupke.” This song lightens up the mood a bit. It is fast and witty. Officer Krupke views the Jets as hooligans, no-good criminals. So the Jets, to momentarily forget their recent gang members’ deaths, pretend to portray their innocence to Officer Krupke. They ridicule the justification that the authorities employ to trim down the reality of being a hooligan. They lighten up the thick atmosphere with humor and amusing double theatrics. Like a play within a play.

West Side Story is something entirely different when audiences can actually see the drama unfold in front of their very eyes. The actors performed miraculously and in beat. I would definitely return for an encore performance. I thoroughly fell in love with the scenes, the music, the dancing, and the songs. I fell in love with the very essence the actors were releasing.