The Asolo Repertory Theatre has presented a lot of wonderful musical productions in the last few years, but they now seem like preludes to the glorious version of “West Side Story” that left Friday’s opening night crowd giddy with excitement.
The Jets dance in a scene from 'West Side Story" at Asolo Repertory Theatre. CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/ASOLO REP
The musical inspired by “Romeo and Juliet” and set in the gang-filled streets of New York in the mid 1950s may be nearing 60 years old, but it remains alive and vibrant in the production directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely. He follows the blueprint of the original staging by Jerome Robbins (why would you want to change it?) while giving it his own spin with a gorgeous cast of singers and dancers.
Director Joey McNeely stages 'West Side Story' meant to feel like the first time
This cast sweeps you up as if for the first time into the ethnic rivalries and the romance between Tony, a leader of the American Jets, and Maria, the young sister of the leader of the Puerto Rican Sharks, depicted in Arthur Laurent's book and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics..
Leonard Bernstein’s still fresh score pulses through the show, adding to the tension between the gang members who display bravado in their angry breathing, death stares and hunched shoulders, but we can see that they’re really just scared kids underneath.
Jenna Burns as Maria and Marc Koeck as Tony in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "West Side Story." CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/ASOLO REP
That rivalry explodes in dance routines that combine grace with athletic fury until it all comes together in a climatic rumble that transforms everyone on the stage and in the audience.
And then Tony and Maria take us into a heavenly dreamland of a more peaceful world during an ethereal singing of “Somewhere.” Everyone wears white and dances together, making us wish for that kind of unity, especially on a night when Paris exploded in terrorist attacks.
Ann Hould-Ward’s costumes cleverly define the two sides with the Jets in black and white and the Sharks wearing bright colors. The costumes suit the off-kilter look of Lee Savage’s set with its heavily angled brick buildings and fire escapes, suggesting that no one is safe. And it’s all lit with intelligence and emotion by Brian Nason.
Mary Antonini as Anita and Andrés Acosta as Bernardo with the Sharks in a scene from the Asolo Rep production of "West Side Story." CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/ASOLO REP
None of that would mean anything without performances that make you understand and care about the characters, beginning with the the swoony Tony played by Marc Koeck and the lovely Jenna Burns as his well-matched Maria. They have rich, vibrant voices that sound beautiful on “Tonight” and “One Hand, One Heart.” My one, tiny complaint is that Koeck loses the tough-city accent when he’s singing, but I wouldn’t want to change a thing about the way he sounds in his moving “Maria.” The songs gain extra vibrancy through the beautiful performance of a large orchestra led by music director Donald Chan.
They are well supported by Andrés Acosta as Bernardo, whose sense of rage is palpable, as is his understandable passion for Mary Antonini as his girlfriend, Anita, whose spirited attitude and dancing leads the Shark girls through a fun and fiery version of “America” before she shows her real heart in a powerful duet with Burns on “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love.”
Marc Koeck as Tony, left, talks with Amos Wolff as his best friend Riff, leader of the Jets, in "West Side Story" at Asolo Rep. CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/ASOLO REP
Amos Wolff is equally strong as Riff, who leads the Jets with strength through rumbles and a finger-snapping “Cool.” Kenn Christopher as Doc and Officer Krupke and Steven Sean Garland offer contrasting adult views of people of different cultures, and Brett Thiele takes charge with his Jets in a funny and energetic version of “Gee, Officer Krupke,” and there are terrific contributions from Virgil Matalau, Marilyn Caserta, Tahlia Joanna Byers, Daniel Russell and many others.
“West Side Story” emerged in a different era, but McKneely and his fine company make it all seem new even as world and local events continue to make “West Side Story” sadly relevant and contemporary.
THEATER REVIEW
"WEST SIDE STORY"
Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents. Directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely based on the original by Jerome Robbins. Reviewed Nov. 13, Asolo Repertory Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Through Dec. 27. Tickets start at $26. 351-8000; asolorep.org
