American classic ‘West Side Story’ at Theatre By The Sea

By Don Fowler
Posted 6/30/16

Here are two good reasons why you should see the American classic, “West Side Story” at Theatre-by-the-Sea: Bronson Norris Murphy and Evy Ortiz.

Murphy plays Tony, the “retired” member of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

American classic ‘West Side Story’ at Theatre By The Sea

Posted

Here are two good reasons why you should see the American classic, “West Side Story” at Theatre-by-the-Sea: Bronson Norris Murphy and Evy Ortiz.

Murphy plays Tony, the “retired” member of the Jets street gang, while Ortiz is Maria, sister of the Puerto Rican Sharks.

If you remember the story, taken from the pages of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and updated to the fifties, you know that Tony and Maria’s eyes meet at a school dance and the star-crossed lovers fall madly in love.

But the Jets and the Sharks are bitter enemies, and their love is headed for tragedy.

The musical is a bit dated, but some of the best music ever written for the Broadway stage lives on forever,

You won’t hear “Maria” sung any better than Murphy’s version, and Maria’s “I Feel Pretty” is as good as it gets. Together, they bring down the house with “Tonight”.

“West Side Story” is a long show-That’s the way they wrote them in the fifties-and the choreography dominates much of the action, as the two gangs clash in some of the best ballet and modern dance seen in a single musical.

Personally, I’ve seen enough versions, good and bad, of the dated musical, but I have to put this one, directed by Bob Richard, among the good ones.

One minor criticism: The members of the Jets look and act too much like college kids to be New York City gang members. Even David Costa-Cabral’s (One of R.I.’s top costume designers) could have toughened up their outfits.

The sets are fine for the small stage, and every available space is used for the many dance numbers.

If you want to hear Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s memorable score, you won’t hear it sung any better.

“West Side Story” is at Theatre-by-the-Sea in Matunuck through July 16. Call 782-8587 for tickets, ranging from $47 to $67.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here