Images: 
Total Rating: 
***3/4
Opened: 
November 13, 2015
Ended: 
December 27, 2015
Country: 
USA
State: 
Florida
City: 
Sarasota
Company/Producers: 
Asolo Repertory Company
Theater Type: 
Regional
Theater: 
Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts
Theater Address: 
5555 North Tamiami Trail
Phone: 
941-351-8000
Website: 
asolorep.org
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre: 
Musical
Author: 
Book: Arthur Laurents; Music: Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim; Based Originally on the Conception of Jerome Robbins
Director: 
Joey McKneely
Choreographer: 
Joey McKneely, reproducing Jerome Robbins
Review: 

In Asolo Rep’s five-year exploration of the American character, West Side Story begins the fourth by perfectly illustrating its emphasis on change and reactions to it. In the mid ‘60s, conflicts based on ethnic differences exploded on the national scene. They’re epitomized in the big-city musical created by geniuses of that genre. Add a focus on non-criminal, but still often deadly, formation of gangs, and you have a musical drama that is as current as classic.

The classic informing the book is Romeo and Juliet, with enemy families turned into rival street gangs, each hell bent on ruling their own territories. Accompanied by Leonard Bernstein’s powerful music, their mutual ugly facial and bodily expressions always threaten full physical violence.

You’re quickly aware of the colorfully dressed Puerto Rican Sharks led by Bernardo (Andres Acosta, full of anger) and their antagonism for the black-and-white clad Jets led by Riff (Amos Wolff, commanding).

Rivalries play out in furious dances within Lee Savage’s tilted brick backs of tenements with fire-escape balconies, a dangerous dance hall, and a scrawny street with Doc’s drugstore. There, former Jets head Tony (now clean-cut Marc Koeck) works and hopes for a better future. His hopes are dashed when he meets Maria (Jenna Burns, sweetly innocent). They fall in love, and his stepping in to make peace between Sharks and Jets ends in the death of one and leads to a final murderous confrontation.

You’ll appreciate Koeck’s Tony’s tender vocal falling for “Maria” and her equally vibrant voice anticipating with his a loving “Tonight.” Maria’s best friend Anita (vivacious Mary Antonini) warns her about “A Boy Like That” but, even though Anita loves the fiery Bernardo and his stance, they both justify their choices in the duet “I Have a Love.”

Anita has herself led her gang of girls in an uncompromising satiric song and dance about life for them in “America.” You feel she’ll figure in the cause of the climactic gang rumble. Everyone in the cast performs with brio, even--in their adult roles--Kenn Christopher as Doc and Officer Krupke and Steven Sean Garland as a police lieutenant and Glad Hand.

Enhancing the music and wonderfully choreographed dancing, a substantial orchestra led by Donald Chan seems a part of the action.

If I have any problem here, it’s with the direction that sometimes changes from realistic dramatic to presentational musical performance. It’s a bit disconcerting, for instance, on Maria’s bed to have her turn from Tony next to her to singing at the audience. You can find other instances when dancers play directly to you instead of their rivals. I’ve just seen three Broadway musicals with no such confusion, and I think eliminating it would make Asolo Rep’s season opener absolutely perfect.

Cast: 
Mark Koeck, Jenna Burns, Amos Wolfe, Brett Thiele, Michael Callahan, Sean Rollofson, Raynor Rubel, Daneiel Russell, Caleb Dicke, Andres Acosta, Travante S. Baker, James Gregory Jeffery, Virgil Matelau, Anthony Raimondi, Alejandro Fonseca, Kenn Christopheer, Steven Sean Garland, Tahlia Joanna Byers, Jenna Burns, Mary Antonini, Victoria Byrd, Marilyn Caserta, Isabelle McCalla, Michelle West, Brianna Abruzzo, Jill Gittleman, Kathryn Huxtable; Orchestra: Teri Booth, John Cooley, Matthew Dendy, Michael Duff, Thomas Durante, Tom Ellison, Carlann Evans, Paul Gavin, Susannah Kelly, Victor Mongillo, Aaron Nix, Janis Potter, Christian Regul, Bill Swartzbaugh, Kevin Wu
Technical: 
Set: Lee Savage; Costumes: Ann-Hould-Ward; Lighting: Brian Nason; Sound: Kevin Kennedy; Hair/Wigs/Makeup: Michelle Hart; Vocal Coach: Patricia Delorey; Production Stage Mgr: Kelly A. Borgia
Miscellaneous: 
Asolo Rep is presenting the United States premiere of <I>West Side Story</I> in Joey McKneely’s version that has previously had success internationally. In the Asolo production, the Hispanics and Americans of other descent are performed by a cast of these ethnic origins.
Critic: 
Marie J. Kilker
Date Reviewed: 
November 2015