West Side Story is just as exciting, vibrant, and moving today as it was when it was first created in 1957. Filled with timeless songs and choreographed dance numbers that are as original as they are visually stunning, West Side Story continues to delight audiences old and new, and Lyric Opera House’s latest offering of this musical masterpiece checks all the boxes. Conceived by Jerome Robbins with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein and book by Arthur Laurents, West Side Story is considered to be one of the best musicals ever created. One cannot help but be pulled in by the production’s engaging story, astounding vocal performances and original dance scenes that incorporate a fusion of ballet and modern dance.
Inspired by William Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story turns the feuding Monague and Capulet families and love-stricken teens, Romeo and Juliet, into a New York setting that has the white kid Jets fighting to keep the Puerto Rican Sharks out of their neighborhood. Romeo is replaced by Tony, the former leader of the Jets and Juliet becomes Maria, the sister of Sharks leader Bernardo. When Tony and Maria fall hopelessly in love at a neighborhood dance social, the two are immediately thrust beyond the racial barrier that has caused hate between the rivaling gangs and breaking free from their past will be nothing less than challenging.
The cast of West Side Story. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
In Lyric Opera House’s production of West Side Story we are met with stunning sets designed by Peter J. Davison that take us to a New York City neighborhood that gives us the feel of the musical’s late 1950’s era while implementing many touches of today’s world, as evidenced by the Bad Bunny poster hung on the wall of Maria’s room. Costume Designer Jessica Jahn also sprinkled in a mix of yesterday and today combining the white t-shirts, cuffed jeans, Converse All-Stars and flashy dresses that represented the late 1950’s with today’s skinny jeans, striped basketball pants and hairstyles that include shaved line designs and manbuns. I found the blended sets and costumes a bit confusing at first, but it does work. Perhaps the modern-esque makeover is done to remind theatergoers that racism didn’t just take place way back when but is also present in today’s world and that there is still plenty of work to do.
Brett Thiele as Riff and Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo in West Side Story at Lyric Opera House. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
This production has a special cast. Audience members are treated to sensational vocal performances by Ryan McCartan as Tony, Kanisha Feliciano as Maria. Both McCartan and Feliciana have show-stopping moments during their vocal performances and their chemistry feels natural. Lyric hits the jackpot with both and McCartan and Feliciano’s performances. While McCartan’s beautiful rendering of “Maria” is vocally superb and heartfelt, Feliciano’s captivating performance of “Somewhere” also delivers in grand fashion. Both have tremendous range and seem to effortlessly take their voices wherever they need to go.
Maria! I've just met a girl named Maria, And suddenly that name Will never be the same to me Maria! I've just kissed a girl named Maria, And suddenly I found How wonderful a sound can be Maria! Say it loud and there's music playing, Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Amanda Castro thoroughly embodies the strength of Anita, Bernardo’s girlfriend, and wows us with both her voice and her skilled dancing ability, particularly when leading the Shark Girls in a colorful rendition of “America”. Brett Reile as Jets leader Riff and Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo also play key roles in making this production as great as it is. Reile’s Riff is edgy and street tough perfectly personifying the “When you’re a Jet you’re a Jet all the way” modus operandi, while Echezarreta gives us a Bernardo who can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Of course, the ensemble is pivotal to the show’s success and this ensemble is just incredible and awes the crowd in one huge dance number after another.
Conducted by James Lowe and directed by Francesca Zambello, Lyric gives us a fresh take on the classic smash hit that audiences have been enjoying for the 60-plus years. West Side Story is a production for everyone. Its message of coming together still resonates today, and its fulgurous dance numbers and song performances will never become dated.
This brilliant production of West Side Story is being performed at the Lyric Opera House (20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago) through June 25th. The running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes one intermission. For tickets and/or more show information, click here.
Highly recommended.
