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Geeky Gush Post Alert!

Last night, West Side Story returned to Broadway. The long awaited revival is finally here of what I believe to be as the greatest musical of all time.  Now I know the idea of the greatest musical ever made it a debatable thing and others will not agree.  And for me for most of my life West Side Story wasn't even my favorite musical.  I didn't always get it or appreciate it for what it was.  I had so many different ones that I held dear from my childhood.  Blame it on Babs who raised me and Bridget on them, likely because her mother raised her and her siblings on them.   

Well it is hands down the best there is. 

The 1961 movie of West Side Story is likely the common experience most people have with this musical.  And it is likely that it is the best showcase of how truly great this piece is - the way to get it to the masses.   And just look at the unbelievable talent that created this amazing musical - Leonard Bernstein (score), one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century, Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), one of the most successful modern musical composers/lyricists and Jerome Robbins (director/choreographer), arguably the greatest American Ballet/Broadway choreographer that ever lived.  I could go on and on about the genius of Robbins and the fact that this was Sondheim's first musical credit but then we would be bordering on insanity.   Now while the original Broadway production was successful it was overshadowed when it was released the same season as the more mainstream The Music Man.  It was the movie that finally got it the praise and credit it deserved. 

Now the movie isn't perfect.  But it is damn close.   The great shining achievement of the movie is the spectacular dance numbers, all done by Robbins (he was the co-director of the movie) and basically mirror everything he staged when he directed the original Broadway production.   But none are more perfect than this scene, which features the real star of the movie, Rita Moreno as Anita. 

Now that dance number along with the Prologue and Cool are what anchors the movie, along with outstanding performances by the supporting characters.   The supporting characters of Anita, Bernardo and Riff are the best characters, while in the movie the two leads are weaker.  Natalie Wood is beautiful as Maria so she isn't really the problem for me.   The problem was with the actor they cast as Tony.  He stunk.  I never bought it.  He doesn't work as Tony.  Just imagine how fabulous the movie would have been if the studio had listened to Jerome Robbins and cast Warren Beatty as Tony instead of Richard Beymer.  

So back to the revival.   This morning the New York Times reviewed Opening Night and they gave it a good overall review.   The critic said that once again the star of the show was the actress playing Anita and that in this new version, which is also intermixed with more Latin culture,  portrayed the rival gangs as much more sympathetic then they ever were before.    Ben Brantley, who wrote the review, also said that the two leads played by Matt Cavenaugh and Josefina Scaglione pull of what has been very hard to pull of with this show - that Tony and Maria really are in love.    With the movie I never full got that; in a way the love story was secondary.   So I am thrilled to hear that these two actors got that impression across to the audience.  

But the NY Times is not the only media giant talking up the revival of Story.   My favorite magazine is as well.   Look at these gorgeous photos done by Vanity Fair to honor the return and legacy of West Side Story.   Features Jennifer Lopez as Anita,  Camilla Belle as Maria and Chris Evans as Riff.   Also seen in 2 of the 10 photos, the lovely Robert Pattinson of Edward Cullen fame!  Bravo VF!  Bravo!  

Vanity Fair Pictures 

Full New York Times Review