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| James D. Gish and Joy Del Valle Photo by Reg Madison Photography |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through October 14th.
"...West Side Story, which updates Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by setting it in 1950s New York City and pitting rival street gangs against each other, is receiving a strong and forceful production from Phoenix Theatre with enormously moving performances by Joy Del Valle and James D. Gish as Maria and Tony, the star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of a turf war....Director Michael Barnard has a firm grasp on what is required to derive emotionally rich performances from his cast. While the majority are delivering bold performances that are infused with anger, Joy Del Valle and James D. Gish, as Maria and Tony, achieve a rich sense of hope and joy in their portrayals, contributing beauty into the ugliness around them...In past productions I've often found it almost laughable how these two characters can fall in love so quickly, but in Del Valle and Gish's nuances performances, it seems entirely understandable...(as) the fierce, forceful and feisty character of Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend, and Alyssa Chiarello is simply superb in the part. ...Barnard's fast-paced direction brings a vibrancy and liveliness to the entire production...Alan Ruch's music direction achieves a beautiful and rich sound from the orchestra and cast. Choreographer Patti Colombo combines some original dance steps of her own with Jerome Robbins' original iconic and intricate choreography, which is all extremely well danced by the entire cast...West Side Story is a true classic as well as an emotionally moving piece of theatre with a timely and timeless message of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness that still rings true, more than sixty years after it premiered..... " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
"..What audiences will ultimately come away with...is Robert Kovach’s hugely effective scenic designs of an abstract New York and director Barnard’s exciting musical staging. Like the 'Prologue,' 'The Dance at the Gym,' the dream ballet sequence... plus the powerful “Tonight” Quintet, (the staging) of 'America' will take your breath away. And like the show itself, it’s quite spectacular...." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)
"...Michael Barnard's majestic staging of this musical classic...Robert Kovach sets the stage in simple and elevated lines within which the action moves from New York's mean streets to his detailed conceptions of a bridal shop, a bedroom, a drug store, and back. Daniel Davisson accentuates the mood shifts with dramatic washes of light. Alan Ruch's robust musical direction is a reminder that Bernstein's music and Sondheim's lyrics are the invariable co-stars of the show. Patti Colombo's coordination and amplification of Robbins' original choreography is stellar, enhanced by a company that moves with seamless agility and energy. Speaking of stars...James Gish and Joy Del Valle are captivating as Tony and Maria, the star-crossed lovers-at-first-sight. In fact, they are tremendous....The counterweight to their romantic idealism is the streetwise and sassy Anita, portrayed with elegance and panache by the marvelous Alyssa Chiarello. ...Barnard's production, like a well-weaved tapestry, is replete with a terrific ensemble and solid supporting performances..." - Herbert Paine, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)
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