Marriott's 'West Side Story': Meet a girl named Maria, and ask who's minding our children
It was May 2019—which is to say, a lifetime ago—when last this site had something to say about the musical masterpiece, West Side Story. Opining on the genius of Stephen Sondheim, reviewer Patrick O’Brien connected Sondheim’s Story lyrics to his decades-later Into the Woods score/lyrics. Both offer the same query: Who is minding our children?
Anyone keeping up with any news lately no doubt responds: Great question! Just this week—more guns in schools, but let’s ban books. And in Florida, can’t say “gay.”
People have lost their minds.
And so maybe it’s the perfect time to revisit a Story that, yes, has its fair share of onstage adolescent carnage, but also offers its tempering with a Jerome Robbins ballet breaking out mid-stabbing. Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is doing just that, with a brilliant Victor Malana-Maog-directed, Alex Sanchez-choreographed production that's as well-danced, well-sung and well-acted as any before staged.
The well-known musical chronicle of the Tony (Romeo) and Maria (Juliet) love affair, featuring two opposing members of a 1950s New York cultural and gang war, is among America’s most beloved. (A full show history and synopsis is found here.) Based on William Shakespeare‘s play, this work of four musical theatre luminaries—Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), Sondheim (lyrics) and Robbins (choreography)—opened on Broadway in 1957 and has played “Somewhere” ever since.
But nowhere around here since 2019 which, as previously noted, was forever ago. Although, a Broadway reimagination opened to mixed reviews in 2020 and announced it was not returning post-COVID. Also Steven Spielberg’s big screen revival premiered days after Sondheim’s death in November, is Oscar-bound and thus playing not just “Somewhere,” but “Everywhere” these days.
Back at the Marriott, Malana-Maog’s Sharks and Jets exude real, mindless racial hatred. He lets the material speak, sing and play for itself, utilizing Robbins’/Sanchez’s brilliant choreography and casting a giant team of nearly 30 young, energetic, insanely talented hoofers and singers to do their thing.
Tender and sweet Marriott newcomers Lauren Maria Medina and Jake David Smith make operatic entrances as Maria and Tony with earnest innocence transforming, particularly in Medina’s case, into tragically guttural understanding. Their seconds are second to none as Vanessa Aurora Sierra’s Anita celebrates both the character’s and actor’s Puerto Rican heritage in a role she was born to play; most memorable are her truly jaw-dropping dance moves. So, too, Gary Cooper as Bernardo and Drew Redington as Riff lead their gangs and the whole gang through a wonderful two-plus hours of top-quality entertainment.
Medina’s gorgeous duets with Smith—”Tonight,” “One Hand, One Heart” and “Somewhere”; “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” with Sierra; and the lovely, playful “I Feel Pretty” quintet are personal favorites. So, too, Smith’s “Something’s Coming,” sets the vocal bar early in the production, and his “Maria” is tenderly signature.
Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s scenery in Marriott’s in-the-round presentation is mostly chain-link representational but features a nifty, lit second tier (there has to be a balcony, for goodness’ sake). Added backstage plaudits to Amanda Vander Byl’s lovely costumes and, always, to Conductor Patti Garwood’s terrific, professional musicians.
All these fabulous efforts combine to provide a simultaneous escape and examination of our world, leaving this production’s fortunate patrons ever changed—by meeting a girl named Maria.
West Side Story runs through March 27 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. For tickets or more information, please click here.