The stunning first minutes of "West Side Story" are a reminder that musicals were once works of art as well as commerce. With a book by Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents, music by the giant Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by legendary Stephen Sondheim and original choreography and direction by the virtuoso Jerome Robbins, the creativity on board is overwhelming.
With each master creating some of his finest work, we see a beautiful, timeless story unfold. The current national tour of the 2009 Broadway revival production now at the Community Center Theater features Laurents' Broadway direction re-created for the tour by David Saint. The original Robbins choreography so central to this production is reproduced by Joey McKneely.
In the opening dance, "Prologue," strolling neighborhood teenagers gradually morph into arrogant gangs, intensely pitted against each other. The elegant and athletic ballet that ensues highlights the powerful dance ensemble and the importance the dancing has in this production.
The gangs are the homegrown Anglos, the Jets, and the supposedly interloping Puerto Ricans, the Sharks. The two groups uneasily share the same scrappy Upper West Side New York City turf, and neither one is making a concession to the other.
Ross Lekites' Tony has grown weary of the unending battles for meaningless pieces of asphalt and, like his historical counterpart Romeo, he longs for a different life. Formerly a leader of the Jets, Tony wants to leave the gang behind. In his wistful ballad "Something's Coming," Lekites grasps Tony's yearning and he's soon joined by Evy Ortiz's equally soulful Maria. Like her predecessor Juliet, Maria has been promised to another by her brother Bernardo (the electric German Santiago).
But fate brings Maria and Tony together, and they fall in love before barely knowing each other's name in the glorious "Dance at the Gym." The poetic course of their ill-fated romance encompasses some of the most memorable songs, including "Maria," "Tonight," "America" and "Cool."
Other songs worth mentioning are a Spanish-based take on "I Feel Pretty ("Me Siento Hermosa") and a lively and humorous "Gee, Officer Krupke." Along with the lush-voiced leads, there are standout performances from Santiago and the compelling Michelle Aravena as his girlfriend, the courageous Anita who becomes Maria's confidante.
Conductor John O'Neill's rich, full-sounding orchestra gives Bernstein's vibrant score a terrific outing with the punchy brass and poetic strings. This is one of the all-time classics in as fine a form as you could want to see it done.
WEST SIDE STORY
four stars
What: One of the all-time great musicals, written by two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents and multiple Tony and Grammy winners Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
Where: At the Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento.
When: 8 p.m. today through Saturday; matinees 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets: $19-$86
Information: (916) 557-1999, www.californiamusicaltheatre.com.
Running time: Two hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.
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Call The Bee's Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120.
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