I really liked this a lot. I think they did a fantastic job with the cinematography and the effects. It blended old and new together really well. I didn’t know what to expect but was pretty blown away. The scene in Docs at the end was not necessary. I really wish they didn’t go there. I didn’t think they were going to cross the line. They didn’t need to but they did and that’s the most disappointing part about it. They also relied a bit to much on the screen at times but everything else was amazing.
@DJJ but did they make their skin lighter? Did those actors put white wigs on or make their skin look white? No. I'm talking about how my school DARKENED WHITE actors and put black wigs on them.
@DJJ for that show my school used white actors. Spray tanned them to appear darker, Made them get black wigs. So how does that compare to a show that only has people of color playing actors :(?
I am a HUGE WSS fan, but I was physically unable to buy tickets knowing I would be supporting the choice of casting known sexual abusers. It is when we stay quiet that the producers think... 'Oh, the people are stupid. They will forget, and we will get money'. (But meaner)
I personally like the mixed media approach to musical theatre. I saw the revival of Oklahoma which also used cameras that would live project to a screen on the back of the stage at times. It added a level of up close and personal to the show that you just don’t get with mezzanine seats. It can also make uncomfortable scenes feel more real, like the sexual assault of Anita in WSS or Curly threatening Judd and suggesting he kill himself in Oklahoma. Musical theatre is unique in that it isn’t limited to just one medium. And I think the future of musical theatre will embrace that.
I definitely want to see this if I can get to NYC some time in 2020! Would love to see Isaac Cole Powell after seeing him in "Once On This Island" in August 2018! Great video! Make more in 2020 buddy!
Hey Kevin, just wondering: Are you aware about the whole controversy behind the casting of Amar Ramasar (Bernardo), and if so, did that change your experience of watching the show?
It definitely changed my experience. It was very distracting because I felt disgust everyone he came on. Definitely not the love I feel for George Chakiris' portrayal.
@@AR36-45 that's why I'm hesitant about seeing it because of that, I'm really excited for this new modern take and 32 people making their debuts but I'm also disgusted that Amar's casting has overshadowed this....
@@AR36-45 hopefully this situation is a cautionary tale that will warn the dark part of the Broadway community, but besides that I really want to see this production and the remake soon.
It’s a hard no for me. I am old school.. i like to see musicals in their original format.... i don’t really care to see them in a new format, or different time periods. Just like operas.... once they change everything, i lose interest... so i just close my eyes and listen to the music...
ESQUI I can agree. Never been a fan of the original aesthetic of the show(too “entertaining” for me to look into the show’s darker elements), so I’m glad that this versions at least trying to do something new that doesn’t have to appeal to the commercial ionics of the original, and instead focus more on said darker elements. We already got all that flashiness in 2009 anyway, and there should be plenty of bootlegs for that I think. I’m still curious about the upcoming new film version by Stephen Spielberg and Tony Kushner, though(if this pandemic doesn’t change their plans to release it in theaters this Christmas, that is).
@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 same here. I can understand why some people hate it though. But I like the addition of black jets mixed in with white jets because it also show racism on the jets side ala the officer Krupke scene and the horrifying scene where anita is raped and the white jets force baby John onto her while the other black jets watch in horror. And also the darker themes of how society has failed children who are in lower parts is prevelant in the ending.
I love this trend of reinventing classic shows to fit a contemporary audience! The Lyric Opera of Chicago did a gorgeous production of WSS last year, and I'm glad seeing this production be so successful. I do hope they fix "Officer Krupke", though. I've noticed that the more lighthearted the Jets play it, the quicker you notice how horrifying the lyrics are
With so many African-Americans in the cast, I had NO desire to see that production in Chicago. There are so few jobs for Latinos as it is and the theater community, especially Broadway, is so full of shit with their alleged inclusion. They think there is only one minority group.
i wish you would have mentioned amar ramasar, who played bernardo, is a known sexual abuser and shouldn’t currently be in this show right now. i understand maybe not mentioning it if the production team GAVE you the tickets but still. that is currently what’s holding me back from seeing this production is the fact that the director literally cast him and then had the rest of the cast sign NDA’s so they’re not allowed to talk about it without fear of being sued. off of that, i knew immediately who you were talking about when you mentioned the contemporary feel of some of the other members of the cast. i know a few of the cast members just came from mean girls, most notably ben cook who played riff, so that might be where that’s coming from. i don’t think i’ve ever seen a video of him singing classical, all of his shows have been like newsies and tuck everlasting and of course, mean girls.
it's also possible he didnt know. I knew about the revival of the show and the things they were going to change but it wasnt until this comment I knew about any controversy relating to the show.
@@xanadude5973 It's funny how "liberals" have been blasted for giving work to people in situations like this but no one hold the public accountable for buying a ticket when they have prior knowledge. Just like the millions who watch football and don't concern themselves with many players who have domestic violence charges.
that one annoying soprano who did he sexually assault? Is the assault being ignored and buried , as usual ?? I have read about what occurred at NYCB, but I can’t find information about his assaults.
Hi Kevin, I watched your spoiler before I went to see the show this week. It was helpful actually. I also love the “tech”, and it was so cool. Since I watched you, I started subscribe and keep watching you almost every day!
Some months ago my mom was parking her car at Costco. Another older man also was parking his car. After they got out the man came up to my mom apologizing that he took her parking spot. She said in fact he did not and everything was ok. The man continued to tell her, “If you have ever seen the movie version of West Side Story I’m the guy who gets shot at the end.” He took out a picture of what he looked like back then. Speaking of spoiler alerts!
Cool story. LOL. I took your parking spot....ooops sorry.....also I was in this movie in the 1961....perhaps you've seen it? Either you're lying, your mother is or he is.
I love these Videos so much! I have tickets for this show...I'm going soon. I used to not want spoilers....but when i went to see Dear Evan Hanson...I had no clue what the story was about and I was going to cancel my tickets as my son's best friend passed away...he was like a son to me...he was always at our house...but to make a long story short my son convinced me to go and when i got what the show was about...I feel apart....omg...I cried so hard I had to leave. It was not a good experience for me. So now I try to find out about the show...lesson learned. Plus I love, love, LOVE Kevin's videos! :-)
This broadway revival sucked by the way. From a technical/production standpoint it was good, but the fact that the show was crunched into a 1hr 45 min show really shows. They removed "I Feel Pretty", which is debatably the most famous song from the show, and even though they try to "modernize", it still retains the dated '50s lingo (like "daddy-o"), which made it feel dissonant. It just felt like it was trying to hard to be a modern Hamilton-esque show. Just stick to the movie version.
The facial expression acting was just as point on stage as they were in the interior scenes. This piece could have been as much a meditation on the art of theatre and the duality of stage and screen acting as it is about the source material. I needed Ivo to commit more to his choice to include camerawork in his piece. I rate it 3.5/5 stars.
i bought tickets for wss for april for my boyfriend and i and i read that they set it in modern times which i thought was interesting but i get where they’re coming from. i’m just a person that loves time period pieces especially 40s-70s which wss is set in those times but i’m excited to see it and know what they did
marklbetya Stephen Sondheim himself has said that he’s not super happy with the work he did on the song. It’s only function in the show is to provide a little bit of levity, and it’s also hella dated in terms of Maria’s happiness hinging on a man’s opinion of her.
@@devonspencerlynch9801You may be right about Sondheim, but a) this show DOES need this bit of levity. b) it's funny as hell c) I disagree about it being dated. She's not happy just because of a man's opinion. She's happy because she's in love and he feels the same way. How on earth is that dated?
@@devonspencerlynch9801 Oh please. What planet are you from? And the song serves a very serious purpose in the show and it's idiotic to cut it. Yes, it does have some flawed lyrics but the "man's opinion" crap you are speaking of....get a grip.
Nick Mayor it’s true he has said it in interviews multiple times also I feel pretty is an act 2 opener this version of WSS doesn’t have an intermission
He's talking about Krupke. I saw the show a couple of nights ago-- love the musical but did not like this production-- and Krupke is made to be quite nasty. I'm not going to spoil with specifics, but he's a violent and volatile character in this show, which doesn't match the silly song about him.
Thanks for clarifying that. I think you make a good point that making Krupke dark accords ill with the song about Krupke. I would say the whole reason that comedy song references Krupke rather than the more important character Schrank is that Schrank is a genuinely intimidating figure, whereas Krupke is a buffoon. I realize you're trying not to give too much away, but: does Krupke have more lines in this production, or does this different characterization manifest in physical business?
I don’t understand how the cameras work? This is probably stupid but does anyone actually walk on stage or is it just filmed live and projected onto a screen?
Rebecca Standen I saw it- the cameras are walking around the stage! The camera workers change costumes with each scene so they blend in more, and it’s really cool to see the different angles on the screen in the back!
so i'm sitting here loving your review of this show and then you brought up all in the family and i literally yelled bc i feel like no one knows that show anymore!!!
Were the videographers present throughout the entire show or only parts of the show for the preview you attended? I saw it last night and I found the videography aspect to be very inconsistent, they mostly used it for the interior scenes which was wonderful, but I really wish they choreographed the videographers for the onstage action as well. It just left me puzzling as to why they chose to only project certain aspects of the show on the big screen. I see what Ivo *may* have been trying to convey with this effect, but in the end it just felt like he was being lazy with only choreographing videographers for half the show. It felt very incomplete. And sometimes the videography was focused on minor players projected on the big screen which distracted focus from the leads.
I enjoyed the rain effect, but it went on too long and felt kind of gimmicky. They could have also done more with the lighting design. I was expecting this piece to feel more experimental.
Chloe !! Overhyped. The musical was stripped bare, but the ideas were not fully realized or present enough. Very underwhelming, but the performances are strong
I thought it was one of the most impactful pieces of theatre I've ever seen, if not the most impactful. It's been months and I can't stop thinking about it. I thought the ideas were perfectly present enough if you thought about it. Also, the chili was very good!
It's not all filmed. They did it live. They had people with cameras running around the stage and had a live feed going to the massive screen. Pretty interesting.
It’s a well worn Ivo van Hove device. If you live in London you would have seen it used countless times in his shows. It may feel fresh in the US - though it was used well in Network - but in London it’s become a total cliche. Much like another London theatre - the Almeida- which is over using setting plays in a glass box. I only this West Side Story is actually fully directed by the Belgian directed: he is so ‘busy’ at the moment he’s been leaving much of the work in Europe to assistant directors.
I was disappointed and I love love West Side Story. The prolog ballet was missing and there was no balcony. How can you sing tonight without a balcony? The 1957 stage version had a balcony so with all the buildings on the screen why not? OBTW I am a WSS purist.
idk how i feel about the jets having a realization about racism. The jets are villainous because they're racist against the sharks. why would they have malice and then turn around and act victimized
Okay really I’m surprised you don’t get the point of officer krupke?? It’s about police brutality?? Like it’s telling about the corrupt racism of cops and their bigotry
I saw West Side Story tonight and thought it bastardized the original to the point of idiocy. Some songs were done completely out of sequence. For example, “Cool” was done before the Rumble where Riff and Bernardo die...WTF? That songs entire meaning is after the rumble scene when they lose Riff. What was also bizarre is Riff sings “Cool” in the show and should have been dead for that song. “Ice” is supposed to sing cool after Riff and Benardo are killed. Blasphemy! They also perform Officer Krupke, a song that is lighthearted and fun right after the rumble’s death scene. Seriously? They sing the song with blood all over them. Hello?? The director of this show must have been on opioids. On top of all this, no finger snapping!!! Huh?? That is an iconic element. They disrespected a masterpiece!
Michael I think you’re confusing the track list with the movie version. In the actual stage musical, “Cool” is always before the rumble and sung by Riff. Ice was an added character in the film. “Cool” and “Gee, Officer Krupke” switched spots for the film because there would be tonal problems had they stayed in their original spots.
I don’t think I can understand a one act west side story. It seems like a show where an intermission is kinda vital to just take a breath after two main characters die. Even just a quick five minutes to turn on the lights, take a breath, and then jump back in
I know that you are not held to the same standard as a professional critic but I personally don't think that someone who genuinely loves Broadway would review a show SO far i advance of it's opening night. I don't think that's fair or ethical. That being said, I have NO desire to see this production. I find the casting of African-Americans as Jets so offensive.
You know Sondheim has always hated “I Feel Pretty” right? Also it’s purpose is to be a placement for act 2 and this production doesn’t have an intermission 😂
Who cares if Sondheim hates it? The WORLD loves it ... and ... it’s part of the fucking show! The time to remove it would have been during tryouts in 1957! Let’s agree to disagree. The revival sucks and I predict it’ll close quickly after the Wuhan virus quarantine.... if it reopens at all.
So they SJW'd the show and added some tech. Yawn. More Broadway virtue signalling. Knowing that, of course they cut "I Feel Pretty," I'm surprised they didn't rework the lyrics of the song to "I am brainy, oh so brainy, my looks aren't important at all...." I'm a little shocked they didn't make Maria trans or non binary at this point.
They probably cut “I Feel Pretty” because they felt for this revival it was irrelevant and would stop the story plus they wanted to keep the story within 1act (48 hours in the time period of the story) with no intermission
This was a terrible production. Modernization is fine if done right but this wasn’t. The camera man walking around on the stage was such a huge distraction. What the camera man films is projected in the screen behind, but the screen behind has a small “set” inside where the actions of the actors are also projected in the screen. This is such a strange setting that takes away the charm of live performances on stage. The scene after “Tonight” was also ridiculous. Each gang members pull Tony and Maria to their side which is supposed to be a symbolic gesture, but it just reminded me of Michaelangelo’s painting. And really....the gangs that have a cell phone is not what I imagined in West Side Story.
SPOILER ALERT: West Side Story is an awesome musical.
Andro mache It was a joke about spoiling a musical that's 60+ years old. 😉
I really liked this a lot. I think they did a fantastic job with the cinematography and the effects. It blended old and new together really well. I didn’t know what to expect but was pretty blown away. The scene in Docs at the end was not necessary. I really wish they didn’t go there. I didn’t think they were going to cross the line. They didn’t need to but they did and that’s the most disappointing part about it. They also relied a bit to much on the screen at times but everything else was amazing.
@Andro mache Liked this one better than 2009 and is it a problem if people like this version of the musical?
@Andro mache So you are saying that everyone who likes this "reimagined" version of West Side Story is automatically wrong. Wow bro. Wow.
Chris Brown That assault scene was in the original so....
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Not a soul:
Kevin: Tony gets FUKIN’ shot, and dies.
WSS is all great and all until your highschool does it and spray tans the actors, and puts black wigs on them 😬
RetroIdk big yikes
Same for me but in hairspray.... no idea why our teacher allowed it to happen
@DJJ but did they make their skin lighter? Did those actors put white wigs on or make their skin look white? No. I'm talking about how my school DARKENED WHITE actors and put black wigs on them.
@DJJ for that show my school used white actors. Spray tanned them to appear darker, Made them get black wigs. So how does that compare to a show that only has people of color playing actors :(?
@DJJ Not the same thing, not even remotely and you don't sound bright enough to know the difference.
I am a HUGE WSS fan, but I was physically unable to buy tickets knowing I would be supporting the choice of casting known sexual abusers. It is when we stay quiet that the producers think... 'Oh, the people are stupid. They will forget, and we will get money'. (But meaner)
Was very iffy about how this show was going to turn out, very glad that you saw it yourself. Now I can't wait to get tickets for this show!!
I personally like the mixed media approach to musical theatre. I saw the revival of Oklahoma which also used cameras that would live project to a screen on the back of the stage at times. It added a level of up close and personal to the show that you just don’t get with mezzanine seats. It can also make uncomfortable scenes feel more real, like the sexual assault of Anita in WSS or Curly threatening Judd and suggesting he kill himself in Oklahoma. Musical theatre is unique in that it isn’t limited to just one medium. And I think the future of musical theatre will embrace that.
We’re not gonna talk about Amar? Ok...
Oh ... the fact that a SEXUAL PREDATOR is cast in one of the leads? Yea... let's not discuss that.
He may not have known though or maybe he can’t talk about it for whatever reason we may never know
@@PTR80 that should be in a separate video...
what are your thoughts on amar ramasar being cast
I definitely want to see this if I can get to NYC some time in 2020! Would love to see Isaac Cole Powell after seeing him in "Once On This Island" in August 2018!
Great video! Make more in 2020 buddy!
Hey Kevin, just wondering: Are you aware about the whole controversy behind the casting of Amar Ramasar (Bernardo), and if so, did that change your experience of watching the show?
What’s the controversy?
It definitely changed my experience. It was very distracting because I felt disgust everyone he came on. Definitely not the love I feel for George Chakiris' portrayal.
@@AR36-45 that's why I'm hesitant about seeing it because of that, I'm really excited for this new modern take and 32 people making their debuts but I'm also disgusted that Amar's casting has overshadowed this....
@@chazofalsa Completely understand. It's my favorite musical/movie ever but I feel conflicted that I paid to see a musical with him in it.
@@AR36-45 hopefully this situation is a cautionary tale that will warn the dark part of the Broadway community, but besides that I really want to see this production and the remake soon.
Anyone want him to do a review of just Ben Cook? Just me?
Literally yes I’m trying to find a slime tutorial but I can’t sadly
i saw you there! we made eye contact at one point but i got too nervous to say anything 😂
It’s a hard no for me. I am old school.. i like to see musicals in their original format.... i don’t really care to see them in a new format, or different time periods. Just like operas.... once they change everything, i lose interest... so i just close my eyes and listen to the music...
If the revival is the same as the original it’s a bad revival
Honestly, in this time period, this show REALLY needed a revival.
ESQUI I can agree.
Never been a fan of the original aesthetic of the show(too “entertaining” for me to look into the show’s darker elements), so I’m glad that this versions at least trying to do something new that doesn’t have to appeal to the commercial ionics of the original, and instead focus more on said darker elements.
We already got all that flashiness in 2009 anyway, and there should be plenty of bootlegs for that I think.
I’m still curious about the upcoming new film version by Stephen Spielberg and Tony Kushner, though(if this pandemic doesn’t change their plans to release it in theaters this Christmas, that is).
@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 same here. I can understand why some people hate it though. But I like the addition of black jets mixed in with white jets because it also show racism on the jets side ala the officer Krupke scene and the horrifying scene where anita is raped and the white jets force baby John onto her while the other black jets watch in horror. And also the darker themes of how society has failed children who are in lower parts is prevelant in the ending.
I love this trend of reinventing classic shows to fit a contemporary audience! The Lyric Opera of Chicago did a gorgeous production of WSS last year, and I'm glad seeing this production be so successful.
I do hope they fix "Officer Krupke", though. I've noticed that the more lighthearted the Jets play it, the quicker you notice how horrifying the lyrics are
With so many African-Americans in the cast, I had NO desire to see that production in Chicago. There are so few jobs for Latinos as it is and the theater community, especially Broadway, is so full of shit with their alleged inclusion. They think there is only one minority group.
i wish you would have mentioned amar ramasar, who played bernardo, is a known sexual abuser and shouldn’t currently be in this show right now. i understand maybe not mentioning it if the production team GAVE you the tickets but still. that is currently what’s holding me back from seeing this production is the fact that the director literally cast him and then had the rest of the cast sign NDA’s so they’re not allowed to talk about it without fear of being sued.
off of that, i knew immediately who you were talking about when you mentioned the contemporary feel of some of the other members of the cast. i know a few of the cast members just came from mean girls, most notably ben cook who played riff, so that might be where that’s coming from. i don’t think i’ve ever seen a video of him singing classical, all of his shows have been like newsies and tuck everlasting and of course, mean girls.
Agree 100%.
Bad form.
it's also possible he didnt know. I knew about the revival of the show and the things they were going to change but it wasnt until this comment I knew about any controversy relating to the show.
@@xanadude5973 It's funny how "liberals" have been blasted for giving work to people in situations like this but no one hold the public accountable for buying a ticket when they have prior knowledge. Just like the millions who watch football and don't concern themselves with many players who have domestic violence charges.
that one annoying soprano who did he sexually assault? Is the assault being ignored and buried , as usual ?? I have read about what occurred at NYCB, but I can’t find information about his assaults.
Hi Kevin, I watched your spoiler before I went to see the show this week. It was helpful actually. I also love the “tech”, and it was so cool. Since I watched you, I started subscribe and keep watching you almost every day!
Aw I'm glad!!
I literally was just watching west side story the movie then I saw you posted this
Arthur Bhutic ...
Can you review, “Jagged Little Pill Musical”? Thanks.
Some months ago my mom was parking her car at Costco. Another older man also was parking his car. After they got out the man came up to my mom apologizing that he took her parking spot. She said in fact he did not and everything was ok. The man continued to tell her, “If you have ever seen the movie version of West Side Story I’m the guy who gets shot at the end.” He took out a picture of what he looked like back then. Speaking of spoiler alerts!
Cool story. LOL.
I took your parking spot....ooops sorry.....also I was in this movie in the 1961....perhaps you've seen it?
Either you're lying, your mother is or he is.
You saw West Side Story! Lucky! Love your channel! Happy new year!
I saw it opening night of previews- it was so amazing I was just in awe the whole time
I think this show could’ve been amazing at the circle in the square theatre
It's way too large for that space.
I love these Videos so much! I have tickets for this show...I'm going soon. I used to not want spoilers....but when i went to see Dear Evan Hanson...I had no clue what the story was about and I was going to cancel my tickets as my son's best friend passed away...he was like a son to me...he was always at our house...but to make a long story short my son convinced me to go and when i got what the show was about...I feel apart....omg...I cried so hard I had to leave. It was not a good experience for me. So now I try to find out about the show...lesson learned. Plus I love, love, LOVE Kevin's videos! :-)
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Happy new year Kevin!
Great review! My mom wants to see it. I worked with one of the ensemble members in this. Love West Side Story!
This broadway revival sucked by the way. From a technical/production standpoint it was good, but the fact that the show was crunched into a 1hr 45 min show really shows. They removed "I Feel Pretty", which is debatably the most famous song from the show, and even though they try to "modernize", it still retains the dated '50s lingo (like "daddy-o"), which made it feel dissonant. It just felt like it was trying to hard to be a modern Hamilton-esque show. Just stick to the movie version.
You are among the lucky few who actually got to see this show. Fingers crossed they will bring it back when Broadway reopens.
happy new year, thanks for keeping me motivated to stay passionate about theatre
Happy New Year’s Eve Kevin, I love your channel!
The facial expression acting was just as point on stage as they were in the interior scenes. This piece could have been as much a meditation on the art of theatre and the duality of stage and screen acting as it is about the source material. I needed Ivo to commit more to his choice to include camerawork in his piece. I rate it 3.5/5 stars.
i bought tickets for wss for april for my boyfriend and i and i read that they set it in modern times which i thought was interesting but i get where they’re coming from. i’m just a person that loves time period pieces especially 40s-70s which wss is set in those times but i’m excited to see it and know what they did
They cut "I Feel Pretty"?! Hard pass.
marklbetya Stephen Sondheim himself has said that he’s not super happy with the work he did on the song. It’s only function in the show is to provide a little bit of levity, and it’s also hella dated in terms of Maria’s happiness hinging on a man’s opinion of her.
@@devonspencerlynch9801You may be right about Sondheim, but a) this show DOES need this bit of levity. b) it's funny as hell c) I disagree about it being dated. She's not happy just because of a man's opinion. She's happy because she's in love and he feels the same way. How on earth is that dated?
@@devonspencerlynch9801 Oh please. What planet are you from? And the song serves a very serious purpose in the show and it's idiotic to cut it. Yes, it does have some flawed lyrics but the "man's opinion" crap you are speaking of....get a grip.
Nick Mayor it’s true he has said it in interviews multiple times also I feel pretty is an act 2 opener this version of WSS doesn’t have an intermission
I'm wondering if you're confusing Officer Krupke with Lt. Schrank. Krupke hardly speaks at all.
He's talking about Krupke. I saw the show a couple of nights ago-- love the musical but did not like this production-- and Krupke is made to be quite nasty. I'm not going to spoil with specifics, but he's a violent and volatile character in this show, which doesn't match the silly song about him.
Thanks for clarifying that. I think you make a good point that making Krupke dark accords ill with the song about Krupke. I would say the whole reason that comedy song references Krupke rather than the more important character Schrank is that Schrank is a genuinely intimidating figure, whereas Krupke is a buffoon.
I realize you're trying not to give too much away, but: does Krupke have more lines in this production, or does this different characterization manifest in physical business?
@@davidabad469 Physical business
I caught the Houston Grand Opera production last year. WSS is all about the voice and the dance!
Same!! It was Amazing!
wait. what time is this set in? Because I thought it was the 60s. But Kevin mentioned the phone filming, so is this production modern?
This revival is supposed to take place in a more modern time.
Love your channel so much 😁
I don’t understand how the cameras work? This is probably stupid but does anyone actually walk on stage or is it just filmed live and projected onto a screen?
Rebecca Standen I saw it- the cameras are walking around the stage! The camera workers change costumes with each scene so they blend in more, and it’s really cool to see the different angles on the screen in the back!
Lydia Dances do the cameras ever block the view of the actors at all?
love west side story! thank you for this review! i've been in the show twice (once as maria) and i'm really hype to see this show on february 19th!
Sorry. They DESTROYED a CLASSIC!!
Ivo also loves plays where women point guns at the audience. He did the same thing in Hedda Gabler (she shoots into the audience).
I saw it last week and it was truly such a beautiful reimagining of a classic.
how do they cut one of the most iconic songs in the show !?
There is no way company will be as good as this
Tony Courant The West End Revival was pretty incredible tbh. I think it will give it a run for it's money. It's a great show
@@christiandorey3381 After Katrina Lenk's performance on New Year's eve people's expectations have dropped considerably.
Nick Mayor haven't seen it yet 😂😂
so i'm sitting here loving your review of this show and then you brought up all in the family and i literally yelled bc i feel like no one knows that show anymore!!!
Fire Amar Ramasar
Were the videographers present throughout the entire show or only parts of the show for the preview you attended? I saw it last night and I found the videography aspect to be very inconsistent, they mostly used it for the interior scenes which was wonderful, but I really wish they choreographed the videographers for the onstage action as well. It just left me puzzling as to why they chose to only project certain aspects of the show on the big screen. I see what Ivo *may* have been trying to convey with this effect, but in the end it just felt like he was being lazy with only choreographing videographers for half the show. It felt very incomplete. And sometimes the videography was focused on minor players projected on the big screen which distracted focus from the leads.
I enjoyed the rain effect, but it went on too long and felt kind of gimmicky. They could have also done more with the lighting design. I was expecting this piece to feel more experimental.
Did you get a chance to see the revival of Oklahoma? I would love to hear your opinion on it
Chloe !! Overhyped. The musical was stripped bare, but the ideas were not fully realized or present enough. Very underwhelming, but the performances are strong
I thought it was one of the most impactful pieces of theatre I've ever seen, if not the most impactful. It's been months and I can't stop thinking about it. I thought the ideas were perfectly present enough if you thought about it. Also, the chili was very good!
Hope it has great success and gets a London transfer
William Eamer omg plsss
Hey Kevin, are you gonna see the company revival when you get the chance?
I WANT TO SEE IT SO BAD! I’m so glad you thought it was good!
Damn straight they should keep the music the same, like that’s Bernstein - don’t touch that shit
So we’re not gonna even acknowledge Amar? Ok.....
Did they keep the song somewhere? I heard it was cut
The ballet sequence is cut, but from what I heard the song is still in there
"...Tony gets fuckin' shot and dies..." I suppose anybody can post criticism on UA-cam, no matter how...inadequate his or her intellectual tools.
Wait it’s called the BROADWAY THEATRE.....
Yikes.
Great eyes!! Looking better and better
I’m confused on what the screen is-is it all filmed and they put it on the screen?
It's not all filmed. They did it live. They had people with cameras running around the stage and had a live feed going to the massive screen. Pretty interesting.
It’s a well worn Ivo van Hove device. If you live in London you would have seen it used countless times in his shows. It may feel fresh in the US - though it was used well in Network - but in London it’s become a total cliche. Much like another London theatre - the Almeida- which is over using setting plays in a glass box. I only this West Side Story is actually fully directed by the Belgian directed: he is so ‘busy’ at the moment he’s been leaving much of the work in Europe to assistant directors.
I was disappointed and I love love West Side Story. The prolog ballet was missing and there was no balcony. How can you sing tonight without a balcony? The 1957 stage version had a balcony so with all the buildings on the screen why not? OBTW I am a WSS purist.
Is it still about Puertoricans?
Ye
But there are a lot of African-Americans playing Jets. I'll pass.
Why the expletives? They Add nothing to the review - a pity
idk how i feel about the jets having a realization about racism. The jets are villainous because they're racist against the sharks. why would they have malice and then turn around and act victimized
imma keep commenting this until you do it: REACT TO SYDNEY AND JASON KATZ LES MISERABLES AND LA REVOLUTION FRANCAISE
Okay really I’m surprised you don’t get the point of officer krupke?? It’s about police brutality?? Like it’s telling about the corrupt racism of cops and their bigotry
Tbh they just kind of took west side story and gave it a network skin
Currently watching this on the toilet 🤠
I saw West Side Story tonight and thought it bastardized the original to the point of idiocy.
Some songs were done completely out of sequence. For example, “Cool” was done before the Rumble where Riff and Bernardo die...WTF? That songs entire meaning is after the rumble scene when they lose Riff. What was also bizarre is Riff sings “Cool” in the show and should have been dead for that song. “Ice” is supposed to sing cool after Riff and Benardo are killed. Blasphemy!
They also perform Officer Krupke, a song that is lighthearted and fun right after the rumble’s death scene. Seriously? They sing the song with blood all over them. Hello?? The director of this show must have been on opioids. On top of all this, no finger snapping!!! Huh?? That is an iconic element. They disrespected a masterpiece!
Michael I think you’re confusing the track list with the movie version. In the actual stage musical, “Cool” is always before the rumble and sung by Riff. Ice was an added character in the film. “Cool” and “Gee, Officer Krupke” switched spots for the film because there would be tonal problems had they stayed in their original spots.
CAN 👏 WE 👏GET 👏 KEVIN 👏TO 👏 ADDRESS 👏 TRISHA 👏 PAYTAS 👏 PLEASE 👏
God what's she done now
@@WhySoCuriousGeorge don't forget me from smash 😭😭
I don’t think I can understand a one act west side story. It seems like a show where an intermission is kinda vital to just take a breath after two main characters die. Even just a quick five minutes to turn on the lights, take a breath, and then jump back in
I heard they cut Somewhere too
Harold Kloran they cut the ballet. The song is still there
I know that you are not held to the same standard as a professional critic but I personally don't think that someone who genuinely loves Broadway would review a show SO far i advance of it's opening night. I don't think that's fair or ethical. That being said, I have NO desire to see this production. I find the casting of African-Americans as Jets so offensive.
I saw it last week my big problem was Riff was flat several times. Hope he’s gotten better
Mark Asch idk what u mean Ben cook is the literal definition of talent
I’m seeing it feb 2
No I Feel Pretty?
No thanks!
You know Sondheim has always hated “I Feel Pretty” right? Also it’s purpose is to be a placement for act 2 and this production doesn’t have an intermission 😂
Who cares if Sondheim hates it? The WORLD loves it ... and ... it’s part of the fucking show! The time to remove it would have been during tryouts in 1957! Let’s agree to disagree. The revival sucks and I predict it’ll close quickly after the Wuhan virus quarantine.... if it reopens at all.
❤❤❤❤
spoilers... You're kind of a jerk for telling details that are different. Tony shot, Maria gun.. etc
So they SJW'd the show and added some tech. Yawn. More Broadway virtue signalling. Knowing that, of course they cut "I Feel Pretty," I'm surprised they didn't rework the lyrics of the song to "I am brainy, oh so brainy, my looks aren't important at all...."
I'm a little shocked they didn't make Maria trans or non binary at this point.
Justin M sounds like you’re a bit triggered there, sir.
They probably cut “I Feel Pretty” because they felt for this revival it was irrelevant and would stop the story plus they wanted to keep the story within 1act (48 hours in the time period of the story) with no intermission
No SJW has ever found I Feel Pretty as offensive. In fact, most people are pissed that the song was cut
"SJW", "virtue signalling"... Just curious, when was the last time you went outside?
i really don't think SJWs would consider casting a sexual predator as bernardo sir
This was a terrible production. Modernization is fine if done right but this wasn’t.
The camera man walking around on the stage was such a huge distraction. What the camera man films is projected in the screen behind, but the screen behind has a small “set” inside where the actions of the actors are also projected in the screen. This is such a strange setting that takes away the charm of live performances on stage.
The scene after “Tonight” was also ridiculous. Each gang members pull Tony and Maria to their side which is supposed to be a symbolic gesture, but it just reminded me of Michaelangelo’s painting.
And really....the gangs that have a cell phone is not what I imagined in West Side Story.