Review: Snaps for WEST SIDE STORY at NTPA Repertory

 

West Side Story

Book by: Arthur Laurents

Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim

Music by: Leonard Bernstein

Directed by: Nick Mann

Music Directed by: Ben Barker

Produced by NTPA Repertory Theatre

Associate Produced by Antonio Vega

Audience Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 min intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: 

ASL Showing: Not Available

Sound Level: Loud at times

Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: firearm, gunshot sound effect, violence, knives, death

Reviewed by Ellie Nunemaker

Going into West Side Story at NTPA Repertory, I expected great music and impressive dancing, but I was still surprised by how much the performance drew me in. From the opening scene to the final bow, the cast brought so much energy, emotion, and talent to the stage. The story's themes of love, conflict, and belonging felt just as powerful today as they did when the show first premiered. NTPA Repertory's production was truly heartfelt and a smorgasbord of incredible performances.

West Side Story tells the story of two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, who are constantly fighting for control of their neighborhood in New York City. In the middle of this conflict, Tony, a former Jet, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader. 

West Side Story is one of those musicals that can be done extremely well or extremely poorly, there is no mediocre production of West Side Story. I am pleased to report that Nick Mann, the director, has done a knockout job with this production. Every single beat and moment was lived in and walked through with care and understanding. The direction was only further highlighted by powerhouse Music Director Ben Barker. With absolute delight I sat and cried at “Somewhere” because the ensemble was so tight and together, like one voice. Perhaps one of the greatest and most iconic parts of West Side Story is the choreography.  Paola Rodriguez Torregrosa did an amazing job keeping the choreography engaging and impressive. Rodriguez Torregrosa made Jerome Robbins so proud with this one.

Every element of this show worked together under Mann’s vision flawlessly, my personal favorite elements being the set design by Melissa Winton and the lighting design by Da’Marion Gipson but make no mistake, every single element of this show was simply magnificent. The costumes by Bella Gream created a visual masterpiece dividing the two halves of the show. The fight choreography by Elena Maldonado-Dunn and intimacy coordination by Cheryl Lowber excellently tied the show together in some of its most important pieces.

The cast of West Side Story was practically perfect. Both the female and male presenting Jets/Sharks had a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood that is so hard to fake. There was not a weak spot in either of these ensembles, they are all triple threats and crazily talented. Some stand outs for me included Lucas Lee as A-Rab, Timothy Chong as Snowboy, Avery Soto as Chino, Caroline Eads as Graziella, Nicole Wolf as Consuela and Brody Kostyszyn as Action. If I could watch “Gee, Officer Krupke” on repeat for hours, I would.

On the Sharks side we are led by Manny Gallegos as Bernardo, Gallegos has an intensity in his manner and facial expressions that captures Bernardo so well, not only in his gang but in his love for his sister, Maria, and girlfriend, Anita who is played by Krystal Rodriguez. Rodriguez has all of the energy and charisma that you look for in an Anita. Gallegos and Rodriguez have crackling chemistry and play extremely well off of each other, making every time they are on stage together unforgettable.

On the Jets side, we are semi-focused on Riff played by Nathan Middleton. Riff is Tony’s best friend and co-founder of the Jets. Middleton is ridiculously charismatic and shows off his immense triple threat talent in this role. What most people miss about Riff is the fact that he is also a young naive kid in the way of conflict with the Sharks, Middleton portrayed this aspect impeccably, all of this goes without mention of the fact that he does NOT stop moving until after the rumble. I applaud both Middleton’s stamina and understanding of a character that is so often misunderstood and villainized. 

In the center of all of this is Tony and Maria played by Nick Lama-Riva and Elisa Mato, whose chemistry is probably the sweetest and gentlest I have seen in any iteration of this show. Mato has a soprano that can cut through any audience and win their hearts in an instant. Mato portrays both the innocence and longing of Maria with such ease whereas at the end of the show she takes your heart that she’s won and smashes it on the ground. Lama-Riva is spectacular as Tony, his “Maria” genuinely made the world stop for the duration of the song. Lama-Riva’s performance leaves a stillness in the room that can only be described as transcendent. Mato and Lama-Riva portray peak romance in these roles and take the saying “I would die for you” and run with it. 

At the end of the day, NTPA Repertory's West Side Story is the kind of production that reminds you why theater matters. This production captures everything that has made West Side Story endure for generations while still feeling fresh. It is a beautiful, heartbreaking and expertly crafted piece of theater that I will not forget. If you have the chance to see it, take it. You can get your tickets at ntparep.org/shows/westsidestory

Catch the magic while it’s live!!

Ellie