West Side Story (Stage Experience), Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.
“Stage Experience” returns to the New Alexandra Theatre for their twentieth annual production and and for this anniversary they tackle one of musical theatre’s big guns – “West Side Story”. However, this young cast does it more than justice.
Jerome Robbins’ original production of West Side Story was first staged in 1957 and was a game-changer. Since then we’ve seen numerous musicals come and go. So, nearly seventy years later, the question is – has it stood the test of time. The answer quite simply is yes. The theme of opposing gang culture is as relevant today as it was back then.
The story is one as old as time – boy and girl meet, fall in love, but destiny is against them. It is based on the love story to end them all – Romeo & Juliet (we even get a balcony scene) but it’s not necessarily the story that is the main attraction here. Those honours really go to Leonard Berstein’s stunning score and Stephen Sondheim’s wonderful lyrics.
A young and energetic cast of around sixty tackle the choreography with much exuberance tackling all the styles of dance that this demanding piece demands.
The star-crossed lovers are played by Cree Henson (Tony) and Amelie Newton (Maria). They were a great pairing and their voices are stunning, especially in the “Tonight” duet. Henson also delivered a show stopping vocal on “Maria”. Spine tingling.
A stand-out performance comes from Heaven Okah as the sassy and fiery Puerto Rican Anita. One of the best female roles in musical theatre, Ms Okah brings all the aspects of Anita’s character to life in a performance which belies her age. A highlight is her duet with Maria – “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” which they both perform extremely passionately.
Most of the songs in this show are well known classics but a highlight has to be the “Somewhere” dream sequence which here featured an absolutely beautiful solo from Lucia Lamperez-Beckett. Another audience favourite being the always joyous “Gee, Officer Krupke”.
Director and choreographer Pollyann Tanner once again delivers the almost impossible by staging a full musical in two weeks, especially at this standard. As she said herself, this is her favourite musical, and even though it must’ve been a labour of love she should be immensely proud of the result.
I’ve seen “West Side Story” quite a few times and this production left me feeling very emotional at the end, as well as the rest of the audience who were on their feet.
Stage Experience is the best youth musical theatre you’ll see.
4 stars. A fantastic experience for the cast and audience alike.
