West Side Story directed by Ivo van Hove

5 out of 5 Stars

Great question: Do we need yet another version of West Side Story? Full disclosure – I consider West Side Story to be the greatest Broadway musical of all time – so if this were a middle school production performed in semaphore, my answer would probably be a resounding yes. But let’s go on.

This production is directed by Ivo van Hove, which to me simply means theater completely reinvented. In my opinion, his reimagination of classics (as we saw in his Tony award-winning direction of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and also The Crucible) represents complete genius. However having recently seen a note for note, dance step for dance step production of West Side Story mirroring the original by the Lyric Opera Company in Chicago that pinned the needles of theatre satisfaction, I had concern regarding the very idea of a reinterpretation.

Enter the theater to the curtain-less bare stage and be jolted by the lack of skyline, fire escapes, and streetlights. Is the production possible in an abandoned Ikea? Dada-dah! The music begins and all concerns quickly wash away. What unfolds is the introduction of a cast that has been completely refreshed from the 1950’s white t-shirt, cigarette pack folded in the sleeve crew that we have known over the years. You can leave your time machine home. Everything has been reimagined and it is completely revitalized. Having seen this new vision, I must say it would almost be difficult to go back to the original.

The excellent stars of this production - Shereen Pimentel as Maria and Isaac Powell as Tony

Our characters come from every time, place and orientation. This brings great beauty and newfound accessibility to the cast. This is an example where color-blind, actually ethnicity-blind casting, and its many permutations are taken to new limits that define the story. The literal representation of the sets and scenes has been replaced by a 21st-century version that borders on impressionism yet still remains within the confines of a redefined reality. Without providing spoilers, this production is in many ways definitive. This is theater that is rarely seen.

It may take a song or two for you to make the complete transition to this new rendering, but you will soon become completely enveloped. Everyone is perfectly cast. The magnificent and timeless orchestration is pretty close to a note for note reproduction, which really serves as the anchor to the brilliance of the original.

Shreen Pimentel as Maria, Isaac Powell as Tony, Yesenia Ayala at Anita, Amar Ramasar as Bernardo, and Ricky Ubuda as Indio

My fear that a reinterpretation of perfection was somewhat of an oxymoron and that the essence of the story could possibly be lost was completely unfounded. This is a timeless classic that has undergone a gut renovation with an extraordinary result. Don’t miss this essential version of one of Broadway’s best.

Why we went: “I’ll never stop saying Maria”

Plays and Entrees: We ate pre-theater dinner at MéMé Mediterranean located at 581 Hudson Street in the West Village (there is a second location in the theatre district on 10th and W. 44th). This comfortable and consistent restaurant offers Mediterranean tapas and Moroccan-style entrees and is one of our regular dinner destinations. Favorite choices include the hummus plate with excellent falafel, beet salad, moussaka, sea scallops, meatballs, and tuna tartare. Top-notch margaritas and good service complete the experience.